Georgia’s biggest playoff question in 2025 isn’t Gunner Stockton

Everyone’s focused on Georgia’s new quarterback. But if the Bulldogs fall short of another College Football Playoff run, it won’t be because of Gunner Stockton.

It might be the guys catching the ball.

Georgia enters the 2025 season with one of the strongest rosters in the country and the second-highest national championship odds behind Ohio State. ESPN Analytics gives the Bulldogs a 78.6 percent chance to reach the playoff and a 17.9 percent shot to win it all.

But last season, Georgia led the entire Power Four in dropped passes. That stat crushed drives, stalled momentum and showed up in the worst moments. If that trend doesn’t flip quickly, it won’t matter who is under center.

This team will need cleaner execution to survive the SEC.

Georgia’s toughest test is already circled

Nov. 15 against Texas is the only game where Georgia is not favored, according to ESPN’s Football Power Index. The Longhorns visit Athens late in the season in a potential top-five matchup, and it could decide which team claims one of the top two playoff seeds.

If Georgia wins, it could still make the playoff even with an SEC title game loss. But a loss to Texas may mean Georgia has to win out to have any chance at a bid.

Why Georgia still controls its path

The Bulldogs have a huge opportunity early. A 4–0 start with wins over Tennessee and Alabama would put them in the driver’s seat nationally. If both teams finish inside the CFP Top 25, those wins would be remembered by the committee through Selection Day.

That means Georgia could still make the playoff even if it finishes without a conference championship.

Where things could fall apart

The schedule looks manageable on paper, but it has landmines. Georgia plays true road games at Tennessee, Auburn and Mississippi State. None of those are guaranteed wins.

The neutral-site game against Florida is another key spot for Georgia to prove it can win away from Athens. And with three of the Bulldogs’ home games coming against Marshall, FCS opponent Austin Peay and Charlotte, there won’t be much room to slip up.

Georgia doesn’t need to be perfect. But if the receivers don’t clean up last year’s mistakes and the run game can’t support Stockton, then perfect might be the only way in.

This team still has the talent to win the SEC and return to the playoff, but the margin is thinner than it looks.