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Paul Finebaum says Georgia is in ‘Playoff eliminator’ game against Tennessee in Week 12
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Paul Finebaum is never one to mince words. The legendary college football analyst always joins Matt Barrie on Sunday mornings to discuss the weekend’s college football results.
Finebaum roasted Georgia’s performance in Week 11 after the Bulldogs lost in blowout fashion to Ole Miss. Now, with Tennessee coming to town in Week 12, Finebaum says the Bulldogs are in a “Playoff eliminator” game.
“They’re a program that has been up and down this year,” explained Finebaum. “For the first time, they are now in a Playoff eliminator at home against Tennessee. It’s a monster game.”
The Bulldogs’ Week 11 loss was their 2nd of the season, and even with an expanded Playoff, it seems unlikely that a 3-loss team would make the cut. The Vols, meanwhile, have just 1 loss but don’t have as impressive a resume as some other teams in contention.
Carson Beck has underperformed of late which is a big reason why the Bulldogs have struggled. The QB has thrown just 5 TDs compared to 9 INTs over the last 4 games. Finebaum thinks having an elite coach like Kirby Smart could end up being all the difference.
“They have what still may be the very best coach in the country,” said Finebaum of Smart. “How he can patch that offensive line back together and how he can give Carson Beck an emergency infusion of confidence, I don’t know, but playing at home will help.”
If the Bulldogs fail to reach the Playoff, it will be the 2nd year in a row the team is left out. However, the Bulldogs have won 7 games in a row against the Vols and have not lost to the team in Athens since 2016.
These SEC rivals will kick off from Sanford Stadium on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Bryce Lazenby covers college football for Saturday Down South. A Nashville native, his previous stops include FanSided, Dimers, and The Leaf-Chronicle.
