NEW ORLEANS — Georgia football’s Sugar Bowl trip has been filled with plenty of sidebars, from the potential distraction of pending transfers to juniors possibly playing in their last game.

Things took another turn on Saturday night when the Bulldogs’ frustration of not being selected for the College Football Playoffs spilled over on Twitter as Clemson was routing Notre Dame, and Alabama was dominating Oklahoma.

The Georgia players made it clear they were in agreement with their head coach, Kirby Smart, who some four weeks earlier had strongly stated the case that his Bulldogs were one of the nation’s four best teams.

Now, it will be up to No. 5 Georgia to back it up against No. 15-ranked Texas at 8:45 p.m. on Tuesday in the Sugar Bowl.

DawgNation reporters Mike Griffith and Chip Towers break down all the storylines in this video from the banks of the Mississippi River on Sunday night, just hours after Mark Richt announced his retirement:

Georgia football breakdown

 

DawgNation coverage from New Orleans

Jim Chaney says Georgia ‘did right’ with QB situation

UGA front seven beefed up for Saturday Sugar Bowl practice

Georgia assistant Dan Lanning sheds insight in DC opening

6 questions and answers with Texas football beat writer

Jake Fromm focused, not distracted by Justin Fields transfer talk

Georgia football TE Isaac Nauta plans to ‘go out strong’ at Sugar Bowl

Bulldogs juniors Mecole Hardman and Isaac Nauta discuss futures

Georgia players still fired up over CBF Playoff snub

UGA now in New Orleans, ready to leave drama behind 

Kirby Smart explains why he supports Deandre Baker not playing

Deandre Baker shocks Georgia fans, decides not to play in Sugar Bowl

Jonathan Ledbetter may try to change Deandre Baker’s mind about playing

UGA 5 pressing questions for Bulldogs at Sugar Bowl