Georgia Football

ESPN's Rece Davis: Kirby Smart, Georgia Bulldogs "Put a Hobnail Boot in (Tennessee's) Face

By Dean Legge

November 9, 2022

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ATHENS - Kirby Smart and his No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs may be on the way to Mississippi State this week, but ESPN’s Rece Davis said the Dawgs are in the midst of changing the guard in college football for good.

Davis, who is ESPN College Gameday’s host, said Georgia’s 27-13 win over the formerly No. 1 Tennessee Vols was more than a clash between two top-ranked teams. He said Georgia sent a message.

“While Georgia is the reigning national champion. I think the real changing of the guard in terms of the current standard bearer at this time is Georgia,” he said. “Georgia did what Alabama has built their reputation on doing - a challenger came into their place, and they put a Hobnail Boot in their face. They put them back in their place by Georiga standards. They dominated them physically.”

The Dawgs took a 24-3 lead into the half, and watched as rain poured down on Sanford Stadium, which was at full capacity for the entire event. The Vols managed only one touchdown against Georgia - meaning two of the top-scoring teams in college football have scored a total of 16 points against UGA in two games (UGA 49, Oregon 3).

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If Georgia maintains an undefeated season, they will host the No. 4 seed in Atlanta at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl on New Year’s Eve. ESPN will broadcast that College Football Playoff Semifinal, but the times for each game will be determined later. The early kickoff will be at 4 PM EST with the second semifinal at 8 PM EST.

“There was a shift in the standard bearer in college football - it was moving in that direction starting with that national championship game in Indianapolis,” Davis continued. “But it culminated on Saturday. Georgia is now the program, in this moment in time, against who everyone else tries to measure themselves.”

Alabama, Georgia’s foe in Indianapolis fell on the final play of the game at LSU. The Tigers now control the SEC West with only a few games remaining. The Tide have played four games that have been determined on the final play of the game - going 2-2 in those contests.

Davis was talking with Paul Finebaum when he expressed his view of Alabama and UGA.

“Just hearing that - even though most of us have believed it - is a little chilling,” the Finebaum commented.

Davis hedged, however, that the Dawgs still have more work to do.

“Georgia still need to win some more championships and do this for another decade or so before we call them a dynasty,” he said.