State of Play: Georgia can breathe easy during bye week

Gunner Stockton Georgia — Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) runs into the end zone for a touchdown during a college football game between Tennessee and Georgia at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Sept. 13, 2025.

3-0 sure is better than 2-1, isn’t it?

That’s stating the obvious, but after Georgia’s thrilling 44-41 overtime win against Tennessee, the Bulldogs remain in position where they don’t have to be concerned too much with what happens this weekend.

Georgia also gets to rest and heal with a bye. This will be crucial for the offensive line with next week’s showdown against Alabama looming.

What needs improvement

Georgia’s defense gave up 496 yards against Tennessee, which is quite concerning by itself. When you realize all but the 1 yard Tennessee gained in overtime came in just 21:32 of regulation, it becomes even more stark.

The Volunteers hit explosive play after explosive play last Saturday. Ten plays went 15 yards or longer, five went longer than 20 yards, and three were touchdown throws from 72, 56, and 32 yards away.

Alabama landed one too many explosive plays against Georgia last year. The Bulldogs have two weeks to fix this issue to avenge last year’s defeat.

The gauntlet

Georgia can’t afford to look ahead to who’s next after Alabama. But for those outside of the program, we know the gauntlet is underway, with Georgia needing to minimize any potential damage to keep its College Football Playoff hopes alive.

An upcoming slate of Alabama, Kentucky, Auburn and Ole Miss are ahead before the next bye. Then Georgia gets Florida, Mississippi State and Texas after that.

Kentucky, Florida and Mississippi State may not be ranked but those won’t be easy games. And this doesn’t even mention that Georgia Tech is no longer a gimme game to close the season.

SEC Everest

Chasing the summit: Georgia, Oklahoma, LSU, Texas A&M, Alabama

A camp behind: Ole Miss, Texas, Tennessee

Advanced base camp: Vanderbilt, Missouri, Auburn, South Carolina, Mississippi State

Still standing at base camp: Arkansas, Kentucky, Florida

Games of note

No. 22 Auburn at No. 11 Oklahoma: A resurgent Tigers team will try to knock off Heisman front-runner John Mateer and the Sooners.

Tulane at No. 13 Ole Miss: Tulane is an athletic team that could give the Rebels some problems, so don’t count the Green Wave out. But if Ole Miss gets out in front early, Lane Kiffin may press the gas to prove a point.

Florida at No. 4 Miami: Carson Beck is off to a great start and has a roster around him that should be able go defeat the Gators. But Florida will be playing desperate, and desperate teams can be dangerous.