Tag: Georgia Football

TV, commentators set for Georgia-UMass game

The Georgia Bulldogs host the UMass Minutemen at 12:45 p.m. ET. Where can you watch the game?

The No. 8 Georgia Bulldogs play the UMass Minutemen at 12:45 p.m. ET on Saturday in Athens, Georgia. The Georgia-UMass game will be televised on SEC Network.

The television commentators for the Georgia-UMass game are Dave Neal, Max Starks, Ashley ShahAhmadi.

Georgia is 8-2 (6-2 SEC) and is coming off a huge win over Tennessee.

UMass is 2-8 lost in overtime to Liberty, 35-34, last week. After the loss, UMass fired head coach Don Brown. The Minutemen will have Shane Montgomery serve as their interim head coach.

“Heard the unfortunate news about (recently fired UMass head coach) Don Brown just recently, and I know Shane (Montgomery, interim head coach) from the past and recruited together on the road and been around Shane before. He’s a tremendous coach, and we look forward to preparing for this game,” said Georgia coach Kirby Smart on Montgomery’s firing.

UMass is without starting quarterback Taisun Phommachanh. In his place, quarterback AJ Hairston played well in the Minutemen’s overtime loss to Liberty.

Georgia is favored by over 40 points against UMass. The Bulldogs finally have an easy game after finishing their SEC schedule. Georgia has won 29 straight games at Sanford Stadium.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

After the UMass game, Georgia plays against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on Friday, Nov. 29.

There’s a new No. 1 in the SEC recruiting rankings

The SEC has six of the top seven recruiting classes in the nation. Where does Georgia’s class of 2025 rank?

(This story was updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy.)

The Georgia Bulldogs now have the top recruiting class in the SEC. Four-star Georgia cornerback commitment Dominick Kelly became Georgia’s 25th commitment in the class of 2025. Kelly reclassified from the class of 2026 to the class of 2025.

It has been a busy few weeks for the Bulldogs on the recruiting trail. Georgia is preparing for the early signing period, which begins Dec. 4. Georgia football and coach Kirby Smart have been pushing to flip a few more recruiting targets. Most notably, Georgia has been offering scholarships to several of the nation’s top quarterback commitments.

The Bulldogs have the third-ranked class in the nation. Georgia recently leaped Alabama, which has lost a few commitments the past couple of weeks.

Update: Georgia now has the No. 1 recruiting class in the nation after four-star edge rusher Chase Linton committed to the Bulldogs.

Recruiting in the SEC is ultra-competitive. The SEC is home to six of the seven top recruiting classes in the country and 10 of the top 20 classes.

2025 SEC football recruiting rankings

Coach Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs have the best recruiting class in the SEC. Todd Kirkland/Getty Images
  1. Georgia Bulldogs (25 commits, No. 2 national ranking)
  2. Alabama Crimson Tide (21 commits, No. 3 national ranking)
  3. Texas Longhorns (23 commits, No. 4 national ranking)
  4. Auburn Tigers (27 commits, No. 5 national ranking)
  5. LSU Tigers (26 commits, No. 6 national ranking)
  6. Tennessee Volunteers (24 commits, No. 7 national ranking)
  7. Texas A&M Aggies (21 commits, No. 9 national ranking)
  8. Oklahoma Sooners (21 commits, No. 11 national ranking)
  9. Ole Miss Rebels (21 commits, No. 15 national ranking)
  10. Missouri Tigers (15 commits, No. 19 national ranking)
  11. South Carolina Gamecocks (21 commits, No. 23 national ranking)
  12. Kentucky Wildcats (20 commits, No. 25 national ranking)
  13. Mississippi State Bulldogs (19 commits, No. 29 national ranking)
  14. Arkansas Razorbacks (23 commits, No. 30 national ranking)
  15. Florida Gators (14 commits, No. 31 national ranking)
  16. Vanderbilt Commodores (12 commits, No. 73 national ranking)

All recruiting rankings are per 247Sports.

UGA back in playoff bracket in latest College Football Playoff rankings

Georgia moved past just two teams (who both lost) in the College Football Playoff rankings after beating Tennessee

The Georgia Bulldogs are back in the College Football Playoff bracket after a statement 31-17 win over the Tennessee Volunteers. Georgia rises to the No. 11 seed and are ranked No. 10.

Georgia moved past Tennessee and BYU, which both lost.

