Jan 20, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day before the CFP National Championship college football game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Ohio State favored to repeat as Big 10, SEC dominate odds

Fresh off the program’s first national title since 2014, Ohio State has been installed as the favorite to repeat as the College Football Playoff champions next season.

The Buckeyes defeated Notre Dame 34-23 on Monday night and are already the +450 favorites at DraftKings to repeat the feat.

Texas, which lost to Ohio State in this season’s semifinals, has the second shortest odds at +500, followed by Georgia at +550 and Oregon at +750. Of note is that each of the top four early favorites will be starting new quarterbacks in 2025.

The top six spots are all filled with Big 10 and SEC programs, including Penn State and returning quarterback Drew Allar at +900 for fifth on the list. Alabama is sixth at +1200. Independent Notre Dame has been installed with the seventh-shortest odds at +1600.

FanDuel opened with the same top five: Ohio State (+450), Texas (+650), Oregon (+650), Georgia (+700) and Penn State (+850).

Clemson has the shortest odds among ACC schools at DraftKings at +2000 ahead of Miami at +2500. Kansas State and Arizona State lead the way for the Big 12, albeit at longshot odds with both at +9000.

The first non-Power 4/independent team on the list is the Mountain West’s Boise State. The Broncos have been installed at +20000 following their run to this year’s quarterfinals.

Deion Sanders’ Colorado Buffaloes have to replace Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter and quarterback Shedeur Sanders. The Buffs have been installed with +10000 odds — the same as North Carolina with new coach Bill Belichick.

CFP 2024-25 TITLE ODDS*
Ohio State (+450)
Texas (+500)
Georgia (+550)
Oregon (+750)
Penn State (+900)
Alabama (+1200)
Notre Dame (+1600)
LSU (+2000)
Clemson (+2000)
Tennessee (+2000)
Miami, Fla. (+2500)
Ole Miss (+2500)
Michigan (+3000)
Texas A&M (+3500)
South Carolina (+4000)
Florida (+6000)
Southern Cal (+7000)
Oklahoma (+7000)
Auburn (+8000)
SMU (+8000)
Kansas State (+9000)
Arizona State (+9000)
Louisville (+10000)
North Carolina (+10000)
*DraftKings

–Field Level Media

Sep 7, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans wide receiver Zachariah Branch (1) runs the ball against Utah State Aggies linebacker Jon Ross Maye (1) during the second quarter at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images

Branch brothers to transfer from USC to Georgia

Former Southern California standout wide receiver Zachariah Branch and safety Zion Branch are transferring to Georgia, the brothers announced on Sunday.

Also a star punt and kick returner, Zachariah Branch was USC’s second-leading receiver in 2024, gaining 503 yards and scoring just one touchdown on 47 receptions. He has 78 catches for 823 yards and four total touchdowns (three receiving, one rushing) over two college campaigns.

He was an All-American in 2023 and won the Johnny “The Jet” Rodgers Award as the country’s top return specialist. He led NCAA FBS in punt return average (20.8 yards) in 2023, also pacing the Pac-12 with 332 punt return yards. He averaged 5.7 yards on 13 returns in 2024.

Zachariah Branch has one career TD on a punt return and one on a kickoff return.

“I chose Georgia because I felt like the culture was something special,” he told ESPN. “They have a great coaching staff, the brotherhood within the program, their will to win, being prepared for the next level and being as successful as possible on and off the field was important to me.”

Listed at 5-foot-10 and 175 pounds, he is the No. 4 player and No. 2 wide receiver in the 247Sports transfer portal rankings.

Zion Branch, who like his younger brother has two years of eligibility remaining, is the No. 269 overall player and No. 16 safety in the 247Sports transfer portal rankings.

He finished the season with 19 tackles, one sack and three pass breakups in 12 games. Listed at 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds, he has 41 career tackles in 21 games. He ended the 2022 and 2023 seasons early due to injuries.

“I chose the University of Georgia because of its great coaching staff, their pedigree and the history of the program,” Zion Branch told ESPN. “Georgia has consistently been one of the best programs in college football, and the culture of excellence they’ve built is something I want to be a part of. The coaches are not just about winning games; they’re about building character, fostering growth and pushing players to be their absolute best both on and off the field.”

