Most fans recognize the 1980 Georgia Bulldogs — led by freshman running back Herschel Walker — as national champions.

But the Bulldogs are regarded as national champions in four other seasons in at least one national poll recognized by the NCAA record book. Two of those seasons (1942 and 1980) are considered consensus selections - but even in those years other schools are regarded as champions (See video, above).

Georgia last played for a national title in 2018, losing to Alabama in overtime in Atlanta.

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Kirby Smart (left) and Georgia beat Brent Key and Georgia Tech 44-42 in eight overtimes last November in Athens. The Bulldogs and Yellow Jackets bring Clean Old-Fashioned Hate off campus for 2025, playing at 3:30 p.m. Friday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC 2024)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

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Carleigh Knight (left) and her sister, Natalie Rogovin, look at Christmas ornaments while shopping at Kudzu Antiques + Modern in Decatur on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025. (Natrice Miller/AJC)

Credit: Natrice Miller