The Bulldogs now have an outside shot at making the SEC championship. They won the Tennessee game due to a solid game from quarterback Carson Beck and five sacks by the group of Chaz Chambliss, Smael Mondon Jr. and Damon Wilson II, who also forced a fumble.

After losing to No. 9 Ole Miss, the Bulldogs temporarily found themselves out of the playoff, and they were in a playoff eliminator against No. 11 Tennessee. Never count out Kirby Smart’s squad.

Georgia showed why it belongs in this bracket. It now has two wins against top 11 teams. Barring an upset loss to either UMass, which just fired its coach, or Georgia Tech, the Bulldogs should make the final bracket when the last playoff rankings come out.

College Football Playoff ranking: Who’s out

First teams out: Tennessee Volunteers, SMU Mustangs

Playoff Committee seeding

No. 1 : Oregon Ducks (projected conference champion)

No. 2: Texas Longhorns (projected conference champion)

No. 3: Miami Hurricanes (projected conference champion)

No. 4: Boise State Broncos (projected conference champion)

No. 5: Ohio State Buckeyes

No. 6: Penn State Nittany Lions

No. 7: Indiana Hoosiers

No. 8: Notre Dame Fighting Irish

No. 9: Alabama Crimson Tide

No. 10: Ole Miss Rebels

No. 11: Georgia Bulldogs

No. 12: BYU Cougars

UGA’s projected CFP opponent

Georgia is slated to play the Penn State Nittany Lions, the No. 6 seed, in the first round on Dec. 20 or 21.

How many teams in College Football Playoff 2024?

For the first time, 12 teams will participate in the College Football Playoffs. There are automatic bids for each of the Power Four conference champions and to the highest-ranked Group of Five champion. The remaining seven slots are given to at-large teams.

When next College Football Playoff rankings come out?

  • Tuesday, Nov. 26: 8 p.m. ET
  • Tuesday, Dec. 3: 7 p.m. ET
  • Sunday, Dec. 8: Noon ET

Kirby Smart provides several injury updates ahead of UMass game

Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart provides injury updates on receiver Dillon Bell, more ahead of UMass game

Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart gave several injury updates on key Georgia players ahead of the UMass game.

“No update on (wide receiver) Dillon (Bell) really, I just ran into him a few minutes ago. He got an ankle sprain, not going to require (surgery), it’s stable,” said Smart. “So, hopeful to get him back, and same with (running back) Trevor (Etienne).’

Georgia wide receiver Dillon Bell left of Georgia’s win over Tennessee with an ankle injury and was seen in a boot during the second half. Bell is expected to miss the UMass game. Trevor Etienne also missed the Tennessee game with a ribs injury.

“Ribs are a painful injury,” continued Smart when discussing Etienne later. Georgia is thin at running back, but if Carson Beck can play well, then it does not matter as much.

“Earnest (Greene) was going to be a game time decision, and he’s still struggling with that arm that he was out there giving everything he had against Ole Miss. Didn’t have complete strength in his left arm, which is hard to use at left tackle. We’re hoping that he continues to gain strength,” said Smart on Georgia left tackle Earnest Greene.

Georgia started Monroe Freeling against Tennessee. The Bulldogs did not allow a sack to the Volunteers’ stout defensive front.

“Micah (Morris) was close to being able to go and might have been in an emergency Saturday, but it’s not completely healthy,” said Smart on offensive guard Micah Morris. UGA started Tate Ratledge and Dylan Fairchild at offensive guard.

“Joenel (Aguero) had a pin, so he got injured in the Ole Miss game. But he’s available to play. But he got a pin put in his hand, his pinky. He was cleared to play but was going to struggle to play in a club… he’s in the same situation this week, but he’s post screw getting put in. So, we think he’s going to be closer to being able to play,” said Smart.

[lawrence-auto-related count=2]

Georgia plays UMass at 12:45 p.m. ET on Saturday, Nov. 23. The Bulldogs are hoping to get a little healthier ahead of their Friday, Nov. 29 game against Georgia Tech.

Former Georgia DL commit picks Florida

Former Georgia Bulldogs defensive line commitment makes verbal pledge to Florida days after decommitting from UGA

Three-star defensive line recruit Stephon Shivers has committed to the Florida Gators a little more than a week after decommitting from the Georgia Bulldogs. Shivers committed to Florida over Vanderbilt.