The brothers, who are Las Vegas natives, join former USC assistant Donte Williams, a defensive backs coach at Georgia since December 2023.

–Field Level Media

Georgia coach Kirby Smart celebrates with his dad Sonny Smart after a NCAA college football game between Tennessee and Georgia in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022. Georgia won 27-13.

Syndication Online Athens

Father of Georgia coach Kirby Smart dies after Sugar Bowl fall

Sonny Smart, the father of Georgia coach Kirby Smart, died early Saturday morning due to complications from hip surgery necessitated after the 76-year-old fell in New Orleans before Thursday’s Sugar Bowl, the university announced.

“Sonny fell while walking during the day on New Year’s Eve in New Orleans and fractured his hip,” the statement said. “He was hospitalized and underwent hip surgery; unfortunately, complications arose. He fought valiantly but was unable to overcome his injuries.”

Sonny Smart was a longtime high school coach in Alabama and Georgia, including coaching football at Holtville High School in Alabama while also leading the baseball team to the state title in 1982.

The University of Georgia said the elder Smart passed away surrounded by his wife, Sharon, and their three children, Karl, Kirby and Kendall.

Kirby Smart was able to visit his father in the hospital several times before and after Georgia’s 23-10 loss in the Sugar Bowl, which was postponed from Wednesday to Thursday following a terrorist attack on Bourbon Street early New Year’s Day that killed 14 people and injured dozens more.

The Smart family thanked the Ochsner Medical Center staff in New Orleans in the school’s statement.

“Additionally, they ask for your continued prayers for those affected by the tragic events that occurred in the early hours of New Year’s Day,” the statement said. “The Smart family treasures everyone’s thoughts and prayers and now prays for God’s comfort, strength, and guidance.”

Sonny Smart played college football at Samford University in Birmingham, Ala. He coached while Kirby played safety at Bainbridge High in Georgia and also coached at Rabun County High in north Georgia.

“He’s taught me so much just about the way you handle things, the right way, the wrong way,” Kirby Smart said of his father in January 2023, per ESPN. “Control the controllables. The moment’s never too big if you’re prepared. And I always watched the way he prepared our teams and our staff in high school.

“He was a very wise man, a man of few words. I tried to follow his mantra as a coach. I’ve certainly evolved from going to coach for other people, but a lot of my core beliefs came from the way he ran our programs in high school.”

–Field Level Media

Jan 2, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Beaux Collins (5) celebrates after scoring a touch down during the second quarter against Georgia Bulldogs at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images

Notre Dame stymies Georgia at Sugar Bowl, moves on to CFP semis

NEW ORLEANS — Jayden Harrison had a record kickoff return for a touchdown, Notre Dame’s defense dominated and the No. 7 seed Fighting Irish defeated No. 2 seed Georgia 23-10 in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal game at the Allstate Sugar Bowl on Thursday.

The Irish’s Riley Leonard passed for just 90 yards but threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to Beaux Collins and rushed for a game-high 80 yards in a game that was postponed from Wednesday night because of the terrorist attack that took place in the French Quarter earlier that day.

Notre Dame, 13-1 after winning its 12th consecutive game, will face No. 6 seed Penn State in a semifinal at the Orange Bowl on Jan. 9 in Miami.

Sophomore Gunner Stockton made his first start at quarterback for the Bulldogs (11-3) in place of Carson Beck, who suffered a season-ending elbow injury in the SEC championship game. Stockton completed 20 of 32 for 234 yards with one touchdown.

Notre Dame scored the game’s first touchdown with 27 seconds left in the first half and extended its lead to 20-3 when Harrison returned the second-half kickoff a CFP-record 98 yards for a touchdown.

Stockton threw a 32-yard touchdown pass to Cash Jones to trim the lead to 10 points at the end of the third quarter.

On the third play of the fourth quarter Mitch Jeter kicked a 47-yard field goal to push the lead to 23-10. The Bulldogs had a chance to make it a one-score game, but Stockton threw an incompletion on fourth-and-5 from the Irish 9.

