ESPN still gives Georgia a good chance to make the playoff

ESPN evaluates the Georgia Bulldogs’ playoff chances after Georgia’s seven-point road loss at Alabama

The Georgia Bulldogs still have a strong chance to make the College Football Playoff after their loss to Alabama. ESPN gives Georgia 72% chance to make the playoff despite the challenging remaining schedule that Georgia faces.

Georgia has the fifth-best playoff odds behind Tennessee (79%), Ohio State (85%), Alabama (91%) and Texas (91%). Georgia has remaining games against Tennessee and Texas, who are both ranked in the top five of the US LBM Coaches Poll. If Georgia wants to win the SEC, then the Bulldogs will have to go on the road and beat Texas on Oct. 19.

Georgia’s next game is against the Auburn Tigers on Oct. 5. Georgia is 3-1 and returns home after playing back-to-back SEC road games.

The Bulldogs and head coach Kirby Smart also have a looming game at the Ole Miss Rebels. Ole Miss has the 10th-best playoff odds (41%) according to ESPN. Georgia is going to need to play more like it did in the second half against Alabama in order to return to the playoff and/or win the SEC.

John David Mercer-Imagn Images

ESPN’s 10 teams with the best playoff chances

  1. Texas (91%)
  2. Alabama (91%)
  3. Ohio State (85%)
  4. Tennessee (79%)
  5. Georgia (72%)
  6. Miami (61%)
  7. Penn State (61%)
  8. Oregon (60%)
  9. Notre Dame (46%)
  10. Ole Miss (41%)

There’s no question the most surprising team on this list is the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Notre Dame has already lost to Northern Illinois and plays an easy schedule, but man, that loss to Northern Illinois does not look good.