It could arguably be a major blow if we were playing Alabama and lost yet again. Given that Alabama was knocked out of the playoffs for the first time ever, this year feels more like one where there is a lot of tough competition in the SEC. I don't think a loss in such an environment would be a major step back, especially considering our muddling offense all season long.

It's true our defense gave up a lot of late points. However, in both those championship games, you could say the collapse was as much due to our lack of offensive production late in the game. Considering our offensive woes this season, this game is as much one last chance for our offense to get redemption as anything else.

Awwww doesn’t work.

Yeah, I forgot to add the cheesy grin emoji. Here ya go...

I'd be perfectly happy to see Saban right the ship -- beginning on Sept. 20, 2020.

I do wonder where Georgia would be ranked if we had squeaked by SC with an overtime win. I'd guess we'd be no higher than third -- Ohio state has enough wins vs ranked opponents and our muddling offensive performances would be an anchor. Then, if we lost to LSU in the SECCG and Ohio State and Clemson both won, the real question would be whether the committee would make a playoff game a do-over of a game that was just played. I kinda think not.

He doesn’t need the money, so the most likely explanation is that he is testing the waters to be a commentator later. The commercial will be used to determine is favorability ratings as in in front of the camera personality.

At least bring some Shakespeare. Would “methinks the Bulldog doth protest too much” really be that hard?

But soft! What light through yonder window breaks? It is the East, and Tua is the sun! Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon, Who is already sick and pale with grief That thou her opposing QB art far more fair than she.

The wins definitely would be a factor, but if our offense is muddling through the regular season, I think it still would be an issue. I'm glad we still control our own destiny, though. Also, while people are jumping on Coley's case they way they did with Cheney, I think it's time to put the blame higher up the chain of command. I hope Kirby starts to get away from this conservative rut that he appears to be in.

For sake of argument, lets say Georgia had scored just enough to beat South Carolina in regulation play. I think we'd still be number 4 in the playoff rankings, and if we finished the season with only 1 loss to LSU, I wouldn't be surprised to see us left out of the playoff. It would depend on what happened elsewhere, of course, but I could totally see it.

It doesn't matter who pays the players. The issue is that pro leagues are using college sports as a farm system. I'm not making a Title IX argument (and I'm not saying you are in your response -- I'm just acknowledging that aspect of the posts and replies in general). I'm saying that the whole "pay the players" discussion is often presented in general terms, when the issue is really specific to football and basketball. In most other sports, you could pay the players the kind of money made by part-time student employees of a university, and the players likely would be happy. That wouldn't be enough for the big money sports.

Since the author raised the issue, let's consider the details of paying college athletes. Are we going to compensate the athletes whose sports don't bring in a lot of money at the same level that we do for athletes in big-money sports? Most people would say no. This underscores a simple point -- the solution is for the NFL and NBA to set up their own minor league systems and to quit using college sports as a de facto farm team system. That way, players could go be a pro right away and the whole charade of bending admissions requirements, etc., would go away. Of course, this will never happen. The NCAA and the universities aren't going to give up the revenue, and many fans' emotional attachments to their teams will keep them clamoring for the status quo. That leaves the question of how to care for athletes up in the air, but I think it's important to look at the real issue -- the fact that mens' college football and basketball (and, to a degree, women's basketball) are farm systems for the pro leagues who get the benefit without having to run minor leagues of their own.

I’m not saying he’s anywhere near a hot seat. What I am saying is losses like this are unacceptable. We were at home at we have all the tools we needed to win. We held SC’s offense to 10 points through regulation play. Smart’s predecessor was the winningest coach in UGA’s modern era by win percentage. That’s the bar he has to beat. He’s doing it for now, but he needed to take care of business.

And Kentucky’s prize is the game against the freshly pissed off UGA team. Enjoy.

Kirby better realize that losing games we should win is the crap that got his predecessor canned. Yes, the Gamecocks have talent, but no way Ga. should lose at home like that.

If we had won I was planning to say that we got bailed out by a bad call on our final scoring drive (uncatchable pass) and did not deserve to win. Congrats to South Carolina.

There’s one stat that’s a concern for me — but it involves our offense. We have not scored a touchdown in the third quarter against SEC opponents or Norte Dame. That isn’t going to cut it against better competition.

The headlines for the two articles say it all: reasons Florida "can win" and reasons LSU "beats Florida." I think the Gators have a puncher's chance, but I don't see them overcoming the hostile environment. In fairness to Florida, I'll also admit that I thought Auburn would win last week. It'll be an interesting one to watch.

We’ve done the black uni thing. Sometimes it’s great, others, not so much. When you lose wearing the special uniform it adds a bit of zing to the sting.

For Fla. to win, they’re going to have to play all-out. Whether they pull off the win or not, it’ll be great to have all the game tape on them.

This one was pretty awesome. And for all the Tennessee fans feeling picked on, search "SEC Shorts - Georgia fans have their hard lives filmed in a nature documentary."

I'm glad to see our run defense doing so well thus far, especially since our front 7 group was pegged as an area of concern in the preseason. It'll be good to have them tested again on Saturday.

Whoever wins Fla.-LSU next week deserves to leapfrog Ohio State.

It’ll be really interesting to see what happens. Was the Maurer start an attempt to spur Guarantano to better production on game day, or is Tennessee really going to make a change? If Maurer does in fact take over, I’ll be curious to see how he develops. He had some nice touch on throws and definitely seems to have potential.

Three takeaways: 1. Our secondary was seen as a strength at the start of the season, but our run defense is getting top marks so far. Maybe that’s just due to the level of competition to date, but it’s still interesting. I hope our strong run defense continues. 2. For all the talk of the slow start, I’m more concerned about the lack of offensive production in the third quarter. In games against Vandy, Norte Dame and now Tennessee, we haven’t scored more than a field goal in the third. That won’t cut it against a better offense. 3. It seems like our coaching staff, particularly our new OC, are learning more each week about how to use this team to best effect. Hopefully, the upward trajectory continues with manageable home games in the next 2 weeks.

This year’s Georgia-Florida game is getting to be a more interesting matchup, but I still see Auburn as our toughest remaining game due to the Jordan Hare factor.

We actually scored a touchdown on our opening drive, but then bogged down. Definitely need to do better early on. Also, we didn’t score a touchdown in the third quarter... Need to come. Out stronger after the break.

Tennessee’s freshman QB had me nervous for a while there, but it was great to see our defense step it up. Go Dawgs!

Wow, not what I expected at all. Is it time to throw Gus under the bus yet?