The game was scoreless through one quarter. Peyton Woodring kicked a 41-yard field goal for Georgia and Jeter kicked a 44-yarder to tie the score.

Jeter added a 48-yarder to give Notre Dame a 6-3 lead with 39 seconds left in the half. On the next play, RJ Oben forced Stockton to fumble while being sacked, Junior Tuihalamaka recovered for the Irish and Leonard and Collins teamed on their touchdown to give them a 13-3 halftime lead.

–Les East, Field Level Media

Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) looks to throw a pass during overtime of the SEC championship game against Texas in Atlanta, on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024.

Sugar Bowl: Notre Dame-Georgia Preview, Props & Prediction

The fourth semifinalist for the 2025 College Football Playoff will be determined when seventh seeded Notre Dame and No. 2 seed Georgia square off in the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans on Thursday.

The game was delayed a day following the suspected terrorist attack that killed at least 15 people and injured dozens more who were celebrating the New Year in New Orleans’ French Quarter.

The game will now take place amid heightened security, with the winner moving on to face Penn State in the semifinals.

ODDS AND TRENDS
After Georgia (11-2) spent the majority of the week as a slight favorite at most sportsbooks, the consensus line had shifted to Notre Dame -1.0 at several sportsbooks by Wednesday night.

The Bulldogs opened at -1.5 at BetMGM, but had flipped to underdogs despite the public backing Georgia with 54 percent of the spread-line bets and 51 percent of the money as of Thursday morning. Meanwhile, BetRivers reported 58 percent of the spread-line money backing Notre Dame (12-1), which was still a half-point underdog at the book.

BetRivers also reported that only Arizona State and Marshall have had a better record against the spread this season than Notre Dame’s 10-2-1 mark. The Fighting Irish have also covered the spread in eight consecutive games, while the Bulldogs have failed to cover in four of their past six.

The bowl season has produced numerous high-scoring affairs, and the 45.5 total points line at BetMGM has seen the Over draw 54 percent of the money.

Four of the past six games for both teams have hit the Over at BetRivers.

PROP PICKS
–Georgia QB Gunner Stockton 2+ Passing TDs (+205 at DraftKings): This has been the most popular player prop at the book despite Stockton’s limited experience entering such a massive game. Carson Beck’s replacement has attempted only 32 passes all season, with 16 of them coming in place of the injured Beck in the SEC Championship Game. He did complete 75.0 percent of his passes while leading an effective offense to help secure an overtime victory over Texas.

–Notre Dame QB Riley Leonard Over 40.5 Rushing Yards (-130 at BetMGM): The duel-threat quarterback has rushed for 751 yards and 15 touchdowns this season. Leonard didn’t need to use his legs as much in the rout of Indiana on Dec. 20, but did produce at least 41 rushing yards eight times this season.

THE NEWS
Stockton replaced Beck and completed 12 of 16 passes for 71 yards with an interception in Georgia’s 22-19 overtime win against Texas. The victory solidified a playoff bye and extra preparation time for the Bulldogs, though they didn’t know their opponent until almost two weeks later when Notre Dame advanced with a 27-17 first-round playoff victory against Indiana in South Bend, Ind.

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart said the extra time helped Stockton by giving him added reps with the first team, though the Bulldogs’ game preparation was limited until they knew their opponent.

“I think the biggest thing (for Stockton) is just competition and practice, the situations we put him in,” Smart said. “All those things allow him to get better as a quarterback.”

Stockton has completed 25 of 32 passes for 206 yards and no touchdowns this season, with one interception. Freshman Nate Frazier leads the running game with 634 yards and eight TDs on 129 carries.

Freeman said he and his staff have “80-something plays” of Stockton to study.

“He can run their offense,” Freeman said. “He does things a little bit differently. He can extend plays with his legs; he’s a good athlete. The thing I probably noticed most about him, he’s an ultra-competitive individual.”

Smart downplayed the possibility that Stockton’s running ability will lead to much difference in the Bulldogs’ game plan.

“We are who we are,” Smart said.

The flip side to the break between games is that Georgia will have had the equivalent of 3 1/2 byes while Notre Dame stayed sharp by winning its 11th consecutive game.

