James Cook Says Georgia Would’ve Won Title, CFP Committee Knew Saban Was Retiring

We are closing in on being a month removed from the Michigan Wolverines winning the national title and the legendary Nick Saban announcing his retirement from football. As we have learned over the years though, college football fans hold grudges and will stand by their teams till the end of time, and former players can be the same way. Former Georgia running back and current Buffalo Bill James Cook explained to USA Today how the Bulldogs were robbed of winning three straight national titles. Cook was part of the 2021 national title team that went on to beat Alabama and end the 40-plus year championship drought for the program. Here is what Cook had to say: “We were supposed to be in [the playoffs] this year. If Georgia is in the playoffs this year, we win it all. And I think they didn’t want to see us go back-to-back-to-back… We lost one game to Alabama in the SEC Championship and haven’t been beaten the whole season. It was like the same scenario my last year in college. We won every game and lost to Alabama in the SEC Championship but we still got in and went on and won it all. But I just feel like they knew Nick Saban was gonna retire so they tried to sneak him in one.”

In some capacity, it’s hard to argue with Cooks’ logic. Especially when you factor in that it was announced Georgia would have been favored over both Michigan and Washington if they played in this year’s national title game. Nonetheless, the Wolverines were the team who accomplished what was required to be crowned champions this year, not the Bulldogs. But everything is pointing toward 2024 being another great opportunity for head coach Kirby Smart and his program to make another push for a championship. Cook is coming off of a stellar second year in the NFL as he placed his name into the Buffalo Bills history books. In 2023, Cook rushed for 1,122 yards, averaging 4.7 yards per carry and also racked up 445 receiving yards. He is the first Bill to reach the 1,000 rushing yard mark since LeSeason McCoy in 2017 and is the first to reach that mark within the first two years of his career since Marshawn Lynch in 2007.

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Georgia Bulldogs Put On a Show In the Senior Bowl

The last bit of live college football action took place today, and the players representing Georgia helped their draft stock tremendously.

The Reese’s Senior Bowl game occurred today between two teams, multiple NFL scouts and coaches, in front of a sold-out crowd. Players from each level and conference had an opportunity to compete in this game for two teams that have a coaching staff of current NFL assistant coaches. One team is the National Team, but the Georgia Bulldogs are represented throughout the American Team.

The Dawgs have already put on a show in practice this week, with Javon Bullard and Ladd McConkey taking home awards for their play. These two players, along with Tykee Smith, Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint, Daijun Edwards, and William Mote, excelled today for the American Team. One thing to note from today’s game is that each quarter gets a two-minute warning.

To start the game, “Ro-Jack” got the start at wide receiver, playing at the “X” position. He got a “go” route from the National team’s 29-yard line facing press coverage and won off the snap of the ball, beating his defender and high-pointing the pass from South Carolina’s Spencer Rattler for the game’s first score. Mote snapped the PAT, and the American team is up 7-0.

The American Team then went to defense, and Tykee Smith started at slot cornerback, forcing a three-and-out. McConkey got in on the American Team’s second offensive drive, which became a punt for Mote and Smith. Bullard got in at safety on the second defensive drive; he picked up a tackle and assisted on two more but had a tough job picking up the play action in zone coverage in the red zone, which allowed the National Team to tie the game at 7.

The National Team tried to get the ball to North Carolina WR Tez Walker on a few deep routes to end the first quarter, but Smith wasn’t letting that happen, breaking up a pass to end the quarter. Another rule of the Senior Bowl is that there is a change of possession to start each quarter, meaning the American Team was back on offense, but Tennessee QB Joe Milton threw an interception to end that drive.

Things stayed tied heading into halftime, but Mote and Will Reichard from Alabama attempted a 52-yard field goal, which bounced off the right upright, and the National team attempted a 32-yarder that went wide right. The National Team will get the ball back coming out of halftime. Tykee Smith welcomed their offense with a run-stuffing tackle out of the gates, then was joined by Bullard, who tackled Luke McCaffrey. Smith then had a pass breakup on Penn State tight end Theo Johnson to force a field goal as the National Team took the lead 10-7. At the end of the third quarter, the National Team grew their lead with a 52-yard field goal, extending their lead 13-7.

To start the fourth quarter, McConkey and Rosemy-Jacksaint were able to share the field. “Ro-Jack” had one target but had the pass broken up. McConkey was also targeted, but the pass from South Alabama QB Carter Bradley was too high. Tykee Smith had a booming hit to break up a third-down pass by the National Team and force a punt on the ensuing drive. McConkey returned the punt for about five yards. Joe Milton was put back in at QB and found McConkey for a first-down, 15-yard reception. Milton then threw an interception that was returned to the 1-yard line, but TCU RB Emani Bailey stopped him just before it was a pick-six. The American defense bowed their necks as Smith assisted on a run play, forcing a third down, which turned into a field goal. National Team won the game, 16-7.

It wasn’t the production that many expected McConkey to have, but he finished with 15 yards, and “Ro-Jack” finished with 29 yards and the lone score for the American Team. Smith had a couple of pass breakups and tackles playing alongside Bullard, who had a few tackles of his own. Mote had plenty of action this game, snapping the ball for a bunch of punts, a PAT, and a field goal.

Emani Bailey is one player who stood out today for the American Team. The TCU running back got a lot of work on the first touchdown drive for them, which set up Rosemy-Jacksaint’s touchdown catch. But Spencer Rattler won the MVP of the game, completing all four of his passes for 65 yards, including the touchdown pass to Rosemy-Jacksaint. The next time you can see these Dawgs in action is when the NFL Combine rolls around from February 27th to March 4th.