ESPN’s SP+ reveals post-spring ranking for Georgia football

The Georgia Bulldogs have solidified themselves as a modern-day college football dynasty. Back-to-back national titles in 2021 and 2022, a near miss in 2023, and one of the most talent-rich rosters in the nation have made Kirby Smart’s program the gold standard in the sport. So, when ESPN’s Bill Connelly released the post-spring SP+ rankings, it was no surprise to see Georgia near the top—yet what it reveals goes beyond simple placement. It tells a story about sustainability, evolving identity, and what lies ahead for the Dawgs in 2025.

Before diving into Georgia’s place in the rankings, it’s important to understand what the SP+ metric actually measures. Created by ESPN’s Bill Connelly, SP+ is an advanced analytics system that ranks teams based on three key components:

1. Returning Production – How much experience is returning from last season?

2. Recruiting and Recent History – What has the team’s recent performance looked like, and how strong are the last few recruiting classes?

3. Efficiency Metrics – How effective are teams on a per-play basis, factoring in explosiveness, drive success, and field position?

The model is tempo- and opponent-adjusted, meaning it tries to measure teams against a true national standard, rather than just raw stats.

According to Connelly’s post-spring SP+ update, Georgia sits at No. 2 nationally, narrowly trailing Ohio State and slightly ahead of Oregon, Texas, and Alabama. This reinforces what many analysts and insiders have said all offseason—the Dawgs remain elite and are firmly in the thick of the national title race once again.

Let’s break down why Georgia is ranked so highly and what the data suggests about their strengths, weaknesses, and trajectory.

Georgia’s SP+ rating currently sits at +27.4, broken down into:

• Offensive SP+ Rank: 6th nationally

• Defensive SP+ Rank: 3rd nationally

• Special Teams: 8th

This kind of balance is a hallmark of a championship-caliber team. Few programs can boast a top-10 unit in all three phases of the game, and Georgia’s consistency across the board speaks to the elite development pipeline that Kirby Smart and his staff have maintained.

Returning Production: The Dawgs Are Loaded

Despite losing stars like Brock Bowers, Ladd McConkey, and Kamari Lassiter to the NFL, Georgia returns a strong core of experienced contributors. According to ESPN’s returning production metrics, Georgia ranks 28th nationally in returning production—an unusually high number for a blue blood that regularly sends double-digit players to the draft.

Key returners include:

• QB Carson Beck – A dark horse Heisman contender, Beck’s decision to return was monumental. His poise, accuracy, and command of the offense elevated Georgia late last season.

• RB Trevor Etienne – The Florida transfer adds explosiveness to a backfield already featuring veterans like Kendall Milton and Branson Robinson.

• WR Dominic Lovett and TE Oscar Delp – Set to step into starring roles after solid campaigns in 2024.

• EDGE Mykel Williams and LB Smael Mondon – Both are back to anchor a ferocious front seven.

• CB Daylen Everette – A rising star in the secondary expected to become the next great Georgia corner.

This depth and returning experience give Georgia one of the most balanced rosters in the country.

The SP+ offensive ranking of 6th speaks volumes about Georgia’s evolution under offensive coordinator Mike Bobo. Once viewed as a run-first, grind-it-out offense, the Dawgs have transformed into a balanced, explosive unit capable of airing it out with the best.

Carson Beck threw for over 3,900 yards and 24 touchdowns in 2024, doing so with surgical efficiency. His return, paired with improved receiver chemistry and a beefed-up offensive line, gives Georgia an opportunity to be even better offensively in 2025.

Trevor Etienne is a huge addition. One of the most dynamic backs in the SEC last year, his ability to turn routine plays into 40-yard gains will give Georgia a home-run threat they lacked at times.

The offensive line, long a strength under Smart, returns four of five starters and added former five-star tackle Monroe Freeling into the mix. This unit could very well be the best in the SEC.

While the 2024 defense wasn’t quite as dominant as the 2021 or 2022 units, Georgia still finished top five in most defensive metrics. With stars like Williams and Mondon returning, and young talent like Jordan Hall and C.J. Allen ready to step into starting roles, expect this defense to reassert itself as the SEC’s most suffocating.

SP+ has Georgia’s defense ranked third nationally, just behind Michigan and Penn State. The model loves the Bulldogs’ ability to prevent explosive plays, create negative plays, and hold opponents to field goals in the red zone.

Secondary questions remain, particularly at corner opposite Everette, but Kirby Smart has never been short on defensive back talent. Names like Julian Humphrey, A.J. Harris, and true freshman Ellis Robinson IV will compete for starting roles.

Georgia’s linebacker room remains elite, with Mondon joined by Raylen Wilson and C.J. Allen, who flashed brilliance as a true freshman. The EDGE rotation is deep, with Marvin Jones Jr., Darris Smith, and incoming freshman Justin Greene expected to play big roles.

One of the major advantages Georgia has in the 2025 season is its manageable schedule. The Bulldogs avoid Alabama in the regular season and get key games at home, including a highly anticipated clash with Texas in Athens.

Here are some key matchups:

• Sept. 13 vs Texas – A potential top-five matchup and early CFP preview.

• Oct. 11 at Ole Miss – Lane Kiffin’s Rebels could pose a trap in Oxford.

• Nov. 1 vs Florida (in Jacksonville) – The rivalry remains a must-win.

• Nov. 22 at Tennessee – Neyland Stadium is never an easy place to play, and the Vols should be improved.

With the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff in 2025, Georgia’s path to the postseason becomes more forgiving, though Smart will expect nothing less than a first-round bye and top-four finish.

Let’s take a brief look at how Georgia stacks up against the other top-five teams in SP+:

This suggests Georgia’s position is no fluke. While they’re not necessarily head-and-shoulders above the competition like they were in 2021, they remain a juggernaut with national championship potential.

SP+ does a great job quantifying talent, experience, and efficiency. But it doesn’t fully account for culture, coaching, or championship experience—and that’s where Georgia shines brightest.

Kirby Smart’s program is not just talented—it’s disciplined, battle-tested, and well-coached. Georgia plays a physical brand of football that wears down opponents and dominates fourth quarters. The Dawgs rarely beat themselves, and in close games, they consistently find ways to win.

Additionally, Athens has become the SEC’s premier player development factory. The pipeline from 5-star recruit to NFL starter runs directly through Sanford Stadium.

As the 2025 season approaches, Georgia football finds itself exactly where it wants to be—among the top-tier contenders, loaded with experience, and driven by unfinished business after missing out on the 2024 national championship.

The SP+ ranking validates the Bulldogs’ status as elite. But more importantly, it outlines a roadmap to another potential title run, showcasing how Kirby Smart has built not just a team—but a machine.

Can anyone stop them? That remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: if Georgia stays healthy, plays to its potential, and wins key matchups, another trip to the College Football Playoff—and possibly the championship podium—feels not just likely, but inevitable.