The 2024 Georgia Bulldogs bear striking similarities to the 2014 Florida State Seminoles.
Both teams entered the season with high expectations after exceptional previous years. Florida State and Georgia returned veteran quarterbacks and boasted immensely talented rosters, but something seemed off. In 2014, FSU quarterback Jameis Winston, coming off a Heisman and national title win, had a rocky season. Despite throwing for 3,907 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 18 interceptions, Winston led the Seminoles to an undefeated 12-0 regular season, with many clutch drives in the second half.
Similarly, Georgia’s quarterback Carson Beck entered the 2024 season as a Heisman contender but has had issues with ball security at times. With 3,429 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions, Beck has shown improvement, especially in the second halves of games.
Florida State faced a tough schedule but managed to go undefeated in one-score games, including a narrow 37-35 win in the ACC Championship over Georgia Tech. Likewise, Georgia earned a close 2-point win over the Yellow Jackets in 2024.
In 2015, FSU had 11 players drafted, and Georgia is expected to match that number in the 2025 NFL Draft, with seven Bulldogs currently ranked in the top 100. In terms of scoring, Florida State averaged 33.7 points per game while allowing 25.6. Georgia is similarly strong, posting 34.1 points per game and giving up 20.5.
FSU’s secondary in 2014 featured future first-round pick Jalen Ramsey, while Georgia safety Malaki Starks is also projected as a first-round selection.
However, Florida State’s magic ended in a 59-20 blowout loss to Oregon in the College Football Playoff semifinals, where five turnovers and a second-half collapse doomed the Seminoles. Will Georgia face a similar fate? With two losses on a tough schedule, Georgia has shown moments of vulnerability, particularly in road losses to Alabama and Ole Miss. Despite these setbacks, the Bulldogs have shown they won’t quit under any circumstances, making them a formidable force moving forward.
