After a dominant season that saw the Georgia Bulldogs firmly cement themselves as one of college football’s elite programs, the release of the final US LBM Coaches Poll has left fans, analysts, and even some players scratching their heads. Despite finishing with an impressive record and showcasing their superiority on the field throughout the season, Georgia’s ranking in the poll has raised eyebrows and sparked a heated debate across the college football landscape.
The Bulldogs finished their season with a 12-2 record, including a dominant performance in the SEC Championship and a New Year’s Six bowl victory. Yet, they were ranked No. 4 in the final US LBM Coaches Poll, trailing teams like Alabama, Michigan, and Washington.
This placement is perplexing to many, given Georgia’s consistency over the past few seasons under head coach Kirby Smart. Entering the year as back-to-back national champions, the Bulldogs were widely regarded as the team to beat. While a late-season loss to Alabama in the SEC Championship was a blemish on their record, Georgia’s subsequent bowl game performance demonstrated their ability to bounce back and assert their dominance.
What makes Georgia’s final ranking so controversial is the resume they built throughout the season. The Bulldogs boasted one of the toughest schedules in the country, facing a gauntlet of SEC powerhouses while remaining competitive in every game. Their offense, led by quarterback Carson Beck and a stacked supporting cast, consistently put up points, while their defense—always a hallmark under Smart—remained one of the nation’s best.
Critics of the Coaches Poll argue that Georgia’s body of work compares favorably to the teams ranked ahead of them. For instance, Michigan’s undefeated regular season ended with a playoff loss to Alabama, yet the Wolverines finished higher in the poll. Similarly, Washington, while undefeated until the National Championship, struggled in multiple close games against weaker opponents.
The Bulldogs’ dominant bowl victory, in which they dismantled a top-tier opponent, further strengthened their case as one of the nation’s top two or three teams.
One recurring criticism of the Coaches Poll is the potential for bias among voters. Unlike the College Football Playoff rankings, which rely on a selection committee, the Coaches Poll is compiled based on votes from active head coaches across the country. This can lead to subjective assessments, with coaches potentially favoring teams within their conferences or downplaying the achievements of rivals.
Georgia’s placement may also reflect “voter fatigue,” a phenomenon where teams that have sustained success over multiple seasons are judged more harshly. Having won two consecutive national championships, some voters may have held the Bulldogs to an unattainably high standard.
Head coach Kirby Smart, known for his focused and pragmatic approach, addressed the ranking with his trademark calmness. “At the end of the day, rankings are opinions. What matters is how we perform on the field and how we prepare for the next challenge. We’ll use this as motivation,” Smart said in a recent press conference.
While Smart’s comments project confidence, it’s clear that the ranking has not sat well with Georgia’s players and fanbase. Several players took to social media to express their confusion and frustration, further fueling the debate.
Georgia’s controversial final ranking underscores broader issues with the Coaches Poll system. The lack of transparency and potential biases make it a flawed measure of a team’s success, particularly in an era where on-field performance can be dissected with advanced metrics and analytics.
For the Bulldogs, the snub may serve as added fuel for the 2025 season. As Kirby Smart continues to build a dynasty in Athens, Georgia will no doubt use this perceived slight as motivation to prove once again that they belong at the very top of college football.
In the end, Georgia’s final ranking in the US LBM Coaches Poll may not make sense to many, but it highlights the subjective nature of college football rankings—a reality that often leaves even the most deserving teams searching for answers.