“It’s really just hard to manage how you keep your players in football shape and game shape,” Smart said. “Do you lose some rhythm? You watch it most times in bowl games, people that have those long breaks, it can affect how you play.”

Notre Dame, like fellow first-round winners Penn State, Ohio State and Texas, is adjusting to playing back-to-back postseason games as part of the 12-team CFP.

“Obviously, this is a first for me,” head coach Marcus Freeman said. “You almost prepared for this first round like it was maybe even a bowl game-ish-type opportunity. But then you realize once the game was over, you get back to preparation. …

“In the playoffs, you’ve got to prepare in a way that gives your program the best opportunity to win. Put everything on the table and then, if you’re able to get the outcome you want, you’ve got to go right back to preparation.”

The Irish will go through the rest of the season without defensive tackle Rylie Mills because of a knee injury he suffered against Indiana.

“The value (Mills) provided this team is tremendous,” Freeman said. “And he’s done an excellent job as a football player and a leader.

“You’ve got to replace what he did for our defense in different ways. We have capable guys that will step up, that have stepped up all year that we’re very confident in.”

Mills had 7 1/2 sacks this season, and he and preseason All-American Howard Cross III helped the defense overcome the loss of another preseason All-American, cornerback Benjamin Morrison, who sustained a season-ending hip injury in October.

Cross missed the final three regular-season games because of a high ankle sprain but returned against Indiana.

On offense, Leonard has thrown for 2,293 yards and 17 touchdowns against six interceptions, and Jeremiyah Love averages 7.4 yards per carry, posting 1,057 rushing yards and 16 TDs on 142 attempts.

PREDICTION
This may be the most difficult of the four quarterfinal games to evaluate. While Notre Dame has played a relatively weak schedule that has not featured any top-10 opponents, Georgia easily could have lost more than just two games this season and is relying on a backup quarterback. Stockton was impressive in relief against Texas, and we’re banking on the Bulldogs’ defense being the strong unit on the field Thursday. –Georgia 27, Notre Dame 23

–Field Level Media

Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) looks to throw a pass during overtime of the SEC championship game against Texas in Atlanta, on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024.

No. 2 Georgia, with new starter at QB, faces No. 7 Notre Dame in Sugar Bowl

Georgia has had more time than Notre Dame to prepare for their College Football Playoff quarterfinal game in the Sugar Bowl on Wednesday night in New Orleans.

And that will come in handy for a team turning to an inexperienced quarterback with the season on the line.

Sophomore Gunner Stockton will start for the No. 2-seeded Bulldogs (11-2) against the No. 7-seeded Fighting Irish (12-1) after Carson Beck underwent season-ending surgery to repair an elbow injury suffered in the second quarter of the SEC Championship Game on Dec. 7.

Stockton replaced Beck and completed 12 of 16 passes for 71 yards with an interception in Georgia’s 22-19 overtime win against Texas. The victory solidified a playoff bye and extra preparation time for the Bulldogs, though they didn’t know their opponent until almost two weeks later when Notre Dame advanced with a 27-17 first-round playoff victory against Indiana on Dec. 20 in South Bend, Ind.

Georgia coach Kirby Smart said the extra time helped Stockton by giving him added reps with the first team, though the Bulldogs’ game preparation was limited until they knew their opponent.

“I think the biggest thing (for Stockton) is just competition and practice, the situations we put him in,” Smart said. “All those things allow him to get better as a quarterback.”

Stockton has completed 25 of 32 passes for 206 yards and no touchdowns this season, with one interception. Freshman Nate Frazier leads the running game with 634 yards and eight TDs on 129 carries.

Irish coach Marcus Freeman said he and his staff have “80-something plays” of Stockton to study.

“He can run their offense,” Freeman said. “He does things a little bit differently. He can extend plays with his legs; he’s a good athlete. The thing I probably noticed most about him, he’s an ultra-competitive individual.”

Smart downplayed the possibility that Stockton’s running ability will lead to much difference in the Bulldogs’ game plan.

“We are who we are,” Smart said.

The flip side to the break between games is that Georgia will have had the equivalent of 3 1/2 byes while Notre Dame stayed sharp by winning its 11th consecutive game.

