ATHENS — Despite picking up a two-score win over No. 14 Missouri this past weekend, the College Football Playoff committee kept the Georgia Bulldogs at the No. 2 spot in the week 11 College Football Playoff rankings.
Georgia finds itself still behind the Ohio State Buckeyes, who trailed Rutgers at halftime before pulling away in the second half for a 35-16 win. Ohio State also saw Notre Dame lose, with the Fighting Irish dropping to No. 20 in the most recent rankings.
The College Football Playoff committee actually kept the entire top eight the same for this week. The first team to move up is Georgia’s next opponent, as the Ole Miss Rebels are No. 9.
Plenty of people on social media had their thoughts on the committee’s decision to keep the status quo for another week.
For all the fuss online, Georgia knows it has to stay focused on the task at hand. Ole Miss is 8-1 on the season and holds wins over No. 19 LSU and No. 23 Tulane. The only loss this season for the Rebels came on the road against Alabama.
“I don’t really focus on that at all. It’s not about where you start, it’s where you finish,” Georgia safety Malaki Starks said. “We’ve got a bigger goal in mind. We’re just trying to focus on what’s important now. I try not to look at any of that stuff or let it get to me.”
The Bulldogs have managed to win their last two games without star tight end Brock Bowers, who is still recovering from ankle surgery.
While head coach Kirby Smart hasn’t put a timeline on a possible return for Bowers, the Georgia coach noted that the tight end is taking all the necessary steps to get back on the field.
Should Bowers return, even in a diminished role, it would provide a boost to the Georgia team.
“He’s doing all he can in terms of trying to get himself in shape and get better,” Smart said. “I mean, he’s back running now on dry land. I mean, we’re hopeful that he keeps getting better. I mean, that’s kind of the MO on this injury. Every kid we’ve had so far that’s had it, Week 1 they do this, Week 2 they do this, Week 3 they do that, and Week 4 — I mean, he’s right on schedule for the things he’s been doing.”
Should Georgia find a way to take down No. 9 Ole Miss, there’s a very realistic chance the Bulldogs could find themselves atop next week’s College Football Playoff rankings. Of course, Michigan takes on No. 10 Penn State this week and the Wolverines could also benefit from adding a signature win.
As Starks alluded to, the only College Football Playoff rankings that matter is the final one, which drops on Dec. 3. Georgia has made each of the previous two College Football Playoffs.
Saturday’s game against Ole Miss is set for a 7 p.m. ET start.
