Paul Finebaum focused on Georgia’s challengers in the SEC for the 2023 season.

Georgia captured its 2nd consecutive national championship with a 65-7 win over TCU on Monday. In the College Football Playoff, Georgia did not face another SEC team after playing Ohio State and TCU. With Georgia’s dominance over the last 2 seasons, the rest of the SEC will need to work to catch up to Georgia in 2023.

While appearing on ESPN Radio’s Keyshawn, JWill and Max, Finebaum was asked about the teams in the SEC and around the countries that can challenge Georgia next season (Via ESPN College Football):

“I think LSU is the ascending program under Brian Kelly. Nationally, I’ll throw one more thing in there… I think Southern Cal is going to start crashing the party on a regular basis after Lincoln Riley’s first year.”

LSU faced Georgia in the SEC Championship Game and Southern California was 1 win away from reaching the Playoff in December. Finebaum also reminded the audience about 1 program that can return to the championship picture:

“I’m not ruling Alabama out… I think the window for Saban is so narrow now, and there is a difference between what Georgia is doing and Alabama’s doing — it’s not much by the way. Replacing Bryce Young is going to be a mystery to me, and I think that’s the biggest thing Nick Saban has to deal with.”

Alabama, LSU, and Southern California could rival Georgia in the 2023 Playoff race.