Don’t think Georgia’s playoff chances took a huge hit after the loss to Alabama Saturday night. ESPN’s Heather Dinich took a look at what’s to come following the instant classic.

Sure, there’s a tough schedule ahead that includes the Texas Longhorns. But the Bulldogs are set up nice to make a climb right back up the polls.

Of course, the initial set of rankings don’t come out until later in the year, but Dinich provided an inside look.

“When you look at the Georgia aspect of this, because they played such a tough game in the second half, they changed the narrative and the perception of this game in the committee meeting room,” Dinich said on SportsCenter. “So this is what would be considered a good loss. However, they lost some cushion that they’re going to need down the stretch, because when you look at the rest of Georgia’s schedule, it’s extremely difficult: at Texas, at Ole Miss, home against Tennessee, they are not expected to win all of those games, according to ESPN analytics. 

“And if they’re fighting for an at-large bid, also at stake in the 12 team playoff is a first round home game that’s awarded to teams seeded five through eight. So even though the 12 team playoff has changed and is more forgiving, there’s still a lot on the line from this game.”

Dinich mentioned the Alabama win could vault them up the rankings, including making a case for No. 1.

“Alabama made a case for the number one team in the country, because the Tide just got arguably the best win in the country, at least as the month of September comes to a close,” Dinich said. “And it came a week after a respectable road win at Wisconsin.

“What this does is it gives Alabama an edge in the SEC standings. And remember, the four highest ranked Conference Champions earn a first round bye. Alabama is on the lead for that path. But don’t forget about Texas.”

Alabama, Georgia could lead playoff mix in the end

Georgia could conceivably win the SEC still. It’s not out of the question to win out and then have a rematch with Alabama in the SEC Championship, grabbing a top four seed.

At that point, Georgia would have a first round bye into the quarterfinals.

However, Kirby Smart lost to Alabama again. This time, Georgia fell to the new look Crimson Tide led by Kalen DeBoer.

“What’s everybody else’s record against them? Anybody got one better than 1-6?” Smart asked, rhetorically, in his postgame presser. “That’s played them six times? I don’t think so. I think they’ve got really good players, they’ve got a great program. I’ve got an immense amount of respect for ’em. They do a great job.”

Smart went on, complimenting the work done by Saban to lay the foundation over his long tenure of storied success in Tuscaloosa, and DeBoer for taking what was given to him and evidently running with it.

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