Finebaum’s Headline: They’ll Be “Fighting” for a Playoff Spot
At SEC Media Days in Atlanta, Paul Finebaum didn’t mince words on ESPN’s First Take: “I believe they’ll be fighting to be in the Playoffs… we all respect Kirby Smart, I think he’s the best coach in college football. But that doesn’t mean anything if you lose players… I’ve never seen anything quite like that” turnover in the NFL draft following Georgia’s back-to-back CFP titles .
He’s direct: Georgia’s tradition and coaching matter—but they do not guarantee success. And that massive exodus of talent? It leaves significant holes to fill.
Finebaum highlights brutal statistics: only 45% of last season’s production returns—41% offense, 48% defense—ranking near rock-bottom nationally .
- Offense lost QB Carson Beck (transferred to Miami after elbow surgery) and stars like Brock Bowers, Ladd McConkey .
- Defense lost high-impact players: Mykel Williams, Jalon Walker, Malaki Starks—all in the 2025 NFL Draft .
Losing so much talent in one offseason? That’s disruptive—even for Georgia.
Stockton, a redshirt sophomore, took over late last season and threw for 234 yards and one TD against Notre Dame, with mixed reviews .
Finebaum is blunt: “I don’t think Georgia has a quarterback, which is what is going to be their undoing.” Stockton’s lack of proven leadership and poise in big games concerns him .
Smart counters, “Gunner’s a tremendous leader… he’s done everything right since he’s been here… he earns people’s respect…” . The QB battle is far from settled.
Georgia’s offense stumbled in 2024: 51st in total offense, 102nd in rushing, and 38th in scoring, though passing ranked 12th . Finebaum repeatedly flags the offensive inefficiencies
Finebaum publicly laments Mike Bobo’s scheme: “They have so many disappointing moments… talking to fans every day… they do not like Mike Bobo” . Criticism centers on play-calling that fails to adapt to evolving roster strengths and road-tested challenges.
Finebaum continues to regard Smart as “the best coach in college football” . His leadership remains Georgia’s core strength.
Despite the exodus, Georgia secured the No. 2 recruiting class in 2025, led by five-star defensive linemen Elijah Griffin and Isaiah Gibson . The portal haul, though modest (30th nationally), includes impactful additions like RB Josh McCray and WR Zachariah Branch .
Even after key departures, Georgia’s defense remains stout on paper. Finebaum points to the lack of that “all‑time defense” of prior years—but they still field a unit capable of keeping games close .
Georgia faces serious tests in 2025: Alabama in September, followed by Texas (possibly led by Arch Manning), Tennessee, and Ole Miss—all in the SEC . Finebaum cautions early slip-ups could derail CFP hopes before November.
Last season’s misfortunes included tough road losses. This year, with home matchups at Sanford, Finebaum notes Georgia “has a chance” because of improved venue advantages .
Finebaum has consistently slammed the CFP selection committee for undervaluing Georgia:
- He called the latest ranking a “complete travesty” and urged Georgia to feel “outraged” .
- When Georgia dropped to No. 12 after losing twice, he criticized the committee: “This committee is not serious…” .
- In earlier seasons, he also attacked the committee bias favoring Big Ten teams over Georgia’s tougher SEC schedule .
His point: national perception is influenced not just by record, but by committee narratives. Georgia’s strength of schedule deserves more credit—in his view.
Georgia’s 23–10 loss to Notre Dame and the subsequent “narrative” shift likened them to “the new Alabama” in Finebaum’s commentary . He tracked a dip in consistency that, while subtle at times, reflected troubling “moments” where the team underperformed—despite moments of glory like the Texas win .
- QB Stockton thrives.
- Offensive play-caller adapts.
- Elite recruits contribute early.
- Georgia wins early signature games and secures 10–11 wins.
- Playoff berth is nearly earned.
- 2 losses (e.g., Alabama, Texas) but solid offense and supplemental wins.
- SEC title game opportunity, but margin for error smaller if committee weighs losses heavily.
- 3+ losses from early failures.
- Offensive inconsistency persists.
- Committee minimizes SEC strength.
- Playoff hopes fade—Finebaum warns a 3‑loss team is “dead in the water” .
A passionate Georgia fan thread captures the mood after Finebaum’s critiques:
Another fan nails the recurring theme:
The consensus? Fans acknowledge talent—yet echo the need for smarter offensive leadership.
Paul Finebaum’s 2025 outlook on Georgia can be summed up like this:
- Yes, they remain elite: coaching, culture, and brainpower are still elite.
- No, they are far from invulnerable: roster gaps, QB uncertainty, and offensive doubts could expose them.
- It’s a fight: the path to CFP—and possibly a national title—is real, but it comes with asterisks. Each early challenge is a potential make-or-break moment.
He states clearly:
- QB performance: Does Gunner Stockton justify the confidence, or will inexperience show?
- Offensive leadership: Will schemes adapt under Bobo—or will Georgia consider a shakeup?
- Start to the season: Winning in September sets narrative.
- Road vs home: Can they defend Sanford and avoid the trap games?
- Transfer impact: Will fresh faces like Branch & McCray fill the vacuum effectively?
- Committee treatment: Strong SOS won’t guarantee CFP entry if offensive struggles linger.
Finebaum’s stance is cautious optimism anchored in realism. He respects Georgia’s infrastructure yet warns that margin for error is gone. With the talent pipeline still flowing, they’re positioned to compete—but only if they:
- Address offensive issues proactively.
- Create continuity at quarterback.
- Win signature home games.
- And stay consistent in narrative-altering moments.
In his words: “They’ll be fighting to be in the Playoffs” . That’s not a knockout punch—it’s a battle cry. For Georgia, the fight begins every day from August onward.