Shivers, who is a member of the class of 2025, is the No. 489 recruit in the country, the No. 52 defensive lineman and the No. 16 prospect in Tennessee, per 247Sports. Shivers projects to play nose tackle at the next level and is a disruptive run defender.

Shivers originally committed to Georgia in March 2024. The huge three-star defensive lineman plays football for Brentwood Academy in Brentwood, Tennessee. The 6-foot-5, 365-pound lineman was Georgia’s biggest defensive commitment (by size) in 2025 recruiting cycle.

Coach Kirby Smart and Georgia have 25 commitments in the 2025 cycle. Georgia has commitments from a pair of defensive linemen: three-star J.J. Hanne and five-star Elijah Griffin. UGA also has a two commitments from quality edge rushers: four-star Darren Ikinnagbon and five-star Isaiah Gibson. Georgia remains favored to land a commitment from five-star defensive lineman Justus Terry.

Georgia football has the No. 2 recruiting class in the nation and the second-best class in the SEC.

[lawrence-related id=107773,107781]

Florida has the No. 28 recruiting class in the country. The Gators and coach Billy Napier have 15 commitments.

Georgia freshman wide receiver has breakout game against Tennessee

Georgia freshman wide receiver is generating buzz after the Tennessee game

Freshman wide receiver Nitro Tuggle shined in Georgia’s 31-17 win against Tennessee. Tuggle made the most of his opportunities: He caught two passes for 25 yards, a career high.

His 16-yard reception in the opening drive of the third quarter helped ignite the offense on a 12-play scoring drive that helped the Bulldogs regain the lead.

One of Tuggle’s routes drew praise from Georgia’s all-time leading receiver Terrence Edwards. “I love everything about this route/release,” said Edwards via social media.

Tuggle showcased a combination of wiggle and explosiveness that we have not seen in the wide receiver room this year. Now that it is late November, Georgia coach Kirby Smart will say the freshman are not freshman anymore especially if they were early enrollees.

Wide receiver Dillon Bell is trending toward being out for the game against UMass on Saturday. Another wide receiver, Colbie Young, remains suspended indefinitely, so Georgia is without several top receivers and needs young players to step up. Expect Tuggle to receive meaningful snaps early in the game.

Where is Georgia football in ESPN FPI’s rankings after Week 12

ESPN’s Football Power Index gives more respect to Georgia after UGA’s win over Tennessee

ESPN’s FPI (Football Power Index) rankings are out after Week 12’s college football action, which featured some massive turnover in the SEC and the Big 12.

According to ESPN, FPI is defined as “a predictive rating system designed to measure team strength and project performance going forward.” In the FPI, nine of the top 25 teams are in the SEC, including five of the top 10.

The Georgia Bulldogs’ 31-17 win over the Tennessee Volunteers rises them up to No. 5. Georgia now have two wins against teams in the top 10. The Bulldogs have a playoff spot locked up if they win their next two games. Meanwhile, the Volunteers are more than likely on the outside looking in, despite placing No. 9 on this list.

The BYU Cougars stunningly lost last week to Kansas. BYU still has the top conference record in the Big 12, but there are three Big 12 teams above them in the FPI rankings. The Cougars are not in the FPI top 25, so ESPN doesn’t buy them being legitimate contenders.

Another Big 12 team, Kansas State, suffered the biggest fall of anyone on this list, dropping six spots after a rough 24-14 loss to the Arizona State Sun Devils, who are just outside of the top 25. Louisville also dropped four spots after a wild 38-35 loss to 2-7 Stanford where Louisville Cardinals blew a 35-21 lead.

Week 13 features Indiana versus Ohio State, a matchup that will go a long way in deciding the Big Ten championship race. The Hoosiers have been dominant offensively, but Ohio State is their first ranked opponent.

