More fans watch Georgia football than any other CFB team
The 2024 SEC champion Georgia Bulldogs dominated the Nielsen ratings as the most-watched football team of the year, thanks to a schedule packed with top-25 matchups.
Georgia averaged 8.6 million viewers per game, significantly outpacing the Ohio State Buckeyes, which ranked second with 6.8 million viewers. The Alabama Crimson Tide had (6.6 million viewers per game), the Texas Longhorns (6.4 million), and Tennessee Volunteers (5.4 million) completed Nielsen’s top-five list.
Georgia’s marquee matchups contributed to these high numbers. Alabama and Texas both saw ratings boosted by hosting the Bulldogs. The SEC championship game, where Georgia defeated Texas, drew a staggering 16.6 million viewers with peaking at 19.7 million viewers. More people watched the SEC championship than any other all Power Four conference championship.
Other standout games included Georgia’s October victory at Texas, which garnered 13 million viewers, and their late September loss at Alabama, which 12 million fans viewed.
Georgia football’s 2025 schedule dropped on Wednesday night and there are plenty of marquee matchups for the Bulldogs next season (especially at home).
SEC analyst Paul Finebaum was not happy with Kirby Smart’s comment to SEC commissioner Sankey.
Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart is known for being outspoken. After Georgia’s victory over Texas in the SEC championship, that outspoken side of him showed when he took a shot at SEC commissioner Greg Sankey.
“It means rest for a team that Greg Sankey and his staff sent on the road all year long,” Smart said. “We get to take a little bit of a break and get ready for the College Football Playoff. This team needs some rest mentally, needs a little time off.”
Georgia has played a tough schedule on the road this year. Both of the Bulldogs losses came against Alabama and Ole Miss on the road, and the Bulldogs’ first game against Texas was also on the road.
Sankey did not appreciate the shot. Cameras showed him scowling at Smart after the comment. SEC football analyst Paul Finebaum didn’t appreciate it either.
“I think everybody knows my affinity for Kirby Smart, but I, frankly, thought he was out of line for blasting the commissioner standing right next to him, presenting the trophy,” Finebaum said on Monday. “What was the point of taking a cheap shot at the commissioner of the SEC who did not do that schedule?”
“… For Kirby Smart who rarely makes an error, I thought it was really below the belt. Can you not say that without calling out the guy next to you who’s handing out the championship trophy?”
For what it’s worth, Georgia will play Ole Miss, Alabama, and Texas at home in 2025. Still, judging by Sankey’s body language, the SEC commissioner was not happy about the comment.
The Bulldogs could be looking for a quarterback addition via the transfer portal. Gunner Stockton will have a chance to audition for UGA’s starting role in the College Football Playoff, but he has zero career starts. We would not be surprised if Georgia looks for a more experienced option for the 2025 season.
Also, it should be noted that Carson Beck could return for the 2025 season. Before his injury, he was widely projected to enter the 2025 NFL draft.
Here are five quarterbacks Georgia could target:
Jackson Arnold
Nov. 30, 2024; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Jackson Arnold (11) passes over the LSU Tigers line during the first quarter at Tiger Stadium. Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
Arnold entered the transfer portal after a rough passing season at Oklahoma. On3 predicted him to land with the Mississippi State Bulldogs, but the recruiting site also mentioned Georgia and Alabama as probable destinations. Arnold would be behind one of the best offensive lines in the country, unlike in Oklahoma, where the offensive line was porous as the result of injuries.
The former five-star threw for 1,289 yards, 12 touchdowns and three interceptions, but he was sacked 34 times and had a QBR of just 48.0.
Conner Weigman
Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images
Georgia could target another SEC quarterback this year. Conner Weigman had a great deal of hype at Texas A&M coming into the year, but he was underwhelming with the Aggies, finishing with just 819 yards, three touchdowns, five interceptions and a 52.1 QBR.
The former five-star is a sophomore, so if Weigman goes to the Bulldogs, he could be a developmental project for Kirby Smart and Mike Bobo.
Kaidon Salter
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Salter has the best stats of any of the top quarterbacks in the transfer portal, but he doesn’t have much experience against Power Four opponents. In Liberty’s 2023 bowl matchup against Oregon, he threw for 126 yards, a touchdown and an interception on 24 attempts.
Still, Salter has had a spectacular statistical career with Liberty, with 5,887 yards, 56 touchdowns, and 17 interceptions in his four years with Liberty. He also has dual threat ability, with 2,013 yards and 21 touchdowns on the ground.
