Has Georgia Caught Alabama Atop College Football? All Things CW

The Bulldogs have certainly closed the gap as they and the Crimson Tide clearly stand out in the College Football Playoff era.

Author:
Christopher Walsh
Publish date:
Jan 6, 2023 5:39 PM EST

In this story:

Alabama Crimson Tide

The All Things CW notes column by Christopher Walsh appears in five parts, one each day week, with the latest on the Alabama Crimson Tide. This is ...

Take 5

We're a couple of days away from the national championship game, and with Georgia heavily favored to beat TCU and repeat like Alabama did in 2011-12, the question about the Bulldogs' status atop college football is already being asked.

Some are even suggesting that Georgia has already surpassed Alabama, which is jumping the gun a bit as the title game hasn't even been played yet.

Kirk Herbstreit, who will call the championship for ESPN on Monday (6:30 p.m. CT), was even asked about it during a press conference this week in Los Angeles.

"I think Alabama is still Alabama," he said. "I know they've been off here or there a tick here. They lost in the last play of the game to Tennessee, last play of the game to LSU. I'm still a huge believer in Nick Saban and Alabama.

"But I know what you're saying because I agree with you, and I do think that Georgia... I already feel that Georgia's right there."

There's no doubt that what Kirby Smart has done, taking from what he learned under Saban to his alma matter, has been impressive. He's recruited well, players are now developing in the program for the next level (which was a criticism during his first few years in Athens), and there's no knocking the impact of potential back-to-back titles.

Is it as impress as what Saban's done at Alabama? No. At least not yet.

When doing research for various books I've authored it became apparent that the standard for a college football program to truly be a dynasty it had to win three national titles over a six-year span, although it could always add on to it.

I wrote that during Alabama's ascent, including in "Nick Saban vs. College Football" nearly a decade ago, and nothing has altered my way of thinking about dynasties ever since.

Consequently, the Crimson Tide's ongoing dynasty is easily the longest in college football history.

Should Georgia beat TCU it'll be about as close as possible, especially since it lost to Alabama in overtime in the 2018 National Championship Game, but not quite having reached dynasty status.

Critics will claim the Bulldogs are close enough, but overtimes matter. A two-point conversion in overtime is the reason why Alabama didn't make the College Football Playoff this year.

Plus for every argument one can make for the Bulldogs to be an exception to the rule, there's a counter claim like the Crimson Tide won the SEC Championship Game last year, and might had won the rematch had its starting wide receivers not gotten hurt.

You can't get into what-if scenarios when it comes to history. It's usually pretty clearcut.

Ask Clemson.

We appeared poised for another Alabama vs. Georgia showdown this year, yet the Crimson Tide didn't quite cooperate en route to what will almost certainly be a No. 5 finish in the AP Top 25.

With it, Alabama has had just one finish outside of the top five since 2013. Georgia has been twice outside of the top five since 2017.

We might soon be down to splitting hairs, but there is a difference. Besides, how many national championships has Saban won?

The great thing about it is we're still on target for more showdowns, and for the debate to go for years to come as these two programs clearly stand out from the rest of college football.

We also have this national championship game to enjoy as well.