Ever since I came to the University of Georgia—one of the top SEC football programs, might I add — this time of year has been about more than just the holidays. December doesn’t just mean Christmas lights, carols and last-minute shopping. It also means bowl season and the College Football Playoffs. And no matter who is playing, college football has a way of becoming the center of everything.

At my house, the postseason doesn’t pause for the holidays — it blends right in. Trying to bake cookies with my family? Ole Miss versus Tulane is playing in the background. Christmas dinner at my grandparents’ house? The College Football Playoffs dominate the conversation at the dining table. Even my 83-year-old grandmother leans over the table to ask when the Bulldogs’ next bowl game is. One minute we’re passing around dessert; the next, we’re talking college football. And it’s not just my grandmother, my dad starts humming the “Who’s that coming down the track” tune and blasting “Baba O’Riley” in his truck days, sometimes weeks before the Bulldogs even take the field. Football, it seems, is just as much a part of the season as the cookies and holiday music.

That’s the thing about the College Football Playoffs: they don’t just dominate the sports calendar; they take over our living rooms, kitchens, and family conversations. Even when Georgia isn’t playing, the Bulldogs are never far from discussion. Every game feels like it matters. Every result feels connected. And every December brings back memories.

Around this time of year, I always find myself thinking back to my freshman year at Georgia. Winter break of 2022 wasn’t just about celebrating the new year—it was about one of the most unforgettable moments in Georgia football. New Year’s Eve came with fireworks, countdowns, and, most importantly, Georgia facing Ohio State in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Peach Bowl.

As the clock struck midnight, Georgia had just completed a last-minute, go-ahead touchdown to beat Ohio State in a thriller that still feels unreal. Stetson Bennett led the Bulldogs to victory and suddenly the new year felt special in a way that had nothing to do with fireworks or champagne. That moment, celebrating a playoff win as the calendar flipped, felt like the peak of college football fandom. Aside from Santa and his reindeer, it doesn’t get more magical than that.

That win led to a national championship appearance and eventually a dominant title victory over TCU. Looking back now, it’s hard not to romanticize that season. Everything felt possible. Championships felt expected. And as a freshman, I didn’t yet realize just how rare moments like that really are.

Georgia hasn’t been back to the national championship game since that season, but the desire hasn’t faded. If anything, it has grown stronger. As I move closer to the end of my college career, I can’t help but hope for one more championship run. There’s something so special about the idea of “sandwiching” my college years between national titles—starting and ending my time at Georgia with college football’s ultimate prize.

So, if we’re writing Christmas wishlists this year, that’s my wish. One more national championship appearance. One more run through December and January with everything on the line. One more chance to feel that electricity again, to experience the anticipation, the highs and the heartbreaks that make college football so unforgettable.

Each holiday season, I love watching how the College Football Playoffs bring people together, family, friends, and fans alike. Sure, rivalries can spark a little tension at the dinner table, but that’s part of what makes it special. December football adds an extra layer of excitement to the holidays. It creates shared moments, inside jokes and memories that last far longer than the season itself. It’s more than a game; it has become a tradition. And if Georgia is playing over the holidays, our house turns into the ultimate viewing spot, complete with Maryland crab soup, charcuterie, and beverages for everyone.

All I want for Christmas might be a national championship, but what I already have is something just as meaningful: a team to watch, games to debate and some football magic to carry me through winter break. And if Santa happens to deliver a trophy along the way, I certainly won’t complain.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Here’s to hoping we can all wish for a national championship in the year ahead. Go Dawgs!