ESPN’s FPI Top 25 after Week 12

Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images
  1. Texas (26.7 FPI)
  2. Alabama (26.6 FPI)
  3. Ohio State (25.3 FPI)
  4. Notre Dame (23.3 FPI)
  5. Georgia (23 FPI)
  6. Ole Miss (22.4 FPI)
  7. Penn State (20.7 FPI)
  8. Oregon (20.6 FPI)
  9. Tennessee (19.3 FPI)
  10. Miami (17.9 FPI)
  11. Indiana (17.7 FPI)
  12. Clemson (15.3 FPI)
  13. South Carolina (14.5 FPI)
  14. Texas A&M (14.4 FPI)
  15. SMU (13.9 FPI)
  16. USC (13.5 FPI)
  17. Louisville (13.4 FPI)
  18. Tulane (13.3 FPI)
  19. LSU (13.1 FPI)
  20. Colorado (12.7 FPI)
  21. Boise State (12 FPI)
  22. Iowa (11.5 FPI)
  23. Iowa State (11.3 FPI)
  24. Missouri (11 FPI)
  25. Kansas State (10.7 FPI)

TV, kickoff time set for Georgia vs. Georgia Tech game

Georgia football hosts Georgia Tech on Friday, Nov. 29. Here’s how Tech has a significant rest advantage over Georgia.

The Georgia Bulldogs will host the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on Friday, Nov. 29, at 7:30 p.m. ET. The Georgia-Georgia Tech game will be televised on the ABC.

Georgia is 8-2 and plays UMass Minutemen on Saturday, Nov. 23, ahead of the Georgia Tech game. The Bulldogs will be at a significant rest disadvantage against Georgia Tech.

Georgia Tech is 6-4. The Yellow Jackets had a bye in Week 12 ahead of their game against the NC State Wolfpack on Thursday, Nov. 21. Georgia Tech will have two extra days to prepare for Georgia.

The Yellow Jackets are Georgia’s last obstacle that could prevent UGA from making the College Football Playoff. Georgia Tech upset Miami, 28-23, in its most recent game and represents a significant threat for Georgia.

ESPN’s matchup predictor gives Georgia an 89.6% chance to beat Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets have give Georgia much more trouble during the Brent Key era and are very motivated to beat their in-state rivals.

Georgia Bulldogs DB commit reclassifies

Four-star cornerback recruit, UGA football commit reclassifies to the class of 2025

Four-star Georgia Bulldogs defensive back commitment Dominick Kelly has  reclassified from the class of 2026 to the class of 2025. Kelly has been committed to Georgia since July.

Kelly is listed at 6-foot-1, 175 pounds and plays football at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. Kelly is the nation’s No. 32 cornerback and No. 35 player in Florida according to 247Sports.

Kelly’s recruitment is one to watch heading into the early signing period after he elected to reclassify. Kelly was committed to USC before he flipped to Georgia over the summer.

The four-star cornerback’s reclassification gives Georgia 25 commitments in the 2025 recruiting cycle. Georgia has the nation’s No. 2 recruiting class behind Ohio State, but the Bulldogs are looking to make a push over the next few weeks. Georgia has a few remaining targets, including five-star defensive lineman Justus Terry.

Kelly is Georgia’s second cornerback commitment in the class of 2025. Cornerback is one of UGA’s top positions of need.

Kelly is no longer a member of Georgia’s class of 2026, which is down to three commitments: wide receiver Vance Spafford, cornerback Jontavius Wyman and tight end Lincoln Keyes.

UMass fires head coach days before playing Georgia

UMass parts ways with its head coach before the Georgia game in what is not exactly ideal timing.

The University of Massachusetts has parted ways with head coach Don Brown ahead of their upcoming matchup against Georgia.

The Georgia Bulldogs kept their College Football Playoff hopes alive with a commanding 31-17 win over Tennessee in primetime last weekend, wrapping up their conference schedule. Now, they shift focus to a non-conference game against UMass. Offensive coordinator Shane Montgomery will serve as UMass’ offensive coordinator following Brown’s dismissal on Monday.

Don Brown began his coaching career in 1982 at Dartmouth and held various defensive coordinator roles at Northeast programs like Yale, Brown, and UMass, where he first joined in 1998. He became Northeastern’s head coach in 2000, staying until 2003, and later led UMass from 2004 to 2008. Brown also worked as a defensive coordinator at Maryland, UConn, Boston College, and Michigan before returning to UMass as head coach in 2022.

Despite an overall head coaching record of 101-71, UMass’s 2-8 start this season led to Brown’s dismissal during his second stint with the program. UMass has already faced two SEC opponents this year, Missouri and Mississippi State, and will now prepare to take on Georgia.

[lawrence-auto-related count=2]

The Minutemen are coming off a heartbreaking loss to Liberty, where they led 20-7 at halftime but ultimately lost in overtime. The program will also begin its search for a new head coach.