Salter originally signed on with Tennessee in 2021, but Tennessee dismissed him from the program.
Miller Moss
Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
Moss could be Georgia’s most surefire choice out of the transfer quarterbacks. Unlike Arnold and Weigman, who have struggled, Moss played decently with USC.
In 2024, he threw for 2,555 yards, 18 touchdowns and nine interceptions in his first year as a starter. He was benched in November for Jayden Maiava, but it’s more likely that it was due to Lincoln Riley trying to light a spark than Moss’s actual play.
There are a number of teams chasing Moss, including Michigan and Auburn, but Moss would fit well in Georgia’s system.
Injury update on Georgia football punter Brett Thorson, who has been ruled out for the season with a knee injury
Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Carson Beck wasn’t the only key Georgia starter to suffer an injury in the SEC championship. Punter Brett Thorson, while defending a punt return, suffered a knee injury to his non-kicking leg. The injury may have contributed to Georgia calling a fake punt later in the game against Texas.
Unfortunately, his injury will take him out for the rest of the 2024 season. He will have knee surgery on his non-kicking leg.
“Punter Brett Thorson sustained a knee injury to his non-kicking leg in Saturday’s contest and will require season-ending surgery,” said Georgia in a statement.
“Carson and Brett are both fierce competitors and extremely hard workers,” coach Kirby Smart said. “I’m confident they will attack their rehab with the same determination they exhibit in their daily habits. We will be here to support them every step of the way.”
Thorson is one of the best punters in the nation. He was one of the three finalists for the Ray Guy Award for the nation’s top punter. He averages 47.6 yards per punt, with a long of 60 yards. He’s punted the ball inside the 20 yardline 22 times.
After Carson Beck left the game due to injury, Gunner Stockton played the game of his life. Trevor Etienne made an emphatic return from a rib injury. The offensive line’s run-blocking was amazing, especially Tate Ratledge, who was a member of Pro Football Focus’s all-national team for conference championship week.
The Georgia pass rush wreaked havoc on quarterback Quinn Ewers and the Longhorns offense, causing Ewers to throw two picks to Daylon Everette, who, according to PFF, was the best defender of the week.
Unfortunately, there were some underperformers. Monroe Freeling had his worst day as a blindside blocker. He allowed the pressure that caused Carson Beck’s injury. Dillon Bell and Dominic Lovett were underwhelming again, and Dan Jackson missed three tackles.
HIGHEST AND LOWEST PFF GRADES FROM THE GEORGIA OFFENSE AND DEFENSE VS. TEXAS
Joel Klatt’s top 10 college football rankings are out after conference championship weekend
Fox Sports college football analyst Joel Klatt released his top 10 college football rankings after conference championship weekend.
Of the championship games, none was more anticipated than Georgia-Texas in the SEC. The game was a defensive duel: Texas held a 6-3 halftime lead.
Georgia looked down and out when Carson Beck suffered an injury that took him out of the game, but the UGA rushing offense came alive. Texas countered with a strong passing game and the two teams went to overtime tied at 16. The Longhorns kicked a field goal on their drive, but the Bulldogs scored a touchdown to win, 22-19.
Georgia slides up to No. 2 in Klatt’s rankings, while Texas falls to No. 6. The Bulldogs earned a first-round bye and the No. 2 seed for winning the SEC; Texas hosts Clemson in the first round.
A pair of playoff bubble teams played in the ACC championship. Clemson dominated SMU, holding a 31-14 lead going into the fourth, but SMU tied the game with 16 seconds left. However, the Mustangs’ special teams allowed a big return and with one play, Clemson moved into field-goal range. Clemson’s kicker Noah Hauser booted the game-winning 56-yard field goal.
The Big Ten championship between Oregon and Penn State was an offensive shootout. Oregon unleashed an excellent offensive game plan, but Penn State never relented. The Nittany Lions had a chance to tie the game late, but the Ducks picked off Drew Allar, sealing the game and the top seed in the College Football Playoff.
The Big 12 championship was not close. Arizona State thoroughly manhandled Iowa State, 45-19. As a result, the Sun Devils are the improbable winners of the Big 12 and get a first-round bye as the No. 4 seed.
Outside of the Power Four, the Boise State Broncos took care of business against the UNLV Rebels, 21-7. The Boise State offense relied on a steady diet from Ashton Jeanty, while the defense shut down UNLV’s offense. Boise State also earns a bye and the No. 3 spot.
