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The back-to-back National Champion Georgia Bulldogs hopes for a third-straight ring are in jeopardy due to an injury sustained by Brock Bowers that will force Georgia’s best playmaker to sit out for a few weeks.

The Dawgs rolled past Vanderbilt 37-20 in Week 7, but Bowers exited midway through the game with an ankle injury. On Monday, Georgia announced the future first-round NFL Draft pick underwent surgery, and a full recovery is expected.

The timeframe for Bowers’ return is unclear, and his absence puts the Bulldogs SEC and National Championship odds in question.

Updated SEC and National Championship odds following Brock Bowers’ injury

Bowers’ value to the Bulldogs can’t be understated. Brock led the team in receiving yards and touchdowns last season, adding 109 rushing yards and three scores on the ground.

Bowers’ 567 receiving yards are the highest among FBS tight ends, and Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint has the second-most yards for Georgia but trails Bowers by 234 yards. Outside of Bowers, the Bulldogs’ pass catchers have been underwhelming this season but will need to step up while he’s sidelined.

Bowers’ tightrope surgery typically requires a four-to-six-week recovery. Fortunately for Georgia, the team is off this Saturday with a bye and has these opponents scheduled in the next five games:

• Vs. Florida
• Vs. No. 20 Missouri
• Vs. No. 13 Ole Miss
• At No. 17 Tennessee
• At Georgia Tech

The Bulldogs will be without Bowers for the remainder of the regular season if he misses six games, with a return lined up for the SEC Championship, should Georgia qualify. Georgia closes out the year facing teams with a combined record of 24-8.

How Bowers’ injury impacts Alabama’s SEC Championship and College Football Playoff odds

Georgia is still favored to win the SEC at -140, and Alabama’s +210 odds ranking as the second shortest. The Bulldogs +280 National Championship odds are the best in college football, while the Crimson Tide are +2000.

Brock’s injury opens the door for Florida, Missouri, and Tennessee to represent the SEC East in the conference title game. Each team has one SEC loss this season and would be favorable opponents for Alabama in the SEC Championship game.

The Crimson Tide leads the SEC West with a 4-0 conference record, with LSU (4-1) and Ole Miss (2-1) trailing in second and third place, respectively.

Alabama’s toughest tests come in the next two games vs. No. 17 Tennessee and No. 19 LSU. The Tide hold home-field advantage in both matchups and have a bye after facing the Volunteers, providing ample time to prepare for the Tigers.

Winning the SEC Championship with just one regular-season loss would undoubtedly clinch a College Football Playoff berth for Alabama.

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