The last time Georgia football's biggest rivals won a national title

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The last time Georgia football's biggest rivals won a national title

Georgia Bulldogs football fans are in a golden age. The Bulldogs won back-to-back national championships in 2021 and 2022 to silence rival fan bases. Dawg fans suffered for a long time before coach Kirby Smart and Georgia won a championship in 2021. Now, opposing fan bases can no longer flaunt that Georgia has not won a title since 1980.

To make things even better for Bulldog fans, several of Georgia’s rivals are struggling to win. Florida, Auburn, and Georgia Tech (who has improved recently) are all struggling to win in recent seasons. This trio of Georgia rivals has each experienced turmoil, while Georgia has been in a state stability under Kirby Smart.

Georgia is far ahead of many of its rivals. Georgia’s second-straight SEC-championship winning season in 2025 was viewed as a disappointing by some fans. However, none of Georgia’s top rivals (outside of Alabama) have won an SEC title since Auburn won the SEC in 2013.

When was the last time Georgia’s biggest rivals won a national championship in football?

Clemson Tigers

AUSTIN, TEXAS - DECEMBER 21: Head coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers reacts during the fourth quarter against the Texas Longhorns in the Playoff First Round Game at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on December 21, 2024 in Austin, Texas. Texas defeated Clemson 38-24. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)

Last national championship: 2018

The Dawgs and Tigers often battle on the recruiting trail and renewed their rivalry in 2024 with Georgia taking home a dominant win. Georgia has gotten the better of Clemson in the Kirby Smart era. Clemson’s national championship years seem further and further away in the name, image and likeness era.

Auburn Tigers

Auburn Tigers head coach Hugh Freeze walks off the field after the Georgia Bulldogs game

Last national championship: 2010

College football has changed a lot since Cam Newton and Auburn won the 2010 national championship. One thing has stayed the same: Auburn’s program has been in almost continuous turmoil.

Georgia has won 14 of its last 16 games against Auburn since the Tigers won a national championship.

South Carolina Gamecocks

Nov 30, 2024; Clemson, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Head Coach Shane Beamer smiles after the game against Clemson at Memorial Stadium.

Last national championship: never

The Georgia-South Carolina rivalry is no longer being played annually in the expanded SEC. The teams will renew the series in 2026. The Gamecocks and Dawgs had faced off every season from 1992-2023. A pandemic couldn’t stop the rivalry, but a conference expansion is making it be played less frequently.

Is South Carolina a future national title contender? The Gamecocks would settle for a second SEC championship appearance at this point. Coach Shane Beamer is fighting to keep his job.

Florida Gators

Head coach Urban Meyer and Tim Tebow #15 of the Florida Gators celebrate after their 24-14 win against the Oklahoma Sooners during the FedEx BCS National Championship game at Dolphin Stadium on January 8, 2009 in Miami, Florida.

Last national championship: 2008

Alabama has won six national championships since Florida last won a title. Georgia has won back-to-back national titles and even Florida State has won a championship since 2008.

The Gators and Bulldogs will keep playing each other every year in the 16-team SEC. Florida is Georgia’s top rival and will try to regain momentum in the series under first-year head coach Jon Sumrall.

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Head coach Kirby Smart of the Georgia Bulldogs hugs head coach Brent Key of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets after the Bulldogs 44-42 victory in eighth overtime at Sanford Stadium on November 29, 2024 in Athens, Georgia.

Last national championship: 1990

Georgia Tech fans will say we are their biggest rival, but Georgia fans don’t feel the same about the Yellow Jackets. Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate games become competitive recently in the Brent Key era, but Georgia still holds a significant winning streak in the series.

Georgia Tech isn’t winning a national title any time soon. The Tech rivalry certainly intensified thanks to Georgia’s eight overtime win in 2024 and a competitive game again in 2025.

Alabama Crimson Tide

Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide holds the trophy while celebrating with his team after defeating the Georgia Bulldogs in overtime to win the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Last national championship: 2020

Georgia and Alabama are not traditional rivals. However, they are two of the top programs in college football. Alabama derailed Georgia’s national championship hopes in the 2012, 2018, and 2023 SEC championship games.

The Crimson Tide and Dawgs have met twice in national championships in the College Football Playoff era. Georgia defeated Alabama in the 2021 national title and looks like the top program in college football under Kirby Smart. Alabama is in a new era under Kalen DeBoer, who has the tough job of replacing Nick Saban.

Tennessee Volunteers

Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel walks off the field after the loss to Georgia in an NCAA college football game on September 13, 2025, Knoxville, Tennessee.

Last national championship: 1998

Tennessee Volunteers fans thought that 2021 was going to be their year (like they do every year when they are decent) until they faced the Georgia Bulldogs in Athens. The Volunteers missed a golden chance to beat Georgia in 2025. Tennessee and Georgia won’t play in 2026, so Georgia’s nine-game win streak in the series will continue.

The Volunteers seem to be back on track under head coach Josh Heupel. However, it has been over 25 years since 1998.

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This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: The last time Georgia’s top rivals won a national championship

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