Exclusive; Georgia football a ‘distant’ No. 1 in initial 2024 SP+ rankings
The 2024 season is still a long way off, with just over a month until the 2023 season.
But when play begins in August, the Georgia Bulldogs are expected to be ranked among the best teams in the sport. ESPN’s Bill Connelly released his first SP rankings for the 2024 season on Wednesday.
Unsurprisingly, the Bulldogs came out on top in this ranking, which is evaluated based on a combination of returning products, recruiting rankings and recent success. “Georgia, if my SP predictions are correct tomorrow, Georgia will be No. 1 in the nation, about four points ahead of No. 2 Ohio State,” Connelly said Tuesday on the Paul Finebaum Show.
With Georgia winning two national championships and signing the No. 1 recruiting class for the 2024 cycle, it’s not hard to see why Georgia is No. 1 in these rankings. According to Connelly, Georgia is 4.4 points ahead of second-place Ohio State. There is a 4.5 point difference between Ohio State and No. 7 Penn State.
Georgia ranks 47th in returning production
Georgia ranks 47th in returning production, but the Bulldogs got a big boost when quarterback Carson Beck opted to return in 2024. In his first season as a starter, Beck threw for 3,941 yards and 24 touchdowns. Georgia will lose some key pieces around Brock Bowers, wide receiver Ladd McConkie and center Cedric Van Prand, but Beck hopes to improve those numbers.
Georgia has relied heavily on the transfer window this season, signing seven players, most notably the return of Trevor Etienne. By comparison, Georgia has signed just six players through the transfer window in the past three seasons.
Connelly has six SEC teams ranked in the top 11, with Texas at No. 4, Alabama at No. 6, Ole Miss at No. 8, LSU at No. 10 and Missouri at No. 11. Georgia may start the season as the favorite, but it will have to face a tough schedule to reach the College Football Playoff. Georgia has road games against Texas, Alabama and Ole Miss and opens the season at No. 16 Clemson.
