Thursday night delivered a seismic shakeup to college football: Georgia might head into the College Football Playoff without their star quarterback, Carson Beck. Beck, who suffered an elbow injury to his throwing arm during the SEC Championship win over Texas, hasn’t taken a snap in practice since the game and is reportedly considering surgery, per ESPN.
With the Allstate Sugar Bowl looming and a showdown against either Indiana or Notre Dame on the horizon, the question on everyone’s mind is clear—can Georgia still win it all without Beck under center? ESPN’s Paul Finebaum didn’t hesitate to answer.
“Does this crush their title hopes?” Mike Greenberg asked on *Get Up*. “Absolutely not,” Finebaum shot back. “Georgia has been preparing for this exact situation since the SEC Championship. Gunner Stockton is ready to take the reins, and I think they’ll be just fine, Greeny.”
Stockton, the Bulldogs’ backup quarterback, turned heads during his unexpected SEC title game appearance. Despite the pressure, he led Georgia to a heart-stopping overtime victory, completing 12-of-16 passes for 71 yards. Though he threw one interception, his ability to keep his composure showcased his readiness for the big stage.
Georgia’s head coach Kirby Smart echoed that confidence. “Gunner’s strengths are different from Carson’s, but we’ve been ready for this scenario,” Smart told ESPN. “There’s not a single game plan where we don’t prepare for our backup QB to step in and deliver. Gunner is ready to roll.”
The Bulldogs, now laser-focused on their January 1st Sugar Bowl showdown in New Orleans, await the winner of tonight’s clash between Indiana and Notre Dame. While Beck’s absence is a blow, Georgia’s depth, preparation, and determination make it clear they aren’t backing down from their championship mission.
The Bulldogs have proven all season why they’re a powerhouse, and according to Finebaum, they’re not done yet. “Georgia’s been here before—they’re built for this,” he declared. “With or without Carson Beck, this team is championship material.”
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