"Too Early Rankings" Put Dawgs Back in Playoff in 2019
ATHENS - According to at least one outlet, Georgia is poised to return to the College Football Playoff in 2019.
Athlon has Georgia No. 3 behind Clemson and Alabama it its “way-too-early" Top 25 rankings for 2019.
“Kirby Smart’s team is loaded for another run at Alabama in the SEC. Jake Fromm returns after a standout sophomore campaign, with Jeremiah Holloman, Riley Ridley (potential NFL early entrant), Mecole Hardman and Demetris Robertson rounding out a strong receiving corps. As usual, Georgia is stocked at running back. D’Andre Swift will contend for All-America honors, while Elijah Holyfield (potential NFL early entrant), Brian Herrien, James Cook and Zamir White are also in the mix. Center Lamont Gaillard is a big loss, but the offensive line should be among the best in college football. Georgia’s retooled defense ranked near the top of the SEC in 2018 and will be elite once again in ’19. All-America cornerback Deandre Baker is a big loss, but Eric Stokes and Tyson Campbell are a good duo to build around at the position, plus the secondary could get a boost if J.R. Reed returns for his senior year. End Jonathan Ledbetter and linebacker D’Andre Walker leave big shoes to fill in the front seven. However, lineman Jordan Davis and linebacker Monty Rice are two promising players to lean on, and there’s a cast of talented recruits waiting to step up. The Bulldogs host Notre Dame on Sept. 21, with other key games against Kentucky, Missouri and Texas A&M coming at home. The toughest road test is on Nov. 16 at Auburn, along with the annual neutral-site affair against Florida on Nov. 2.”
The Dawgs might be highly ranked, but they have a challenging schedule in front of them - as always.
Athlon ranks Auburn at No. 23, Missouri at No. 20, Notre Dame at No. 11, Texas A&M at No. 10 and the Gators at No. 7. Georgia’s presumed foe in the SEC Championship Game would be No. 1 Alabama. That would mean Georgia would face six top 25 teams this fall. The Dawgs faced seven in 2018.