Sports Desk

Before getting to yesterday's Georgia Bulldogs game, let's first acknowledge that those other "neon" dreams of "prime time" victory have come to an end. A good run was made, but it's all over now.

Sadly, the 4-0 Georgia State Panthers football team were beat last night by Troy University, 27-7, losing their first game of the season and dashing their hopes for an undefeated season. The Panthers actually lead the game by 1 point at the half, but Troy shut them out in the second half while scoring 21 unanswered points of their own. That loss, combined with James Madison's 31-23 win over South Alabama, drops Georgia State to 2nd Place in the Sun Belt Conference, East.

Speaking of comeback wins, what the hell happened last night in Central Florida? The UCF Knights were leading Baylor, 35-10, after 3 quarters, but then Baylor scored 26 unanswered points in the 4th and won the game. How in the hell do you give up 26 unanswered points in one quarter after allowing only 10 points in the previous three? While simultaneously not scoring any points in the 4th after getting at least one TD each quarter (three in the 1st)? If I were betting on this game, I would be convinced the fix was in. What is this, the Bahamas Bowl?

But anyway, the undefeated, repeat National Champion Georgia Bulldogs are still ranked No. 1 in the AP Poll, despite struggling to beat unranked Auburn yesterday. Despite trailing Auburn 10-0 at the end of the 1st quarter. Yes, the close call did cost them some First Place votes - they got only 35 of 62 No. 1 votes this week, as opposed to 55 last week (60 in the pre-season poll). But Georgia's second-half response to adversity and their comeback win - especially the performance of QB Carson Beck and TE Brock Bowers - was enough to impress the coaches.

For the record, Georgia has held the No. 1 spot in the poll since October 19, 2022. This is Georgia's 22nd consecutive win and Kirby Smart's 86th win as Georgia's Head Coach (86-15). In an unusual milestone, it's been 666 days since Georgia's last loss (to Alabama in the 2021 SEC Championship Game).

The top 7 places in the poll didn't change from last week. Utah was the big loser in this week's poll, dropping from 10th to 18th after losing to Oregon State, 21-7, last night.

Bonix took the No. 8 spot away from USC with Oregon's win over Stanford, while Heisman-winner Caleb Williams had to rely on some bad clock management by Coach Prime for USC to avoid a loss to Colorado. So Washington at No. 7 and Oregon at No. 8 nicely sets up the big Bonix-vs-Penix game in two weeks (both teams have byes next week to get ready for the showdown). Friendly reminder that the last time these two teams played, Penix took the Magnificent Seven CFP Championship Belts and the Holy Moley Gucamole One True Belt (blessed be its name) away from Bonix.

Kentucky beat Florida, 33-14, yesterday, knocking the Gators out of the Top 25 (good - glad to see them go). But the Wildcats are now ranked No. 20, meaning Georgia will be playing a nationally ranked SEC team next week, an opponent confident they can pull off the upset that Auburn couldn't.

As a matter of fact, EVERY team playing Georgia this season is going to be playing like it's the national championship game. When you're repeat champion with dreams of a three-peat and the No. 1 team for as long as Georgia has been, every team has their date against you circled on their calendar, and every strength and conditioning coach is doing everything they can to make sure their players are healthy and in peak form for the game. It's one thing to get an interception in a game, but it's a whole other thing to intercept a pass intended for Brock Bowers in a Georgia game.

It's gonna be tough every week, and as of now, on top of No. 20 Kentucky, Georgia will face three other ranked opponents, not including the SEC Championship Game and the College Football Playoffs.

November will be particularly grueling. Ole Miss, our November 11 opponent, has moved up four places to No. 16, Missouri (Nov. 4) has moved up 2 places to No. 21, and Tennesssee (Nov. 18) has inexplicably dropped down one place to No. 22, despite beating Spencer Rattler and South Carolina yesterday, 41-20.

I know it doesn't matter who's ranked No. 1 in Week 6 and championships are determined by conference titles and playoff games, but it still feels good to be recognized as the best in the country.