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5 takeaways from Georgia's runaway victory over Oklahoma

Five things stood out during Georgia's emphatic win over Oklahoma.
ByTrevor Michael
Apr 18, 2026; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back Dwight Phillips Jr. (20) runs with the ball during the Georgia Spring football game at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Apr 18, 2026; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back Dwight Phillips Jr. (20) runs with the ball during the Georgia Spring football game at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Oklahoma was Georgia's biggest test so far this season, but on Saturday they proved to not be much of a challenge at all as the Bulldogs cruised to a 41-13 victory.

Georgia was only predicted to win by two touchdowns, so this large of a win was a bit surprising. There obviously are a lot of positives for Georgia after winning a game in this fashion, but these five things stood out the most.

1. Georgia's offense didn't blink after a bad first possession

Georgia's offense began their first three games this season extremely fast. In all three games they were able to move the ball up and down the field with blistering speed to put points on the board almost immediately. That however didn't happen against Oklahoma as they went three-and-out in their first series for the first time this season.

Georgia's defense got them the ball back fast though and the offense responded with an 11 play, 79-yard drive that ended with Chauncey Bowen's first touchdown of the game.

This is the type of resilience that Georgia needs throughout the rest of the season. Whenever they struggle or have a bad series it's important that they put their heads down and focus on the next drive, and against Oklahoma they accomplished that in impressive fashion.

2. Talyn Taylor finally has his coming out party

Talyn Taylor had a lot of hype coming into last season as a five-star true freshman. He didn't get too many opportunities last year though and so far this season he hadn't been too memorable. That changed against the Sooners.

Taylor had the coming out party that Georgia has been waiting for as he hauled in four catches for 110 yards and a touchdown. This performance came at the perfect time with starting wide receiver Isiah Canion missing Saturday's game.

This is the type of game that could propel Taylor to have a big year the rest of the season, and for an offense still looking for a go to pass catcher that is what they need to happen.

3. Georgia's defense can score any way they want

Georgia's defense for the second game this year scored a touchdown. Two weeks ago against Western Kentucky they returned an interception for a touchdown, but against Oklahoma Chris Cole took advantage of a careless mistake from Sooners quarterback John Mateer by recovering his fumble and taking it about 90 yards all the way for a touchdown.

Not only has Georgia scored a touchdown off an interception and fumble recovery, but they've scored on special teams this season too. Some years Georgia goes all season without scoring in all three ways, but this season they were able to accomplish it in just four games.

These are plays Georgia has been missing the last few years, so hopefully this will continue as the season progresses.

4. Georgia's offense excelled without two of their top playmakers

Georgia fans likely were a bit nervous at the start of the game. Both Isiah Canion and Nate Frazier ultimately did not play after being injured last week against Arkansas, and they arguably are Gergia's top option at wide receiver and running back.

Georgia on paper has the depth to deal with both players being sidelined, but you never know how a team will do without their top players. Georgia proved that they can not only win without them but they can dominate.

Talyn Taylor deserves a lot of the credit for stepping up in Canion's absence, but Dwight Phillips deserves a round of applause for racking up 84 yards and a touchdown on eight carries. Chauncey Bowens didn't have the rushing yards that Phillips had, but he punched in two touchdowns of his own as well.

Kirby Smart said all last week that Canion and Frazier's injuries weren't that bad, but clearly they were bad enough to not play in this game. It's nice knowing Georgia can survive without them, but Georgia won't be able to hit their peak if Canion and Frazier are on the sideline hurt all season.

5. Georgia may deserve to be ranked No. 1 in the country

Entering this week Georgia was the No. 2 team in the country. It's unlikely that they will move up to the top spot since current No. 1 Texas won at No.14 Tennessee on Saturday, but there's a good argument for why Georgia should be No. 1 instead.

Georgia has won all four of their games in convincing fashion. Sure it hasn't been against the best competition, but they deserve credit for beating Tennessee State by 60, Western Kentucky by 50 and Arkansas and Oklahoma by 28.

This win over Oklahoma is especially impressive though because they were supposed to be Georgia's first true test of the season. Maybe Oklahoma will turn out to be a better team than they looked on Saturday, but Georgia dismantled them all game long.

Texas on the other hand does have two ranked wins that Georgia does not have. They were a bit fortunate to have beaten Ohio State though and a three point win over Tennessee isn't that noteworthy considering the Vols haven't proven they can beat anyone good yet this season.

Both teams have good arguments for why they should be No. 1, but the AP voters will likely keep the Longhorns in the top spot for now. That however isn't a problem for Georgia because as long as they keep winning they'll eventually earn the No. 1 ranking or get a chance to take it from Texas in the SEC Championship game.

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