You know, it’s funny how things work out in the world of college football. You’d expect your alma mater to always be at the top, especially when they’ve been dominating the scene for years. But when the first College Football Playoff rankings came out, and they put Ohio State at No. 1, it had Hines Ward, the former Bulldog and two-time Super Bowl champion, feeling some type of way.
“Yeah, I did feel some type of way in the sense that we’ve been at the top for a very long time,” Hines Ward, the legendary Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver who played for the University of Georgia from 1994 to 1997, recently told Fox News Digital. “For us not to be on top for the playoffs [rankings], listen, it is what it is. We’re not the flashiest team. We just go out there and kick tail, kick butt every weekend. We have a great running game, a great defense by Kirby. So we’re not going to make excuses, and it’s not really how you start, it’s how you finish. At the very end, as long as we’re there playing in the championship game and going on our quest for another championship, that’s all that matters.”
Hines Ward, a true legend in both the college and NFL world, knows a thing or two about winning and perseverance. And he certainly has a point about the rankings. Georgia, the AP’s No. 1 seed and the team that clinched back-to-back national titles, was edged out by Ohio State. It’s not something you see every day, and it got a lot of fans, including Ward, scratching their heads.
Now, let’s dive into why Georgia being ranked No. 2 in the College Football Playoff rankings left Hines Ward feeling some type of way.
Georgia’s Dominance
First things first, you can’t deny Georgia’s dominance in recent years. The Bulldogs have been a force to be reckoned with on the football field. They’ve consistently been one of the top teams in the nation, boasting a powerful running game and a rock-solid defense led by head coach Kirby Smart.
It’s not about being flashy; it’s about getting the job done week in and week out. And that’s exactly what Georgia has been doing. Hines Ward knows it, and he’s proud of his alma mater’s hard-nosed, no-excuses attitude. But it’s not just about how you start; it’s about how you finish. The Bulldogs have their sights set on the championship game, and that’s all that truly matters to them.
The Shocking Rankings
So, why did the College Football Playoff committee decide to put Ohio State at No. 1 instead of Georgia? Well, that’s the million-dollar question. It took many by surprise, including Hines Ward. After all, Georgia had been the top dog in the AP rankings, and they were the defending national champions.
Ward couldn’t help but feel a bit puzzled by the decision. It’s not every day that you see the reigning champions bumped down to the No. 2 spot in the first playoff rankings. But as he said, “it is what it is.” Georgia has been through its fair share of challenges, and they’re not about to let a ranking get in the way of their quest for another championship.
Hines Ward’s Bulldog Pride
Hines Ward’s pride for the University of Georgia runs deep. He’s not just a legendary NFL wide receiver; he’s also a former Bulldog who’s been through the ups and downs of college football. He knows what it’s like to represent Georgia on the field, and he knows what it takes to win.
For him, it’s not about the rankings or the flashy plays. It’s about the heart and determination that his alma mater brings to every game. Georgia’s tradition of hard work and excellence is something that Hines Ward will always hold close to his heart.
In conclusion, Hines Ward’s reaction to Georgia’s No. 2 ranking in the College Football Playoff is a testament to his unwavering love and pride for his alma mater. While the rankings may have left him feeling some type of way, he knows that it’s not where you start but where you finish that truly matters. The Bulldogs are on a quest for another championship, and nothing will stand in their way. Hines Ward’s faith in Georgia’s football program is unshakable, and as fans, we can all share in his optimism and enthusiasm for the journey ahead.
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