For the better part of the last half-decade, the Georgia Bulldogs have dominated college football. With two national championships under head coach Kirby Smart and a consistent pipeline of NFL-caliber talent, the Bulldogs seemed poised to extend their dynasty deep into the 2020s. However, recent developments have left some analysts sounding the alarm bells: Is Georgia slipping from its pedestal?
A respected voice in the college football community has expressed concern that the Bulldogs may be trending downward — not collapsing entirely, but showing signs of regression from their dominant peak. While Georgia remains a top-tier program, cracks may be forming that threaten their supremacy. From roster turnover and recruiting concerns to emerging SEC rivals and shifting national dynamics, there are legitimate reasons for apprehension.
After capturing the national titles in 2021 and 2022, the Bulldogs entered the 2023 season with high expectations. While they finished with a strong record, they missed the College Football Playoff — a stunning outcome for a program that had been seen as nearly invincible. Critics argued that Georgia’s offense lacked explosiveness at key moments, and that the team simply didn’t have the same edge that had propelled them to back-to-back championships.
The inability to secure a third consecutive title wasn’t necessarily a failure — it’s incredibly difficult to three-peat in modern college football. But it raised questions about whether Georgia had already peaked. “This isn’t a collapse,” one analyst noted. “It’s more of a plateau. But in the world of elite college football, a plateau can be a warning sign of decline.”
Georgia has sent more talent to the NFL than almost any other program in recent years. That’s a badge of honor — and a double-edged sword. With 10+ players drafted in back-to-back years, the Bulldogs have seen the core of their championship teams decimated by graduation and early departures.
Although Kirby Smart has continued to recruit well, even elite programs struggle to immediately replace so many NFL-level athletes. Defensive stars like Jalen Carter, Nolan Smith, and Kelee Ringo are irreplaceable in the short term. Offensive stalwarts such as Stetson Bennett, Brock Bowers (expected to leave in 2024), and key linemen have left major holes.
As the analyst put it: “Georgia’s problem isn’t talent; it’s experience and cohesion. When you lose that many veteran leaders in such a short span, the entire identity of a team can shift.”
One of Kirby Smart’s greatest strengths has been his recruiting prowess. He built Georgia into a juggernaut by out-recruiting nearly every other school in the country, often second only to Alabama. However, recent classes haven’t quite maintained that #1 or #2 level. Georgia remains in the top five, but they’ve lost some key head-to-head battles — especially to emerging contenders like Texas and Florida State.
In a world where NIL deals and transfer portal activity are reshaping recruiting dynamics, Georgia’s traditional recruiting machine faces new challenges. “They’re still bringing in four- and five-stars,” the analyst acknowledged. “But they’re losing some of those all-important battles that separate dynasties from just ‘great teams.’”
Moreover, the transfer portal has introduced volatility that Georgia hasn’t fully embraced. While programs like USC, LSU, and Michigan have used the portal aggressively to fill immediate needs, Georgia has been more conservative — and that may be costing them.
Georgia benefited from a relatively weak SEC East in recent years. Florida has been rebuilding, Tennessee has been inconsistent, and South Carolina hasn’t posed a real threat. That easy divisional path gave Georgia a smoother road to the SEC Championship Game. But the landscape is changing.
Tennessee, under Josh Heupel, has modernized its offense and shown the ability to compete at a high level. Florida, with Billy Napier, is reloading quickly with strong recruiting and staff overhauls. And in 2024, Texas and Oklahoma are joining the SEC — two powerhouses with resources and talent that could disrupt the balance of power.
Even Alabama, after a brief downturn, seems to be reloading under new leadership following Nick Saban’s retirement. LSU and Ole Miss have been formidable as well. In short, Georgia’s path is no longer as clear-cut.
“Georgia dominated when the East was soft and Alabama was in transition,” the analyst said. “Now the entire SEC is catching up — fast.”
Kirby Smart has built an incredible program, and his job security is not in question. However, coaching turnover within his staff may be creating instability beneath the surface. Georgia has lost several key assistants in the last two seasons, including offensive coordinator Todd Monken, who was a pivotal figure in developing a more aggressive offense.
While his replacement, Mike Bobo, is a respected figure in Georgia football, there’s concern that the offense has regressed to a more conservative style. Bobo’s play-calling in big games has come under scrutiny, particularly in the SEC Championship loss to Alabama and the bowl win over Florida State, which masked some deeper offensive inefficiencies.
“If Georgia wants to stay on top, they need innovative thinkers — not just loyal alums,” said the analyst. “Continuity is good, but not if it means stagnation.”
One of the major concerns for Georgia moving forward is the quarterback position. After the departure of Stetson Bennett, who despite his underdog status turned into a reliable and clutch performer, the Bulldogs have been searching for their next field general.
Carson Beck showed promise in 2023 but lacked the dual-threat ability and improvisational skills that are becoming essential in high-stakes games. Georgia’s offense under Beck has been solid, but not electric. With other programs rolling out Heisman contenders at quarterback, Georgia may be falling behind in that department.
“If you look at the top-tier teams — Michigan, Oregon, Texas — they all have elite quarterbacks. Georgia doesn’t,” the analyst said. “That’s a problem.”
Winning changes a program — for better and for worse. After multiple years of being the hunter, Georgia became the hunted. Some insiders have wondered whether the Bulldogs have lost the same edge that drove them to the top.
There’s also the added pressure that comes with being the gold standard. Every opponent gives Georgia its best shot, and maintaining motivation through an entire season becomes harder when you’ve already climbed the mountain.
“It’s not just about talent. It’s about hunger,” the analyst explained. “Nick Saban kept Alabama hungry for over a decade. Can Kirby Smart do the same?”
Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) policies and the transfer portal have transformed college football into something closer to professional sports. Georgia has adapted to these changes but not as aggressively as some of its rivals.
Schools like USC, Miami, and Oregon have embraced high-dollar NIL deals to attract top players, while Georgia has taken a more conservative, program-first approach. This has helped maintain locker room culture but may be costing them elite individual talent.
Similarly, Georgia has not been as active in the transfer portal as other programs, relying more heavily on player development and long-term investment. That strategy has worked in the past, but the new reality of college football may require more flexibility.
“You can’t just build anymore — you have to reload instantly,” the analyst warned. “And I’m not sure Georgia’s philosophy has caught up yet.”
It’s important to note that Georgia is still one of the top five programs in college football. They have the infrastructure, leadership, and resources to remain elite for years. But the idea that Georgia is untouchable — that their dynasty will roll on unchecked — is being questioned for the first time since 2020.
Every great program hits a crossroads. Alabama did in the early 2010s and again in the early 2020s. Clemson’s dominance waned after a few years on top. Ohio State has had its own ups and downs. Now it may be Georgia’s turn to answer the hard questions.
Can Kirby Smart adapt his program to the rapidly changing landscape? Will Georgia modernize its offensive philosophy? Can they keep pace in recruiting and transfer activity? And, perhaps most critically, can they rediscover the edge that made them champions?
The Bulldogs aren’t collapsing — far from it. But the trend lines matter, and for the first time in years, they aren’t all pointing up.
