Dawn of the Dawg
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Ranking every Georgia College Football Playoff game of the four-team era

By Josh Yourish

Jan 9, 2023; Inglewood, CA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart and Stetson Bennett (13) celebrate after defeating the TCU Horned Frogs in the CFP national championship game at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2023; Inglewood, CA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart and Stetson Bennett (13) celebrate after defeating the TCU Horned Frogs in the CFP national championship game at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy is sacked by Georgia linebacker Quay Walker during the second half of U-M’s 34-11 loss in the Orange Bowl on Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Florida.Capital One Orange Bowl
Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy is sacked by Georgia linebacker Quay Walker during the second half of U-M’s 34-11 loss in the Orange Bowl on Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Florida.Capital One Orange Bowl /

5. 2021 Orange Bowl

Neither Kirby Smart nor Jim Harbaugh knew what to expect from their quarterback in his first College Football Playoff start. Stetson Bennett came through for Kirby, but Cade McNamara wasn’t ready for the moment.

Bennett threw for 313 yards and three touchdowns and Georgia’s defense dominated McNamara in the first half. Georgia has some history with a highly-touted freshman quarterback replacing the starter in the second half of a big game, but J.J. McCarthy couldn’t do a Tua impression.

The Bulldogs led 27-3 at halftime and McNamara finished 11/19 for 106 yards and two interceptions. McCarthy was better, but the game was out of reach when he managed to go 7-17 passing for 131 yards and a touchdown. Georgia gained 521 yards to Michigan’s 328.

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