The Georgia Bulldogs and head coach Kirby Smart have been recognized as the new benchmark in college football by one analyst.
For over a decade, the Alabama Crimson Tide and head coach nNick Saba were seen as the gold standard in college football. With multiple titles, numerous playoff appearances, and top-tier recruiting, Saban’s Alabama achieved it all. However, with Saban no longer coaching, the search for the new standard in the sport has begun, and one analyst has already made his pick.
Despite Alabama’s long-standing dominance, Georgia has arguably set the standard since 2020. With two national titles, a conference championship, dominance in the NFL draft, and an unbeaten regular season record since 2020, college football analyst Joel Klatt now considers Georgia and Kirby Smart as the new benchmark.
Klatt stated, “I would argue that the new standard in college football, even with Michigan as the defending national champion, is Georgia. They’re the program that remains intact, boasting a recent national championship and a 29-game win streak. They were just a few plays away from making the playoffs and pursuing a three-peat.”
Klatt further emphasized Smart’s role, saying, “Kirby, at this point? I think it’s safe to say he is the standard in college football.”
With the expanded playoff system starting this season, Georgia has multiple opportunities to compete for the national title. Under Coach Smart, the Bulldogs have consistently finished in the top 10, making it likely they will continue to be a top-12 team. There is also speculation about further expanding the playoff in the near future.
While Georgia’s current success may not match Alabama’s under Saban, replicating such a run is nearly impossible. Nevertheless, with Coach Smart at the helm, the Bulldogs have the chance to establish a memorable dynasty that will be talked about for years. Achieving this, however, remains a significant challenge, and fans will see just how tough it is to win a national title under the new format this year.