“It’s really just hard to manage how you keep your players in football shape and game shape,” Smart said. “Do you lose some rhythm? You watch it most times in bowl games, people that have those long breaks, it can affect how you play.”

Notre Dame, like fellow first-round winners Penn State, Ohio State and Texas, is adjusting to playing back-to-back postseason games as part of the 12-team CFP.

“Obviously, this is a first for me,” Freeman said. “You almost prepared for this first round like it was maybe even a bowl game-ish-type opportunity. But then you realize once the game was over, you get back to preparation. …

“In the playoffs, you’ve got to prepare in a way that gives your program the best opportunity to win. Put everything on the table and then, if you’re able to get the outcome you want, you’ve got to go right back to preparation.”

The Irish will go through the rest of the season without defensive tackle Rylie Mills because of a knee injury he suffered against Indiana.

“The value (Mills) provided this team is tremendous,” Freeman said. “And he’s done an excellent job as a football player and a leader.

“You’ve got to replace what he did for our defense in different ways. We have capable guys that will step up, that have stepped up all year that we’re very confident in.”

Mills had 7 1/2 sacks this season, and he and preseason All-American Howard Cross III helped the defense overcome the loss of another preseason All-American, cornerback Benjamin Morrison, who sustained a season-ending hip injury in October.

Cross missed the final three regular-season games because of a high ankle sprain but returned against Indiana.

On offense, Notre Dame’s Riley Leonard has thrown for 2,293 yards and 17 touchdowns against six interceptions, and Jeremiyah Love averages 7.4 yards per carry, posting 1,057 rushing yards and 16 TDs on 142 attempts.

–Field Level Media

Georgia quarterback Carson Beck (15) putts in his mouth grad on the final play during overtime of the SEC championship game against Texas in Atlanta, on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024.

Georgia QB Carson Beck declares for 2025 NFL Draft

Georgia quarterback Carson Beck announced Saturday that he will forgo his final year of eligibility and enter the 2025 NFL Draft.

Beck, 22, led the Southeastern Conference with 28 touchdown passes and finished third in the SEC with 3,485 passing yards. He also led the conference in interceptions, however.

Beck will be a spectator for the Bulldogs in the College Football Playoff after undergoing surgery Monday to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his right (throwing) elbow.

Gunner Stockton is in line to guide No. 2 seed Georgia into the CFP, starting with the Bulldogs’ quarterfinal game against No. 7 seed Notre Dame at the Sugar Bowl on Wednesday in New Orleans.

“There’s unfinished business still this season and I’ll be here to support however I can, finish strong!” Beck said in a statement posted on social media.

Beck, a fifth-year senior, finished with a 24-3 record in his career with Georgia.

“The past five years at the University of Georgia have been nothing short of a dream come true and I will forever cherish the memories that have been made. Thank you Dawg Nation for the time I’ve been here and to those who’ve supported and believed in me, thank you,” Beck wrote on social media. “It’s been an incredible journey and all these moments have ultimately led me to take the next step in my football career. With that being said, I will be declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft. Go Dawgs!”

Beck, the Bulldogs’ starter all year, was replaced in the second half of the SEC title game with the injury. Stockton helped to guide the Bulldogs to a 22-19 overtime win over Texas and clinch a first-round bye in the first 12-team playoff.

–Field Level Media

Georgia quarterback Carson Beck (15) goes down after a hit on this trowing shoulder during the first half of the SEC championship game against Texas in Atlanta, on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024.

Georgia QB Carson Beck has shoulder surgery, out for CFP

Georgia quarterback Carson Beck underwent elbow surgery Monday and will not play in the College Football Playoff, the school announced.

Beck had successful surgery to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his right (throwing) elbow. He saw Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles for the procedure.

That leaves Gunner Stockton in line to guide No. 2 seed Georgia into the CFP, starting with the Bulldogs’ quarterfinal game against No. 7 seed Notre Dame at the Sugar Bowl Jan. 1 in New Orleans.

“(Stockton) got lots of reps prior to these practices, but he’s getting much more now,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart said earlier in the day. “I do think … when you get ready for an opponent like Notre Dame, you need time, and we have time.”

