Georgia football and the rest of the sport learned last week that the four-team playoff would not be around for much longer as the presidents voted to go to 12 teams. Some people like the expansion, while others are very vocal in disagreeing with this move.
However, Dawg fans should consider this before forming an opinion — Georgia benefits the most from the expansion.
Some don’t believe there are 12 teams good enough to be in the playoffs, and while they have a point, it’s still an exciting expansion. The potential for home playoff games would provide some crazy atmospheres, and that alone is one of the best things about this.
Imagine Ohio State and Georgia in Athens for a playoff game — absolute chaos, and we’re here for it.
Georgia football should be happy with playoff expansion.
Think about it — if the Dawgs fall to Alabama in the SEC Championship Game, they’re still in the race. If Georgia loses a game during the regular season but still has a strong season — they are still a shoo-in for the playoffs.
Georgia is a team that isn’t going anywhere, but at the same time, losses sometimes happen. Regardless, if Georgia plays how they have been, it won’t matter. While there will be more playoff games to win, it’ll just solidify great teams even more.
During Monday’s press conference, head coach Kirby Smart said he doesn’t know if it affects Georgia directly, but at the same time, what he said after that told the whole story.
"“There’s been some good things about four. There’s probably some good things about 12. It’s just everybody loves change,” Smart said in his press conference. “It’s on a continuum… I don’t really get into whether or not it’s going to be beneficial for us or not, because I think it’s year to year on what kind of team you have and how the other teams do in the country.”"
Smart kept it honest, and I respect that about him, but the whole, there have been good things about four teams, and there will be about 12, is the best part of that quote. Georgia has been in the playoffs twice in the last six seasons, so of course, the four-team playoff was good for the Dawgs.
Now for the 12-team one, Georgia has an even better chance to get into the big show, and that is what programs fight to do every year.
Why wouldn’t the Dawgs like making the playoffs every year? When those teams we feel shouldn’t make it in the final four do, it’ll just give the Dawgs a potential shot at beating them. When Georgia beats them, it’ll just make it that much sweeter. This expansion is a good thing, and we should all enjoy it.