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Stetson Bennett: We're the defending national champions, 'you've got to come see us on our field'

On3-Social-Profile_GRAYby:On3 Staff Report•11/05/22
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Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett IV gestures during his team's 27-13 win over Tennessee on Nov. 5, 2022. (Todd Kirkland / Getty Images)

When the first edition of the 2022 College Football Playoff rankings came out, Tennessee checked in at No. 1 and Georgia was ranked No. 3. That didn’t sit well with quarterback Stetson Bennett IV or the defending national champions.

It seemed to be exactly what Georgia needed to arrive in Sanford Stadium on Saturday with a laser-sharp focus.

“Yeah, yeah I do,” said Bennett, asked on the field following a 27-13 win over the Vols whether he felt like the Bulldogs were playing with a chip on their shoulder. “We felt like we were the reigning ones, you’ve got to come and see us on our field. I think we played like it. We attacked this week and it was pretty sweet.”

Tennessee won’t remain No. 1 for long.

And with Georgia now beating the nation’s top-ranked team, it’s likely the Bulldogs will leapfrog No. 2 Ohio State when the College Football Playoff rankings following Week 10 are released. Georgia was ranked ahead of Tennessee in the AP Poll last week, at No. 1 overall.

Following a thorough dismantling of the Volunteers on Saturday, there’s a pretty good shot Georgia will be a unanimous No. 1 in the polls now.

Stetson Bennett responds to Tennessee troll job

You know football in the SEC is at its best when the pranks make their way to the starting quarterbacks.

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Much like Tim Tebow did against LSU in the late 2000s, Bennett made sure to let the fans know he was fired up on Saturday after Volunteers fans reportedly leaked his phone number and flooded him with prank calls on Friday night.

Following a 13-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, Bennett pulled up his right hand in the shape of a phone and pointed to Tennessee fans in the crowd.

Bennett and the Georgia offense got off to a hot start against Tennessee, taking a quick 21-3 lead in the first half at Sanford Stadium.

The starting quarterback for the defending national champions was electric. He finished the game 17-of-25 passing for 257 yards and two touchdowns, while also adding his 13-yard rushing score.

Georgia moved to 6-0 in SEC play and is one more league win away from officially clinching the SEC East and a repeat appearance in Atlanta for the SEC Championship Game.