Ever since the confetti fell on Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on January 10, the narrative surrounding the Georgia Bulldogs 2022 team was that they had lost too many players and could in no way replicate their 2021 season. Perhaps this was most evident when ESPN’s College Gameday came to Athens this past weekend. Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard, and Pat McAfee all chose Tennessee to beat the defending national champions in Sanford Stadium. The Bulldogs, of course, dominated Tennessee and proved yet again that they don’t rebuild, they reload.

It’s getting exhausting having to defend a team that continually proves why they are deserving of their top ranking. The underlying principle in this argument is that Georgia is too young and surely isn’t capable of replicating prior success. The reality is the culture that Coach Smart has created not only changed the complection of this football program but has changed the entire landscape of college football. When Kirby Smart accepted the head coaching position at the Univeristy of Georgia, he preached upon implementing a culture that embodies physical toughness, composure, and togetherness. This culture has allowed Georgia to cement themselves as one of the top programs in the country and is the reason why they are beating number one ranked teams such as Alabama and Tennessee by double digits. In a world full of distractions, Coach Smart has mastered the ability to get a group of young men to collectively buy into a goal while blocking out all exterior noise.

When you look ahead at the future of college football, Kirby Smart’s Georgia team is more than capable of winning this year’s National Championship game, but they also are in a prime position to start college football’s next dynasty. According to odds-makers, Georgia is favored to bring home the championship this year. This year’s team is composed of many new faces such as some incredibly talented true freshman, but also some true sophomore’s who have taken the SEC by storm. On the defensive side of the ball, Georgia will lose Chris Smith, Nolan Smith, Robert Beal, and Keele Ringo (assuming he goes pro) next year, which will all be key players to replace. They will, however, return Smael Mondon, Jamon Dumas-Johnson, Malaki Starks, Mykel Williams, Kamari Lassiter, Javon Bullard, and almost the entire defensive line. This list doesn’t even include the highly recruited players who are patiently waiting for their opportunity. Offensively, Georgia will return AD Mitchell, Ladd McConkey, Brock Bowers, Marcus Rosemey-Jacksaint, Daijun Edwards, and Branson Robinson. There will be certain players who have the options to declare for the draft, but regardless, Georgia is in a terrific position to be one of the more serious championship contenders, yet again.

Thanks to the championship-winning culture that Kirby Smart has implemented, Georgia’s success is imminent and set to continue for years to come. The Dawgs have put college football on notice, and as long as Kirby Smart remains in Athens, the future is bright.