The final College Football Playoff rankings were released on Sunday. Oregon, Georgia, Boise State and Arizona get to rest for an extra week. No. 12 Clemson plays No. 5 Texas at home, and No. 11 SMU travels to Beaver Stadium to play the No. 6 Penn State Nittany Lions. No. 10 Indiana and No. 7 Notre Dame play in an in-state rivalry, and No. 8 Ohio State plays No. 9 Tennessee.
Honorable Mentions: Alabama Crimson Tide, Ole Miss Rebels, South Carolina Gamecocks, Clemson Tigers, SMU Mustangs
Here are Joel Klatt’s top 10 teams:
No. 10: Arizona State Sun Devils
Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Record: 11-2 (plus-11.8 average point differential)
Result: Big 12 championship win vs. Iowa State Cyclones 45-19
No. 9: Boise State Broncos
Brian Losness-Imagn Images
Record: 12-1 (plus-17.2 average point differential)
Result: Mountain West championship win vs. UNLV Rebels 21-7
No. 8: Indiana Hoosiers
Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Record: 11-1 (plus-28.7 average point differential)
Result: Off
No. 7: Penn State Nittany Lions
Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Record: 11-2 (plus-17.2 average point differential)
Result: Big Ten championship loss vs. Oregon Ducks 45-37
Georgia wins an 22-19 overtime thriller in the SEC championship vs. the Texas Longhorns.
The No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs (11-2) have played in intense games against tough opponents this year, but none was more important than the SEC championship. Georgia squared off against the No. 2 Texas Longhorns (11-2), a team the Bulldogs beat in the regular season.
In the fourth quarter, Texas tied it at 13 with a 41-yard pass from quarterback Quinn Ewers to DeAndre Moore Jr.. Georgia kicked a field goal, taking the lead with 4:35 left, and the Bulldogs should’ve sealed it with an interception of Ewers with 3:44 left to go. However, Gunner Stockton threw his own interception to give Texas one last shot to drive the field and kick a field goal, which sent the game into overtime tied at 16.
In overtime, Georgia stopped Texas at the 15-yard line, so the Longhorns kicked a field goal. The Bulldogs capped their drive with a Trevor Etienne rushing touchdown to win, 22-19.
This was somewhat a must-win game for Georgia. If the Bulldogs were 10-3, they could’ve risked having to travel in the playoff first round or miss the field entirely. With the selection committee’s decision to leave Florida State out of the playoffs last year partially due to Jordan Travis’ injury, the same fate could’ve happened to Georgia with Beck getting hurt had the Bulldogs lost.
Now, Georgia will get a first-round bye for winning the SEC. This marks the third time in four years Georgia has won the SEC title.
Texas will host a home playoff game, but the Longhorns would’ve been much better off had they received a bye.
HERE ARE FOUR KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM GEORGIA’S WIN OVER Texas:
The Status of Carson Beck
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It was great for Georgia fans to see Georgia win the SEC championship once again, but the status of Beck looms over the playoff possibilities for Georgia. Beck came back to hand the ball off to Etienne for the game-winning score, but his injury status will be something to monitor.
Will Beck be forced to miss a game or the rest of the season? After Beck’s first-half injury, Georgia fans received their first extended look at Gunner Stockton. Stockton made some highlight plays and was a legitimate runner, but he threw a ghastly interception under pressure. Regardless of Beck’s up-and-down season against SEC opponents, he has much more experience than Stockton.
The bye week will be huge for Beck’s recovery, but if he misses time, the Bulldogs will have to rely on unproven options at quarterback. It has worked before for Alabama, so could it work for Georgia.
Trevor Etienne’s presence was much needed
Butch Dill/Getty Images
Regardless of the quarterback play, the Bulldogs were able to rely on a stout running game. The lead back was Etienne, who put on a stellar performance of 122 total yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner, on 21 touches (16 carries and five receptions). Safe to say, he didn’t appear affected by the rib injury that kept him out the past three games.
Etienne’s presence allowed Nate Frazier to be an effective change-of-pace back. He accrued 47 yards on six carries.
Georgia’s front seven was electric
Brett Davis-Imagn Images
In Georgia’s last matchup against Texas, the front seven was the story of the game. The Bulldogs produced seven sacks and forced four turnovers in the Week 8 matchup. Georgia allowed 29 rushing yards on 27 attempts.
With Texas’ standout tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. ruled out, the script was similar in this game. Georgia racked up six sacks of Quinn Ewers. While the passing game was pretty effective for Texas, the Longhorns’ running game was stifled again. Georgia allowed Texas to gain 31 rushing yards on 28 attempts.
