Georgia nabs largest national title game margin of victory in blowout win over TCU

It’s one thing to dominate the opposition, but it’s another to dominate the opposition on college football’s biggest stage.

Georgia‘s 65-7 win over TCU Monday night wasn’t just the largest margin of victory of any College Football Playoff game in the current era – it was the largest bowl victory in NCAA history, according to ESPN Stats & Info.

The Bulldogs scored 55 straight points after TCU’s lone touchdown in the first quarter. Georgia out-gained the Horned Frogs 589-188 in total offensive yardage and were only able to muster 36 total rushing yards against the star-studded UGA defense.

Georgia is now the only team to win back-to-back national championships during the current CFP era featuring the four-team playoff. They’ve gone 29-1 during their two title seasons, and are looking for the first three-peat in nearly a century. Minnesota is the only program to achieve that feat, winning the title from the 1934 through 1936 seasons.

Kirby Smart reveals amazing pregame message before blowout win over TCU

When ESPN’s Holly Rowe spoke to Georgia head coach Kirby Smart just before kickoff, she asked him how he wanted to play today. His response was simple, giving a one-word “aggressive” before waiting for the next question. 

Smart got more than he asked for, with the Bulldogs dominating from start to finish against TCU. The touchdown drive was the only time the Horned Frogs seemingly had any life. Georgia was aggressive for all four quarters and will leave the west coast as back-to-back national champions.

Even so, Smart told his team that there would be a chip on their shoulder all year leading up to the title game. He revealed his pregame message just before lifting the CFP trophy, saying Georgia was going to be hunting — not be hunted.

“We wanted our kids to play without fear,” Smart said. “And all year, I told them ‘we ain’t getting hunted, guys. We’re doing the hunting. And hunting season is almost over. We only got one more chance to hunt.’ We hunted tonight.”

No matter which way you look at things, Georgia was the one out there with a chip on their shoulder. Even with a title from a year ago or being nearly two-touchdown favorites, Smart had this team playing with juice. And it showed in a big way at SoFi Stadium

A remarkable performance caps off what has been one of the greatest two-season stretches in the history of college football. Smart’s goal will now be to keep the same mentality heading into 2023, looking for a trifecta.