When it comes to legendary writers and commentators, especially when it comes to college football, Tony Barnhart is one of the greatest there has ever been and one of the best there ever will be. Tony rose to fame covering Georgia and college football for the Atlanta Journal Constitution and then became a fixture on television, radio and the internet. He is an accomplished author and one of the most knowledgeable college football minds in the business. This season marks Tony’s 50th covering college football. He says his last. I hope he at least finds time for us at Bulldawg Illustrated. Tony is putting together a book: “Mr. College Football: 50 Years of SEC Memories,” scheduled to be published next November by UGA Press. He has covered every SEC Championship Game (except Covid 2020). Tony is a 1976 graduate of the University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism. We always appreciate his insight and wisdom.
Is this the most competitive season you can remember in the SEC?
Without question. In the Nov. 22 CPF rankings the SEC had five of the Top 10 and seven of the Top 16 teams. And this is in a season when Auburn, Florida and LSU did not meet expectations. Nobody goes deeper in quality teams than the SEC. And it’s not even close.
What are some of your highlights from this season?
There is not a better story in college football than what Clark Lea and Diego Pavia have done at Vanderbilt. They have transformed the University’s commitment to football. When Lea said his goal at Vanderbilt was to compete for the national championship, people laughed. They are not laughing any more. Think of this. Ole Miss has been playing football since 1892 but never–ever–have the Rebels won 11 games in a regular season–until now. The question used to be whether or not Ole Miss could win a national championship. Even with Lane Kiffin leaving, the answer is now “Yes.” Kiffin has given Vandy the blueprint.
Do you ever remember a coaching carousel like this season?
No, because there hasn’t been one like this season. Four head coaches were fired by midseason. The compressed recruiting calendar created a sense of urgency. Everyone wants an elite coach but there are not that many elite coaches available.
What is your take on Georgia?
I was talking to a friend the other day about Coach of the Year candidates. Obviously Clark Lea will get a lot of votes and he should. But I would submit that nobody has done a better job this season than Kirby Smart. He told us before the season started that 54 percent of his roster would be made up of first and second-year players. And here he is playing in another SEC Championship Game. His team has found a way to win close games week after week. And did we mention that the quarterback (Gunner Stockton) has exceeded all expectations? Georgia is a team that nobody wants to play. They win the old fashion way with tough, physical football. That’s coaching. “We’re hard to kill,” he said. He’s right.
Should conference championship games continue or are they obsolete?
I’ve been to every SEC Championship Game but one, and there is still something fundamentally exciting about playing one game for the SEC championship. With the playoffs going to 16 teams, which may happen in 2026, there will be pressure to make that change. I just don’t see the SEC walking away from Roy Kramer’s legacy.
Do the SEC and the Big Ten both get two byes in the CFP?
Yes. I don’t see Texas Tech or BYU, who will play for the Big 12 championship, slipping into one of those top four slots ahead of an SEC team.
What’s your score prediction?
FINAL SCORE – Georgia 24, Alabama 21