Joel Klatt explains why he ranks Georgia football outside his top-5

USA Today

13 hours ago

Fox Sports college football expert Joel Klatt ranks the Georgia Bulldogs as the No. 7 team in his preseason top 25. Klatt has some concerns about the Bulldogs entering the 2025 season, but gives Georgia the benefit of the doubt over similar SEC teams like the LSU Tigers (No. 8) and Alabama Crimson Tide (No. 9).
"I'll be honest, Gunner Stockton is a question mark for me, but Georgia is a program that has proven that it's like you don't have to have elite level quarterback play," Klatt said. "You got to have competent (QB) play."
Klatt ranks Georgia behind No. 1 Penn State, No. 2 Texas, No. 3 Ohio State, No. 4 Clemson, No. 5 Oregon and No. 6 Notre Dame. Klatt is lower than most on Georgia. His ranking of the Bulldogs is lower than how college football coaches voted in the US LBM Coaches Poll, which ranked Georgia No. 4.
"I trust Kirby Smart," Klatt added. "Why? Because they win. That's just what they do. There's never a shortage of talent at Georgia. We know that."
Georgia will have to rely on younger players than usual in 2025. The Bulldogs had 14 players selected in the 2025 NFL draft including several key players in the trenches. Georgia also lost a few key veterans like quarterback Carson Beck and linebacker Damon Wilson to the transfer portal. However, Klatt does like how Georgia has improved its wide receiver room.
"They've addressed the wide receiver issues, which let's be honest, like that was terrible last year," Klatt continued. "They led the country in drops. So they get Zachariah Branch from USC, Noah Thomas from (Texas A&M. That should help them right away. Branch is one of the most dynamic players in the country."
Georgia's receivers need to help quarterback Gunner Stockton, who is entering his first year as the starter. However, Stockton is a redshirt junior and has been in Georgia's system for a long time, so he should be prepared to play. Additionally, the schedule sets up nicely for Stockton and company.
"Here's the other thing I love about Georgia is their schedule," Klatt said. "Most of their big ones are at home. Alabama, Texas, and Ole Miss are all at home, where they never lose, by the way, between the hedges (Georgia had) 31 straight home wins. Their last home loss was in 2019."
Georgia's start to the season is easy too. The Bulldogs don't have to go on the road or play a Power Four opponent until Week 3 against Tennessee. This should help Gunner Stockton adjust to starting. Georgia's advantageous schedule does not stop there.
"They only play three true road games with that level of talent," Klatt said. "Listen, I know Kirby always complains about like it's tough to win on the road in the SEC. It's tough to win on the road, period. And guess what? You only have to do it three times this year."
Georgia's three road games are against Tennessee, Auburn and Mississippi State. The Bulldogs are favored in all three games and have an easier path than last season to the SEC title game and the College Football Playoff.
"Georgia's is a team that I think should play for an SEC championship," Klatt said. "Partly because the program that they've built and partly because in terms of SEC schedules, that's about as favorable as as you can get with that home denomination there."
Klatt thinks Georgia will make the SEC championship, but he does not necessarily think the Bulldogs will win the SEC. Klatt likes Texas to win the SEC over Georgia. He has Texas as his preseason No. 2 and thinks Texas has one of the best defenses in the country.
Follow UGAWire on Instagram or Threads for more Georgia football coverage!