Joel Klatt breaks down Georgia’s strength as CFP contender

There seems to be more parity than usual early in the college football season as many teams have an early case as College Football Playoff contenders. But none more than the defending back-to-back national champion Georgia Bulldogs.

College football analyst Joel Klatt broke down this year’s title contenders starting with the Bulldogs, laying out a path for their return to the playoffs and maybe even another national title.

“Georgia’s the most obvious team because they’re gonna be the toughest out in the country,” Klatt said. “This is a team that from a roster standpoint is as good as any out there and they’re gonna have the ability just to continue to get better the entire season because they’re not going to be really tested. So they’re not gonna be required to be at their best really until really the SEC Championship game.”

Georgia’s schedule has been one of the main talking points regarding their season and potential this year, as three of their four opponents so far this season have been from the FCS or the Group of Five level who they’ve beaten handily.

That paired with many believing the SEC as a whole looks a little bit less intimidating than usual this season gives confidence in Georgia’s ability to navigate through their season succesfully.

“And then I probably think it’s the easiest SEC Championship game, at least at this point the way that I’m viewing this year and I think most people are viewing this year, probably gonna be the easiest SEC Championship game to win in the last decade. Say for a couple of years when I remember Missouri won the East a couple of times, I get it, but listen this seems to be a very top heavy conference this year with Georgia at the top,” Klatt explained. “And there’s a lot of questions about all the other teams in this conversation, my question if I were you would be are there any other teams in the SEC that are above the line?”

As it currently stands, four of Georgia’s last five opponents are currently ranked in the top 25. But at the end of the day defeating the Bulldogs, especially when it matters most, presents a challenge to any team in the country given their track record.

“Regardless of the way they’ve played so far, regardless of really anything this year, when the rubber meets the road in a championship environment whether it’s the SEC Championship game, or in a potential playoff game, or in a national championship game you still have to beat Georgia,” Klatt said. “They’re the defending two-time national champion for a reason.”

Georgia being title favorites ‘just because they’re Georgia’ may come across as cliche, but there’s no question that what head coach Kirby Smart has built off the field and been able to produce on the field recently makes them the clear frontrunner in this year’s playoff race.

“They’ve recruited at the height of college football and Kirby has a standard with that program that’s going to be very difficult to beat regardless if they’re the most talented offense or quarterback in the country or not. That’s the toughest out in the country because you gotta go beat them, they’re not gonna beat themselves, and that’s gonna be a very difficult thing to do,” Klatt concluded.