Daylen Everette had a legacy game
Butch Dill/Getty Images
Daylen Everette was also a big story from Georgia’s Week 8 game against Texas. He had a forced fumble, a sack and an interception.
This game was similar, except he was best in coverage. He picked off Ewers twice, and if it weren’t for Stockton’s interception, his pick could’ve sealed the game. Everette had a legacy game against Texas again. He took home the SEC championship MVP as a result.
Impact players in the Georgia Bulldogs’ 22-19 win over the Texas Longhorns in the SEC championship
The Georgia Bulldogs beat the Texas Longhorns in the 2024 SEC championship thanks to several standout performances. In the 22-19 defensive minded SEC championship win for the Bulldogs, who are the bright spots for Georgia during the Dawgs’ comeback victory?
Quarterback Gunner Stockton
(Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images)
In a game where Stockton thought he was not going to play, he stepped up in the most important game of his career. Stockton was taking what the defense gave him through going 12 of 16 with 71 yards.
He added a rushing dynamic that helped the UGA offense. In the first possession after halftime, he helped dissect Texas’ defense to take the 10-6 lead. In late fourth quarter, he threw a costly interception that turned into a Texas field goal to send the game into overtime. In overtime, he was decisive and showed off his toughness after taking a huge hit from Texas safety Andrew Mukuba.
Trevor Etienne’s injury status was up in the air due a rib injury. Carson Beck left the game with an upper body injury, then Etienne stepped up to aid the comeback. He became the focal point of the offense gaining over 100 total yards and scoring the only two touchdowns for the Georgia offense including the game-winning touchdown in overtime to crown the Bulldogs SEC champions.
“This why you come to Georgia,” Etienne said during his postgame interview. Etienne transferred from the Florida Gators to Georgia during last offseason.
Defensive back Daylen Everette
(Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images)
Daylen Everette has faced an insane amount of adversity during his time at Georgia. He was picked on last season, but was the shut down corner in the SEC championship. He had two interceptions against a very experienced quarterback in Quinn Ewers. Everette has been progressively been getting better this season and played his two best games versus Texas.
Entire front seven
Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Warren Brinson (97) reacts after defeating the Texas Longhorns in overtime in the 2024 SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Brett Davis-Imagn Images
The Georgia front seven made their mark all game. In the previous matchup, they had seven sacks and 10 tackles for loss. In the SEC title game, they accounted for six sacks and 15 tackles for loss against Texas offensive lineman.
The most talented player in this front seven, junior defensive lineman Mykel Williams, played out of his mind with two sacks and two tackles for loss. Another player that showed up big time was senior defensive lineman Warren Brinson with a sack and 2.5 tackles for loss.
The injury occurred at the end of the second quarter with him rolling out trying to heave a pass towards the end zone and unfortunately he was hit by a Texas defensive lineman while he was in his throwing motion. He was laying down for sometime before heading to the locker room for halftime.
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart said at halftime ” We have to take a look at him to see if he can go.”
With Beck being out backup Gunner Stockton is stepping into the quarterback role into a crucial matchup with playoff seeding on the line.
Stockton has been in this offense for the past two years so he has familiarity within the offense.Stockton like Beck has waited his turn to take over the offense now he has his chance within the SEC Championship.
Carson Beck has been ruled out for the remainder of the SEC Championship after an injury he sustained in the first half. pic.twitter.com/zlfbt5hpCb
ESPN’s “College GameDay” team make their predictions on the SEC championship game
ESPN’s “College GameDay” crew has made their SEC championship predictions. Earlier this year, the crew picked the Texas Longhorns would win, but the Georgia Bulldogs proved them wrong in a dominant 30-15 win.
Georgia has a rematch with Texas in the SEC title game. Both teams have gone through more adversity and have made adjustments, so both teams will be completely different from the last matchup.
Former NFL punter and college football expert Pat McAfee called the Dawgs and picked Georgia to win. “Give me Georgia! Welcome to the SEC (Steve) Sark,” said McAfee.
Former Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban predicts that Texas will win. He claims he flipped a coin and it landed on Texas again. Former Michigan Wolverines legend Desmond Howard also predicts that Texas will win the SEC championship.
GameDay guest picker Timothee Chalamet, who is a three-time Golden Globe winner, picked Texas to win against Georgia. Pat McAfee is the only member of the GameDay crew that predicted Georgia to beat Texas.
