Around CFB: Growth takes precedence over glory for Georgia

Goals change.

A month ago, the Georgia Bulldogs’ goal was obviously winning a third college football national championship in four years.

They were ranked No. 1 in the nation three weeks into the season.

Then they rallied to escape Kentucky, 13-12.

Then they fell behind Alabama 28-0 and could not fully recover in a 41-34 loss.

Last week, they didn’t look crisp in a 41-31 victory over hapless Mississippi State.

Throw in some costly injuries, a defense that’s uncharacteristically allowing big plays and a sputtering running game, and the Bulldogs are ranked No. 5 entering a vital Southeastern Conference clash with No. 1 Texas.

A loss would put Georgia’s hopes for an SEC championship in serious jeopardy. Their hopes to get into the 12-team College Football Playoff could be tenuous, with archrival Florida, Ole Miss and Tennessee remaining on the schedule.

The Bulldogs’ goals seemed to have gone from glory to just growth.

“(We’re) Looking for an opportunity for us to get better,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart said of the game against the Longhorns. “That’s the most important thing, is can we show some kind of consistent improvement and play more consistent as a team? That’s our goal.”

Surely, the Bulldogs can still aim much higher. But the fact is they’ve hardly resembled the program that dominated college football en route to winning consecutive national championships in 2021 and 2022.

Georgia led the nation in scoring defense in 2021 and was fifth in ’22.

This season, the Bulldogs are 20th — still excellent but not dominant.

Georgia’s championship teams featured powerful running games.

This year, the Bulldogs are averaging a mere 134 yards rushing yards per game to rank 92nd in the nation.

Also, Georgia has already allowed nine plays of 30 yards or more. The championship teams didn’t allow big plays in such volume, especially early in the season against many opponents who are supposed to be overmatched.

A rash of injuries is at least partly responsible. The Bulldogs have played without star guard Tate Ratledge, center Jared Wilson, defensive lineman Jordan Hall and linebacker Smael Mondon Jr., among others.

Quarterback Carson Beck also has been wildly inconsistent. He passed for 439 yards against Alabama but also had three interceptions. He passed for just 160 yards vs. Kentucky and 240 vs. Auburn. But he threw for 459 vs. Mississippi State.

Of course, none of that matters if the Bulldogs put it all together and topple Texas. Beat the Longhorns, and Georgia can remind the entire nation they still have national championship aspirations that are attainable.

But that’s not their goal. Not yet, anyway.

“I want to see them play their best game against Texas,” Smart said. “Simply stated, we have not played our best game. We have not put a complete game together. That’s what every coach’s goal is … to play your best game moving forward. That’s what’s going to be needed to go on the road at Texas and play. We’ve got to play better. That’s the only goal I’m thinking about right now.”

Heisman Watch (If my ballot was due today)

1. Cam Ward, Miami, QB: Although Miami was idle last week, Ward still leads the nation in passing. He has thrown for 2,219 yards and 20 touchdowns in six games. That’s a national-best 369.8 passing yards per game. Ward has also rushed for 161 yards and three touchdowns. Most recently, Ward passed for 437 yards and two touchdowns and led a fourth-quarter rally for a 39-38 victory over Cal.

2. Ashton Jeanty, Boise State, RB: The nation’s leading rusher increased his totals to 1,248 yards and 17 touchdowns. He averages 9.9 yards per carry. Last week, Jeanty rushed for 217 yards and scored a touchdown in a 28-7 victory over Hawaii. It was the third time this season he has exceeded 200 rushing yards. Jeanty has nine runs of at least 50 yards and seven of at least 60.

Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard

Before joining Oregon this season, Dillon Gabriel started his collegiate career at UCF (2019-21) before playing at Oklahoma (2022-23.

3. Dillon Gabriel, Oregon, QB: Gabriel significantly enhanced his candidacy last week by leading the Ducks to a 32-31 victory over Ohio State. In that game, he passed for 341 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 32 yards and a score. Overall, Gabriel has passed for 1,790 yards and 13 touchdowns.

4. Kyle McCord, Syracuse, QB: The Ohio State transfer averages 360 passing yards per game to rank second in the nation. Last week, he passed for 346 yards and two touchdowns in a 24-17 victory over NC State. In leading the Orange to a 5-1 mark, McCord has passed for 2,160 yards and 19 touchdowns.

5. Kaleb Johnson, Iowa, RB: A new entry into the top five. Johnson is second in the nation in rushing. He has gained 937 yards and has 7.94 yards per attempt. In a 40-16 victory over Washington last week, Johnson rushed for 166 yards and scored two touchdowns.

Games to Watch

No. 5 Georgia at No. 1 Texas: Georgia opened the season as the No. 1 ranked team. Texas moved into the top spot two weeks ago. Georgia is heralded for its outstanding defense, but Texas actually has allowed the fewest points in the nation. The Longhorns’ strength of schedule has been questioned. A win over Georgia would remove all doubt that Texas deserves the top ranking.

No. 7 Alabama at No. 11 Tennessee: Archrivals attempting to stay in the thick of the SEC championship race. Alabama’s defense has been more vulnerable than expected. Tennessee’s offense has been less explosive than projected.

No. 24 Michigan at No. 22 Illinois: Who would’ve guessed a clash between defending national champion Michigan and Illinois, which last year didn’t qualify for a bowl game, would be such a high-profile game? At 4-2, Michigan cannot afford another loss. At 5-1, Illinois is still trying to prove it’s for real.

No. 6 Miami at Louisville: In each of the last two weeks, Miami has benefitted from late officials’ calls to avoid upset losses to Virginia Tech and Cal. Both Louisville losses (to Notre Dame and SMU) were by just seven points. The Cardinals have a solid defense to challenge Miami QB Cam Ward. The Cardinals are tough to beat at home, too.

Nebraska at No. 16 Indiana: Even though the unbeaten Hoosiers have won every game by at least 14 points, doubters point out they have not beaten an opponent with a winning record. A win over Nebraska (5-1) would provide some validation. But Nebraska could get validation, too.