Georgia football: How many National Championships does the program have

Two National Championships

Most Georgia fans are familiar with the main two National Championships. 1980 and 1942 are the only titles that Georgia boasts. They fly flags for both championships at Sanford Stadium and the indoor practice facility has both years planted firmly on one of the walls facing the field.

However, if you are familiar with the old NCAA Football video games from EA Sports, you probably remember that Georgia only had one National Title in the game. EA only recognized one title for the series’ entire run. That wasn’t a glitch or a mistake. Georgia only had one on the video game because the game only recognized championships awarded by the Associated Press Top 25 and the Coaches Poll.

The AP, along with 12 other official rankings, had the 1980 Georgia Bulldog’s at no. 1 at the end of the season. That’s the only championship that EA Sports saw as valid for making their game. I like to call this one Georgia’s undisputed National Championship.

So what about 1942? Georgia didn’t finish the 1942 season no. 1 in the AP Poll. Instead, they awarded Ohio State with the Championship at the end of the regular season. The AP didn’t start creating a final poll after the bowl games until the 1960’s.

The Bulldogs finished no. 2 in their poll. However, Georgia went on to beat UCLA in the Rose Bowl while Ohio State turned down a bowl invite because Big 10 teams didn’t play in bowl games back then. They also played a cupcake schedule back then, but that’s a discussion for another time.

The 1942 Bulldogs got their due in the form of nine championship selectors choosing them over the Buckeyes. Only five selectors chose Ohio State. Which is why Georgia boasts the 1942 title instead of the others. That’s considered the consensus National Championship, because the Dawgs were the consensus pick.