Just a few weeks ago, Georgia’s 29-game winning streak came to a halt as Alabama reclaimed the SEC crown. The Bulldogs’ playoff hopes came to a crashing burn as apparently, a three-point loss in a conference championship game in the toughest conference in college football is not enough to prove that the Dawgs are one of the top four teams in the country. Nonetheless, Georgia was aware of the likely implications before the game kicked off, and whether fair or not, the Dawgs’ next opportunity will come at the hands of an outraged and undefeated Florida State Seminole team.

    So, what went wrong for Georgia in the SEC Championship Game? It was simple, really. Georgia lost the turnover battle, committed more penalties, and missed a field goal. While playing in a championship game, the little details matter – something Georgia has been so intentional focusing on during their 29-game win streak. Alabama’s first touchdown of the game came off a busted coverage. A false start pushed Peyton Woodring back for a 50-yard field goal try that drilled the right upright, and a miscommunication leading to a fumble inside their own 10-yard line afforded Alabama a free three points. In good-on-good battles, it comes down to the finite details, and unfortunately, that Saturday afternoon, Georgia was unable to avoid the mistakes.

    One important notion that needs to be understood, however, is that one afternoon does not define this team. The 2023 Georgia Bulldog football team very well may be the best team in the nation. According to a committee, they did not earn the right to compete for a National Championship, but that is out of their control.

    What is in their control is the chance to beat an undefeated Florida State team that is also miffed by the committee’s decision. Florida State, as most are well aware, became the first team since the introduction of the College Football Playoff to go undefeated, open the season with a strong, out-of-conference opponent, win their Power-5 conference, but not be selected for the CFP.

    Undeniably, this decision stems from FSU losing starting quarterback, Jordan Travis, for the season due to a horrific broken leg injury. The Noles, while winning the remainder of their games since his departure, have not done so in a convincing fashion, eventually leading to their exclusion.

    Therefore, it is safe to assume that when the Dawgs and the Noles tee it up in Miami for the Capital One Orange Bowl, both will feel they have a point to prove. Georgia understands their worth, and for the first time in two years, they have a sour taste in their mouth – something horrifying for an opposition. Florida State, on the other hand, looks to show the committee they made a significant error by leaving out the undefeated Seminoles.

    In order to win the game, Georgia will be tasked with stopping Trey Benson, Florida State’s leading rusher who has tallied 37 carries in the two games Travis has been missing. Georgia’s rushing defense has been a cause of concern in multiple games this season, and there will no doubt be a heavy dose of running plays coming from the Seminole offense.

    Shifting the focus to Georgia, Florida State is in rude awakening. Having spent time with this coaching staff and football team, these players are connected like no other team in the country. They care immensely for one another, and having one more opportunity to play together is something they will not take for granted. Opt-outs have become an unfortunate reality in bowl games, but senior running back Kendall Milton set the tone for the Bulldogs when he emphatically declared that he will suit up in red and black one final time. Milton told the media after the Alabama loss, “I’ve been through hell and back with these boys, so there’s no way that I won’t take every opportunity that I can to be able to play with them.”

    I expect Coach Kirby Smart to have his players fired up for one final game in 2023. The message of playing for each other and this university will be well-documented, and I can promise you one thing: I would not want to line up against anyone wearing a “G” on their helmet on December 30 in Miami.