All good things come to an end. And after Jalen Milroe dismantled Georgia's All-American defense, the Bulldogs' reign of terror — which stretched 29 games and two national championships — met its demise.
Now comes the hard part for CFP voters. Has Georgia done enough to secure a spot in The Big Dance?
Head coach Kirby Smart certainly thinks so. The face of the Bulldogs' program had his say on Georgia's playoff chances after its defeat on Saturday. And although things are tight at the top, Smart and Co. feel they have earned the benefit of the doubt as they search for a third-straight national title.
BENDER: Will the SEC get squeezed out after Alabama's win over Georgia in SEC title game?
"Simply, it's the best four teams," Smart said. "Simply, if you're going to tell me that somebody sitting in that committee room doesn't think that Georgia team not one of the best, I don't know if they're in the right profession."
Kirby Smart makes his case to the playoff selection committee. pic.twitter.com/fTZPflb9mi
— Andy Staples (@Andy_Staples) December 3, 2023
There's a lot of reason to believe the Bulldogs are deserving of a spot in college football's grandest stage. They were the standard-bearer for college football's premier conference, vanquishing four ranked teams in their eight regular season conference games. Not only did they win those matchups. They steamrolled them: Georgia bested its top-25 foes by a combined score of 171-61.
MORE: Jalen Milroe's MVP performance in SEC title game boosts Heisman case
"It's a really good football team, it's a really talented football team, it's a really balanced football team," Smart said. "[The selection committee] has to make that decision. But it's the best four teams."
The key question at present is whether Georgia's resume is enough to stay within the top four after a field goal loss to Alabama. No No. 1 team has ever fallen out of the bracket on championship weekend.
Smart put his best foot forward. Now, all he and his players can do wait and see what comes next.
