Ad Disclosure
Paul Finebaum defends Georgia over backbreaking schedule: ‘They’re still a better team than Penn State’
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Paul Finebaum understands Georgia has a couple of losses with 3 games still left to play, but he sees one simple reason for that. He also doesn’t agree with where the Bulldogs landed in the latest College Football Playoff rankings.
When the rankings dropped, a 2-loss Georgia team checked in at No. 12 overall but on the wrong side of the bracket for the Playoff. That’s because Boise State, a team that would be the 5th highest-ranked conference champion, was ranked 13th but would require inclusion.
Meanwhile, one-loss Penn State from the Big Ten and undefeated Indiana checked in at No. 4 and No. 5, respectively. Finebaum was specifically asked about a hypothetical matchup with those Nittany Lions during ESPN’s Wednesday broadcast of “Get Up,” and he did not hold back.
“The number would be 5-7 (point favorite for Georgia), somewhere in there,” said Finebaum about the prospects of Penn State and Georgia facing off on a neutral field. “Think about this: Georgia is a 10-point favorite at home over Tennessee which is ranked ahead of them. That doesn’t always equate, but you give Penn State Georgia’s school, they probably have 4-5 losses.”
Finebaum went on to dissect the schedule of the Bulldogs while describing it as a “backbreaker” while claiming Kirby Smart’s squad is still better than a trio of teams ranked ahead of them:
“Georgia started the season with Clemson which was ranked in the top 10 in the country at the beginning of the year. They’ve gone to Texas, they have been to Ole Miss which is ranked ahead of them, they’ve been to Alabama,” Finebaum said. “Their schedule is a backbreaker, and that’s one reason why they have a couple of losses. But they’re still a better team than Penn State or Indiana, or Miami by the way.”
While the two losses are undoubtedly why Georgia has slid out of the bracket at this point in the season, Warde Manuel — chair of the CFP committee — illustrated that it is Georgia’s inconsistent offense that has resulted in their big slide. The offense has lagged behind in Georgia’s losses and even in some of their wins so far this season, and it’s clear the committee wants to see more from the Bulldogs down the stretch.
A win against Tennessee would likely boost Georgia back into the bracket while a 3rd loss would leave the Bulldogs hanging in the balance. Saturday’s game in Athens has massive implications for the postseason and should be a must-see rivalry matchup for fans everywhere.
Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.
