SEC Network analyst Matt Stinchcomb hears it all the time, and he even laughs when talking about it.
"You see teams say, 'Hey, we want Bama,'" Stinchcomb told Sporting News on Wednesday. “Well, if they are already on your schedule, then you don't have to want them because you're going to get them anyway. If they're not on your schedule, then saying, 'We want Bama' is almost a de facto way of saying, ‘We want to play for the SEC championship.’"
MORE: Georgia proves itself top Dawg in SEC
Stinchcomb sees No. 7 Georgia — which continues its season 3:30 p.m. on Saturday against Tennessee at Neyland Stadium — as the logical team in that progression.
Georgia vaulted into the top 10 after a decisive 31-3 victory against Mississippi State on Saturday. Nick Chubb, Sony Michel and D’Andre Swift all average more than 5.0 yards per carry, the defense allows 269.5 yards per game and Jake Fromm has settled in at quarterback for an injured Jacob Eason. That’s not all Stinchcomb noticed when watching film from the victory.
"That offense front asserted itself, against a challenging — what was thought to be challenging anyway — defensive line that was committed to stopping the run," he said.
Stinchcomb had already seen an early-season turning point before Georgia's victory against Mississippi State, however.
"I think the big victory for Georgia was Notre Dame," Stinchcomb said. “To win on the road with a true freshman quarterback. A guy that was forced into service into injury, and to survive it. To play poorly at times, turn the ball over and come away with a big victory on a big stage gave this team the confidence it needed to do what it did against Mississippi State."
WEEK 5 PICKS: Straight up | Against the Spread
Georgia now enters a rivalry game against Tennessee, one the Volunteers won 34-31 on a Hail Mary last season. It’s the next step for the Bulldogs in their quest to get back to the SEC championship game — the last time a 32-28 thriller against Alabama in 2012.
"If Alabama wins the West Division, which isn't a lock but it sure looks likely, then Georgia can earn the right to play Alabama," Stinchcomb said. “If they can avoid over-confidence and a quarterback controversy, then they look like the best team that would be aspiring to win that East Division."
Stinchcomb, a former Georgia offensive tackle, continues his work with the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, which has honored student-athletes for their good deeds off the field. Fans can learn more about those athletes here.
Stinchcomb pointed to the SEC influence on those teams.
"It's had more players than any other conference recognized on the national Good Works Team with 71 now," Stinchcomb said. “Those are all pieces that are important to be told these days. This Good Works Team is making a point to recognize these young men, and that's important given where we are at today."
