ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI) places the University of Georgia at No. 5 in its 2026 preseason outlook, assigning the Bulldogs a rating of 24.8. That figure translates to a projected advantage of almost 25 points per game over the typical FBS opponent.
Only Ohio State tops the list, holding the No. 1 spot with a 28.7 rating, while the rest of the top tier includes programs such as Alabama, Michigan and Clemson, each jockeying for the highest projected win totals.
Despite the optimism, Georgia’s schedule strength ranks 20th nationally and stands as the lowest among SEC contenders, a factor that could temper the Bulldogs’ win total, which the model projects at 9.9 victories.
That win total places Georgia behind programs like Texas Tech, Notre Dame, Miami, Ohio State, Oregon and Indiana, all of which the index expects to finish with more projected successes.
The index also forecasts a 22.9 % probability that the Bulldogs will capture the SEC championship, while Texas leads the conference with a 29.7 % chance. In the broader playoff picture, Georgia’s 63.7 % chance of earning a College Football Playoff berth ranks fifth overall, trailing only Ohio State, Notre Dame, Texas and Oregon.
Historical Context
Looking back, the Bulldogs have oscillated through the rankings, sitting No. 2 in the 2025 preseason, No. 1 in 2024, No. 3 in 2023 and 2019, and No. 3 in 2018, illustrating a program that consistently hovers near the top tier.