Next 3 games will define Georgia's season

Georgia football is at the most important part of their season. The Bulldogs are sitting at 6-1 (4-1) and with only three SEC games remaining there is a lot at stake.

Both the SEC Championship game and College Football Playoffs are not a guarantee. One more loss and Gerogia could miss out on both. And with the difficult stretch Gerogia begins this weekend, who knows what will happen.

Tough final three games

Before we jump in, let’s first acknowledge that Gerogia is clearly capable of beating anyone. They showed that when they knocked off No. 1 Texas on the road two weeks ago. But one thing college football has taught us is that past results aren’t always an indication of future results, so Georgia is going to have to be ready to go for this stretch.

Georgia opens their final three SEC games against rival Florida this Saturday. The Gators are only 4-3, and on paper are the easiest opponent of three remaining SEC games. But any time a rival is the “easiest” opponent left you know the stretch UGA is entering is very tough.

Georgia then finishes off this stretch against two ranked teams. First is a road game at Ole Miss, a game ESPN’s FPI currently favors the Rebels in. Then Georgia gets a top 10 Tennessee team at home who just beat Alabama, a team Georgia couldn’t beat.

This three game stretch is difficult enough, but factoring in all the pressure on these three games makes it even more difficult than you originally think.

Postseason implications

Georgia has two main goals every season now under Kirby Smart. Win an SEC Championship and win a National Championship. However, with one loss already to their name, one more could end all hope at winning either title.

As it stands today, Georgia still needs some help just to make it to the SEC Championship game, even if they win these three games. So losing to one of these three teams would make it nearly impossible to make it to Atlanta.

Also, losing a second game would really hurt their chances to make the College Football Playoffs. A 10-2 Georgia team (assuming they win their final two non-conference games) likely would make the 12-team CFP field, but it isn’t a guarantee. But even if Georgia did qualify, they wouldn’t get a first round bye and would have to beat four really good teams to win a national championship.

All that being said, Georgia should still feel confident entering this critical stretch. They’ve already proven what team they can be more than once this season. So if Georgia plays to the level like they did against Texas, or to the level in their season opener against Clemson, all of these worries about the postseason immediately vanish. Georgia would likely win all three of these games, make it to the SEC Championship game, and secure their spot in the CFP.

And at that point, Georgia would have to love their chances against any team.