Since locking up the SEC East, Georgia has been in “win and get in” mode. Winning out, including a victory in the SEC Championship Game, was thought to be the Bulldogs’ only path to the College Football Playoff since the loss at LSU. ESPN “College GameDay” researcher Chris “The Bear” Fallica says the Dawgs may no longer need the first part.

Appearing on “The Paul Finebaum Show,” Fallica argued that a loss to Alabama might not be enough to move Georgia down in the selection committee’s rankings.

“If Georgia right now is one of the four best teams why should they be penalized for having to play Alabama in the SEC Championship Game? If they lose, it doesn’t mean they aren’t one of the best four teams.”

Georgia moved up to No. 4 after previous No. 4 Michigan lost to arch-rival Ohio State.

Presumably this scenario is only in play if fellow one-loss teams No. 5 Oklahoma and No. 6 Ohio State also lose their conference championship games. No. 8 UCF, undefeated, also plays Saturday for the AAC title.