The Georgia Bulldogs set a college football record on Saturday with the biggest bowl win ever, beating Florida State 63-3. For many, it was just another statement of Georgia's worthiness for the College Football Playoff, even despite the Dawgs' SEC Championship loss to Alabama.
Yes, a win over the Tide would have rendered this entire conversation unnecessary. But there's still very much an argument to be made that Georgia was one of the top four teams in the country this season and should have been in the College Football Playoff.
If Georgia had made the postseason, it could have been at the expense of Washington, which will take on Texas in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Sugar Bowl on Monday.
College Football Playoff: What Would Georgia vs Washington Odds Be?
As it were, our college football power ratings would have Georgia as a 5-point favorite on a neutral field vs Washington, which might suggest that the Dawgs are the more deserving team for the College Football Playoff. Conversely, if Georgia had made the playoff over Texas, this would be the projected spread for Georgia vs Washington.
On the other hand, the Huskies took care of the business in front of them, going undefeated at 13-0 and winning the Pac-12.
The College Football Playoff expands to 12 teams next year, and in that scenario, Georgia undoubtedly would have made the postseason. But Alabama head coach Nick Saban is skeptical that expansion will end this kind of debate, as he said on Saturday:
"There's always going to be speculation of who the best 12 teams are just like there's speculation now who the best four teams are."
If you believe Georgia is one of those best four teams, Saturday's result and this projected spread versus Washington might both serve as further evidence for your case.