It also means Beck may have played his final game of college football, as before the injury he was expected to be a high pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Beck, the Bulldogs’ starter all year, missed most of the second half of the Southeastern Conference title game with the injury. Stockton helped guide the Bulldogs to a 22-19 overtime win over Texas and clinch a first-round bye in the first 12-team playoff.

Beck threw for 3,485 yards, 28 touchdowns and 12 interceptions this season, his second as Georgia’s starting quarterback.

Stockton has amassed 206 passing yards, no touchdowns and one interception in three appearances this season.

–Field Level Media

Oct 12, 2024; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard (18) celebrates scoring a touchdown during the first half of the NCAA football game against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium

Ohio State favored to beat No. 1 Oregon in CFP quarters

One of Ohio State’s two losses this season came against No. 1 Oregon, but that didn’t dissuade oddsmakers from installing the eighth-seeded Buckeyes as favorites to beat the Ducks in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals.

Shortly after Ohio State finished off it’s 42-17 rout of No. 9 Tennessee on Saturday night, the Buckeyes opened as 1.0-point favorites at DraftKings and 1.5-point favorites at BetRivers to beat Oregon on New Year’s Day.

The teams met earlier this season in one of the most memorable games of the 2024 regular season. The Buckeyes visited Autzen Stadium on Oct. 12 and walked away with a dramatic 32-31 defeat. A rematch in the Big Ten title game appeared likely until Ohio State was upset at home by unranked Michigan to close the regular season.

Oddsmakers are clearly placing more weight on Saturday’s convincing win over Tennessee in the final game of the opening round of the CFP.

Oregon will enter the quarterfinal clash with a perfect 13-0 record, but it will be nearly a month since the Ducks beat Penn State in the Big Ten title game.

Many believe the CFP committee essentially rewarded the Nittany Lions despite that loss. While Oregon faces a potential CFP gauntlet of Ohio State, No. 5 Texas and No. 2 Georgia, Penn State opened with a 38-10 blowout win over No. 11 SMU on Saturday.

Up next is Boise State, which is seeded third but hails from the Mountain West Conference. Penn State opened as a 10.5-point favorite at both sportsbooks. Only Texas, which faces No. 4 Arizona State, is a bigger favorite among the quarterfinal matchups at 13.5 points.

Georgia and No. 7 Notre Dame will be the final CFP game on New Year’s Day. The Bulldogs opened as 1.5-point favorites at DraftKings, while BetRivers installed Georgia as a 3.0-point favorite.

The road to a national title will require one of the remaining teams to reel off three consecutive victories. For Texas, Penn State, Notre Dame and Ohio State, that will mean winning four playoff games — although each of them won their first-round matchups handily.

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP ODDS*
Texas (+340)
Ohio State (+380)
Oregon (+400)
Penn State (+475)
Georgia (+550)
Notre Dame (+550)
Boise State (+7000)
Arizona State (+7000)
*DraftKings

–Field Level Media

Georgia quarterback Carson Beck (15) throws the ball during the first half of a NCAA college football game against Georgia Tech in Athens, Ga., on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024.

Report: Georgia QB Carson Beck out for CFP quarterfinals

Georgia quarterback Carson Beck (elbow) is expected to miss the team’s College Football Playoff quarterfinal game at the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1, On3 reported Thursday.

That means backup Gunner Stockton is in line to start the knockout round game, when the Bulldogs face either No. 7 seed Notre Dame or No. 10 seed Indiana.

Beck, the Bulldogs’ starter all year, missed most of the second half of the Southeastern Conference title game with an injury to the UCL in his right (throwing) elbow. Stockton helped guide the Bulldogs to a 22-19 overtime win over Texas and clinch a first-round bye in the first 12-team playoff.

On3 reported that Beck has not practiced or been with the team since it returned to workouts late last week.

It is unknown whether Beck would be ready to return for the semifinal round if the Bulldogs make it that far.

Beck has thrown for 3,485 yards, 28 touchdowns and 12 interceptions this season, his second as Georgia’s starting quarterback.

–Field Level Media