As the college football bowl season approaches, one of the more curious developments has been the fact that the University of Georgia’s bowl game will not be played in their home state of Georgia—specifically, not in Atlanta, which is widely considered the heart of Georgia football. This situation has raised several questions for Georgia fans and college football enthusiasts alike: How did this happen? What does it mean for the program? And what factors went into the decision for Georgia’s bowl game to be held elsewhere?
Georgia is one of the most prestigious college football programs in the country. The Bulldogs are consistently ranked among the top teams in the SEC and have a proud tradition of football excellence, including recent national championships and playoff appearances. So, the expectation from many fans and pundits is that Georgia, with its rich football culture, would always find itself playing in one of the most prestigious bowl games in their own backyard. Yet, this season, that will not be the case.
Here’s a deep dive into why Georgia’s bowl game isn’t in Atlanta and what factors are behind this decision.
The Power of the College Football Playoff System
One of the main reasons Georgia’s bowl game won’t be played in Atlanta has to do with the changing landscape of college football’s postseason structure, particularly the College Football Playoff (CFP) system. While Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium has historically been a major venue for bowl games, including the Peach Bowl, this season’s bowl picture is more complicated due to the expansion of the College Football Playoff and the new bowl assignment rules.
As of 2024, the College Football Playoff has expanded to 12 teams, and that means more bowl games are involved in the postseason mix. With this increased number of teams, the allocation of bowl games has become more complex. Teams that previously may have played in their home state or in nearby locations are now being assigned to more varied destinations based on rankings, seedings, and the logistics of the playoff system. For Georgia, this means that their postseason destination was affected by the number of teams in the running for bowl games, as well as their position in the CFP rankings.
In particular, Georgia was ranked high enough to earn a spot in one of the major bowls, but not quite high enough to land a position in the College Football Playoff itself. This places them in the mix for the New Year’s Six bowls, which are the highest-profile games outside of the playoff. Some of these prestigious bowls, such as the Rose Bowl or Sugar Bowl, are held in venues far from Georgia’s home turf. These bowls, which have long-established traditions, are often assigned based on factors like conference affiliation, geographic balance, and the overall strength of the participating teams.
For Georgia, a potential destination like the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans or the Orange Bowl in Miami became a likely outcome. The movement of Georgia out of Atlanta is largely due to these bowl assignments being based on rankings, matchups, and the historical contracts that different bowl games have with specific conferences.
The New Year’s Six and Conference Tie-Ins
The College Football Playoff selection committee has its own set of criteria for selecting teams for the New Year’s Six bowls, and these bowls are often the destination for teams that do not make the playoff itself. While Georgia certainly had a strong case for a spot in the top four of the CFP rankings, the expanded playoff system meant that some other teams from the SEC, such as Alabama and LSU, also made strong cases for spots in the playoff or the highest-profile bowls. This left Georgia in a position where they were eligible for high-profile bowl games but not necessarily for those held in Georgia.
For instance, the Sugar Bowl, typically played in New Orleans, has a conference tie-in with the SEC, and the Orange Bowl in Miami, another marquee postseason matchup, often features teams from the SEC. Both of these bowls represent significant opportunities for the Georgia Bulldogs, as they allow for high-profile national matchups and a chance to showcase their talent on a larger stage. With teams like Alabama and LSU also in the postseason conversation, Georgia found itself in a position where it was better suited for one of these prestigious bowls rather than playing a game closer to home in Atlanta.
The Rose Bowl, which is another prestigious postseason game, is traditionally tied to the Big Ten and Pac-12 conferences. However, with the expanded playoff, there is now the possibility for the Bulldogs to face top-tier opponents in these major games outside of their home state.
The Impact of Bowl Rotation and Conference Placement
Another factor in Georgia’s bowl destination not being in Atlanta has to do with the rotational nature of bowl assignments. The New Year’s Six bowls have been rotating in recent years, with teams from different conferences assigned to play in various locations. While Atlanta has traditionally hosted major SEC bowl games like the Peach Bowl and served as a key destination for teams in the SEC, the bowl game rotation system ensures that teams are not consistently assigned to the same location. This year, it simply happened to be Georgia’s turn to play in a bowl game outside of Atlanta.
Moreover, the conference placement of teams and the specific bowl agreements they have with other conferences can affect the destination of bowl games. The SEC has long-standing agreements with multiple prestigious bowls, including the Sugar Bowl, Orange Bowl, and the Citrus Bowl. As such, Georgia’s bowl game could have been influenced by these agreements and the specific matchups based on team rankings. With other high-ranked teams in the SEC, Georgia found itself in a situation where they would not be playing in Atlanta but rather in a bowl further from home, one that still carries immense prestige.
The Need for Fairness and Balanced Representation
Another important factor to consider is the need for fairness and balanced geographic representation in the postseason. The College Football Playoff and the selection committee aim to ensure that no one region dominates the postseason while ensuring that all teams, regardless of conference, have an opportunity to compete in meaningful bowl games. By spreading the postseason across the country, including locations like New Orleans, Miami, and Pasadena, the system ensures that fans from all over the country can experience top-tier bowl games.
While Georgia fans would no doubt love to see their team playing in their home state, the broader picture is one that aims to create a more fair and balanced postseason experience for all teams involved. Having bowl games in various regions also promotes the sport’s growth, helping to spread college football’s excitement to fans outside of major football hubs like Georgia, Alabama, and Florida.
The Bigger Picture: A Strong Bowl Game Regardless of Location
Despite Georgia’s bowl game not being in Atlanta, it’s important to emphasize that the Bulldogs will still be playing in one of the biggest and most prestigious bowl games of the season. Whether it’s the Sugar Bowl, the Orange Bowl, or another major postseason matchup, Georgia’s bowl appearance is a testament to their continued excellence as a program. Playing in a high-profile bowl game provides Georgia with the opportunity to showcase its talent to a national audience and finish the season on a high note.
Additionally, Georgia has built a program that consistently competes for national championships. Their bowl game, wherever it is held, will be an exciting opportunity for fans to see their team in action against some of the top teams in the country. The fact that the Bulldogs are in this position, year after year, is a reflection of the program’s sustained success under Kirby Smart’s leadership.
Conclusion: A New Era of College Football Bowl Games
While Georgia’s bowl game may not be held in Atlanta this season, it is a clear indicator of how the college football landscape has changed with the introduction of the expanded playoff system and the evolving bowl game rotations. As Georgia continues to contend for national titles and participate in some of the most prestigious bowl games, the location of their bowl game is just one aspect of the bigger picture. Fans should continue to rally behind their team, no matter where the bowl game is played, knowing that Georgia football is in a great position to make noise on the national stage for years to come. The Bulldogs have truly cemented their place as one of the premier programs in college football, and their bowl game—wherever it takes place—will be a celebration of their hard work and achievements.