Georgia football faces doubts heading into the 2025 season, according to the Way-Too-Early Top-25 Poll, raising questions.

As the college football world begins to look ahead to the 2025 season, the Georgia Bulldogs, who have established themselves as one of the most dominant programs in recent years, are suddenly facing some doubts. For the first time in quite a while, the Bulldogs are no longer the undisputed kings of college football, according to the Way-Too-Early Top-25 Poll. Georgia, which has claimed two consecutive national championships and been a model of consistency, is now a team with questions to answer heading into the 2025 campaign.

While the Bulldogs remain a powerhouse in terms of recruiting and coaching, the reality of losing key players, adjusting to new leadership, and dealing with the inevitable turnover that comes with success has raised legitimate concerns. The Georgia program, despite its overwhelming success over the past few seasons, is now being evaluated with a new set of expectations that could challenge their continued dominance.

This article takes a deep dive into the doubts surrounding Georgia football as they enter the 2025 season, analyzing the key factors that could shape the program’s future and what it means for the Bulldogs’ national championship aspirations.

1. Loss of Key Talent

One of the most significant challenges facing Georgia heading into 2025 is the loss of key talent from their past few championship-winning teams. The Bulldogs have produced an incredible amount of NFL talent, especially on defense, with players like Jalen Carter, Nolan Smith, and Kelee Ringo all leaving for the pros. Their departures have raised questions about how Georgia will reload and maintain the level of dominance that has been synonymous with the program.

Quarterback Stalemate: Another key issue for Georgia in 2025 is the looming quarterback situation. The Bulldogs have been fortunate to have talented quarterbacks like Stetson Bennett, who led the team to back-to-back national championships. However, with Bennett’s departure, the team faces an uncertain future under center. While Georgia has highly-rated quarterbacks like Carson Beck and Brock Vandagriff waiting in the wings, it’s unclear whether either of them can step in and deliver the same level of success that Bennett did.

Although Georgia is known for its run-first offensive identity, the play at quarterback will still be a crucial factor in the team’s success. Without a proven, top-tier signal caller, there’s a sense of skepticism about how well Georgia can transition into the post-Bennett era.

2. Transitioning to New Leadership

Another reason for concern entering the 2025 season is the potential change in leadership. Head coach Kirby Smart has undoubtedly been one of the key drivers behind Georgia’s resurgence as a national powerhouse. Under his guidance, Georgia has become a perennial contender, constantly recruiting at the highest level and playing with a physical, tough-minded style. However, Smart’s continued success means that many other programs are circling and offering his assistants lucrative opportunities to take on new challenges.

Georgia’s coaching staff turnover is something to watch closely in the coming years. If Smart loses key assistants, particularly on the defensive side of the ball, it could cause a shift in the way the Bulldogs approach their game plans and player development. Georgia’s defense has been one of the cornerstones of its championship pedigree, but without the same coaching structure in place, it’s unclear how the team will adapt.

While Smart remains a tremendous coach, the challenges of managing a top-tier program and maintaining continuity are becoming more pronounced as Georgia’s success continues to attract attention. The team’s success under Kirby Smart will ultimately depend on how well the program can adapt to changes in leadership and ensure that new coaches can continue to foster the winning culture Smart has established.

3. Increased Competition in the SEC

The SEC has long been known for its tough competition, but in recent years, the league has only gotten more competitive. While Georgia has dominated in the East, teams like Alabama, LSU, and Tennessee are all pushing for supremacy in the conference. The SEC is a league that has historically been unpredictable and tough, and Georgia will not be able to coast through the regular season without serious challenges.

Tennessee, in particular, has emerged as one of the most exciting teams in the country, with head coach Josh Heupel bringing an up-tempo offense that has shaken up the SEC landscape. The Volunteers are now a real threat to Georgia’s dominance in the East, and their rise adds a new layer of competition in a division that Georgia has controlled for most of the last decade.

Alabama, despite recent struggles, remains a national powerhouse, and with Nick Saban still at the helm, they’re always a dangerous team. LSU is also becoming more competitive under Brian Kelly, and Ole Miss and Mississippi State have shown that they can pull off upsets.

Georgia’s SEC schedule will only get tougher as the conference continues to grow stronger, and this can create added pressure on the Bulldogs as they look to defend their spot at the top of the SEC East.

4. Recruiting Pressure and Expectations

While Georgia continues to recruit at an elite level, the Bulldogs will have to maintain their position among the nation’s best in terms of talent acquisition. With programs like Alabama, Ohio State, and Clemson also aggressively pursuing top recruits, Georgia can’t afford to rest on its laurels. Maintaining the nation’s top-ranked recruiting classes will be essential for Georgia’s long-term success.

That said, the pressure on Georgia to maintain its recruiting dominance could ultimately affect the team’s focus in 2025. While Georgia’s class of 2024 is still very strong, new competitors are emerging in college football, and the Bulldogs will need to continue finding elite talent to stay ahead.

If Georgia’s recruiting efforts slow or fail to produce the same caliber of players, the program may see a dip in its overall production on the field. Recruiting is one area where even a few missed opportunities could spell trouble for a team with national championship aspirations.

5. The College Football Playoff Expansion

With the expansion of the College Football Playoff to 12 teams in 2024, the postseason landscape has changed. The expanded playoff means that more teams will have the opportunity to compete for a national championship, and this brings both opportunities and challenges for the Bulldogs. While Georgia has the talent to make the expanded playoff, the increased number of contenders means that the road to a national title will be more difficult.

Georgia will no longer have the comfort of a guaranteed playoff spot in a four-team system, and the added competition will only increase as more teams from around the country position themselves as serious playoff contenders. The team will have to maintain focus throughout the regular season, as even one or two slip-ups could jeopardize their position in the 12-team field.

6. A Legacy to Live Up To

Finally, perhaps the biggest question hanging over Georgia entering the 2025 season is whether the Bulldogs can maintain their recent legacy of dominance. After winning two national titles in a row, expectations for the program have soared. Fans, alumni, and media will all expect Georgia to continue its national championship chase, and this immense pressure could become a significant factor.

While the Bulldogs have the talent to compete at the highest level, the weight of recent success can be a double-edged sword. It’s easy to assume that Georgia will continue to dominate the college football landscape, but maintaining that level of excellence year after year is no simple task. The pressure to meet or exceed those expectations will be a challenge that Georgia’s players and coaches will have to manage in 2025.