The Georgia Bulldogs are expected to enter the 2026 college football season with high expectations. USA TODAY’s way-too-early top-25 ranks Georgia No. 3 while ESPN’s way-too-early top-25 ranks Georgia No. 4.
Georgia returns quarterback Gunner Stockton along with key offensive pieces like running back Nate Frazier, center Drew Bobo. The Bulldogs also return defenders Ellis Robinson, Raylen Wilson, KJ Bolden and Gabe Harris.
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ESPN’s Bill Connelly predicts that despite having a “few questions about the Dawgs’ offensive upside in 2026”, he thinks Georgia will take home the 2026 SEC championship. Connelly respects Kirby Smart’s ability to put together a strong defense and thinks Georgia will win the SEC for a third consecutive season.
After taking home the SEC championship, Connelly has Georgia locking up the No. 2 seed in the College Football Playoff, which will have 12 teams again in 2026. Georgia will have a first-round bye and play the winner of the first-round game between Texas and Ohio State. He has Georgia defeating Texas, again, and then beating Texas Tech in the semifinals.
Connelly has Georgia’s season ending in national championship heartbreak. He predicts Georgia will lose to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, who he says “appear loaded on paper” and are his national championship pick.
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This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: ESPN predicts Georgia football’s 2026 season ends in heartbreak
