As a significant CFP what-if, Georgia head football coach Kirby Smart’s most underappreciated Bulldogs team from the NIL era endures.

In the ever-changing landscape of college football, where the pursuit of championships dominates every conversation, there is one team in particular under Georgia’s head coach, Kirby Smart, that often gets overlooked despite its undeniable accomplishments. When we look back at the rise of the Georgia Bulldogs under Smart, it’s easy to point to the high-profile teams that captured national titles or made memorable playoff runs. Yet, tucked between the more celebrated seasons is one team that stands out as underappreciated in the context of the NIL era.

The 2023 Georgia Bulldogs, a team that made a compelling case for themselves in the College Football Playoff (CFP), might just be the most underrated squad Smart has ever fielded. With the chaotic dynamics of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) changes impacting recruiting, transfer portals, and the competitive balance of the sport, this particular Georgia team’s legacy could very well represent one of the greatest what-ifs in recent college football history.

The Evolution of the Georgia Bulldogs Under Kirby Smart

Since taking over the Georgia program in 2016, Kirby Smart has built a program that is now considered a perennial powerhouse in college football. Smart inherited a program with strong recruiting foundations set by his predecessor, Mark Richt, but Kirby quickly took it to the next level. Under his leadership, Georgia consistently produced elite talent on both sides of the ball, and with that, came perennial College Football Playoff (CFP) contention.

Smart’s ability to recruit top-tier players and cultivate a winning culture was rewarded with a national championship in 2021, a victory that solidified Georgia as the new dominant force in college football. However, it’s not just the championships that define Georgia’s modern rise, but also how Smart has consistently kept his program at the highest level.

But as the college football landscape transformed following the implementation of NIL in 2021, teams began to face a host of new challenges. From navigating the transfer portal to maintaining roster cohesion amid massive financial incentives, Georgia’s place in the college football hierarchy had to evolve. The 2023 season, in particular, was one that tested Kirby Smart’s ability to keep Georgia at the top amid the turbulence introduced by NIL and other factors, including conference realignment and recruiting battles with NIL-backed programs.

The 2023 Bulldogs: A Team That Didn’t Get the Respect It Deserved

The 2023 Georgia Bulldogs team, while certainly talented, didn’t receive the same level of hype or attention as the teams that preceded them, particularly the 2021 squad that claimed the national title. Despite entering the season as defending national champions, the Bulldogs weren’t always regarded as a lock for the CFP or national championship. They had lost key players from their 2022 team, including several NFL-bound stars, and had to reload in key areas. Georgia’s defense, once known for being nearly impenetrable, had taken some hits in terms of personnel, and the offensive unit, while capable, didn’t feature as many flashy names as past teams.

Nevertheless, Georgia under Smart managed to quietly return to elite form. The Bulldogs’ offensive game plan remained efficient, orchestrated by quarterback Carson Beck, whose play at quarterback steadily improved as the season progressed. Beck’s performance, coupled with a hard-nosed, well-rounded running back group led by Kendall Milton and Daijun Edwards, provided a strong offensive unit. Despite a lower profile on the offensive side of the ball, Georgia still dominated with a combination of physicality and precision. The defense, though not at the historical level of previous years, still ranked among the top units in the nation, thanks to the guidance of Smart’s defensive staff and the contributions of emerging players like Malaki Starks and Jalon Walker.

However, despite all of this talent, many viewed Georgia as “vulnerable” heading into the postseason, largely due to the lack of star power compared to the 2021 and 2022 teams. Alabama, Ohio State, Michigan, and others garnered more media attention, with their star-studded rosters leading many to overlook Georgia’s quietly dominant performance throughout the regular season.

The NIL Factor: How the Era of Name, Image, and Likeness Impacted Georgia

The introduction of NIL marked a seismic shift in college athletics, forever altering how programs recruit and retain players. For Georgia, a program with tremendous recruiting power under Smart, this era presented both challenges and opportunities.

One of the most significant changes was the ability for players to profit off their likeness, which opened new doors for recruits to get paid for their personal brand, as well as for players to potentially leave programs for more lucrative opportunities. Georgia, however, maintained its recruitment prowess with a strategy built around not just financial incentives but also a proven track record of player development, championships, and NFL success.

The Bulldogs quickly adapted to the changes, leveraging Smart’s recruiting ability and the established brand of the program. However, compared to programs like Alabama, Texas, and USC, which garnered attention for their big-money NIL deals, Georgia’s approach seemed more measured. They didn’t make as many headline-grabbing splashes in the transfer portal, yet they continued to develop elite talent through their established recruiting pipeline. In a way, this philosophy, while often quieter, became one of the key contributors to Georgia’s success in 2023.

But even with Georgia’s dominance, the NIL era meant that roster continuity was no longer a given. Players could leave for financial reasons, or transfer to schools offering more immediate opportunities for on-field success. This put pressure on Smart’s team-building methods, which had historically relied on developing chemistry and continuity. Nevertheless, Smart and his coaching staff managed to keep Georgia competitive through a perfect balance of NIL deals, player development, and internal program culture.

The What-If: A College Football Playoff Without an Elite, Star-Heavy Roster

One of the most fascinating what-ifs surrounding Georgia’s 2023 campaign involves their placement in the College Football Playoff and the potential impact of the team’s underappreciated nature. Had the Bulldogs not stumbled in their SEC Championship game against Alabama, it’s not hard to imagine Georgia being right back in the title picture.

Consider this: Georgia was not only a dominant regular-season team but also had the potential to match up well against other high-caliber programs in the playoff. Unlike previous seasons, where Georgia’s defense was the clear anchor, this 2023 team was built on its offensive balance and just enough defensive firepower to get by. The Bulldogs’ ability to run the ball, control the clock, and play mistake-free football would have given them a great chance against teams like Michigan, Ohio State, and even Alabama—teams that might have relied too heavily on explosive plays.

But Georgia’s ultimate challenge in the 2023 season came in the form of the SEC Championship, where Alabama’s star-studded roster and strong coaching adjustments under Nick Saban may have simply been too much for Georgia in that particular game. In a hypothetical scenario where the Bulldogs had emerged victorious in the SEC title game, it’s easy to see them making another deep run in the CFP, with all the tools in place to claim back-to-back national titles. The NIL era may have given rise to teams with high-profile individual stars, but Georgia’s system and commitment to player development would have made them an undeniable force in this new landscape.

Georgia’s Legacy in the NIL Era

As the 2023 Georgia Bulldogs show, success in the NIL era is about more than just the flashy players and big money deals. It’s about maintaining a well-rounded program with a strong foundation built on development, consistency, and an unwavering commitment to the team’s long-term goals.

Kirby Smart’s ability to sustain Georgia as a championship contender amid the chaos of NIL represents one of the most underappreciated feats in recent college football history. While Georgia may not have received the same level of recognition as other powerhouses in the postseason, Smart’s ability to adapt to the new realities of college football, and still lead his team to a solid finish, reflects his mastery of the program.

The 2023 Georgia Bulldogs’ story may not be as flashy as some of the more well-known teams of the previous seasons, but that doesn’t take away from their accomplishments and the foundation they laid for the future. Whether they ultimately earned a place in the CFP or not, this team will be remembered as a testament to the resilience of Georgia’s program, showcasing that even in an era dominated by NIL and shifting power dynamics, consistency, development, and strong leadership can still reign supreme.

In the grand scheme of Georgia football history, the 2023 Bulldogs may not have earned the same accolades as previous teams, but their legacy under Kirby Smart will endure as a shining example of what it takes to survive—and thrive—in the NIL era.