ESPN college football analyst Paul Finebaum predicts that the Alabama Crimson Tide will defeat the Georgia Bulldogs. Finebaum is rolling with the Crimson Tide despite previously picking Georgia to win the expanded College Football Playoff in the preseason.
No. 1 Georgia hits the road to play No. 4 Alabama. Georgia is the first team to be favored in Tuscaloosa since 2007.
“I am not feeling the love right now for the Dawgs,” said Paul Finebaum on ESPN’s SportsCenter. “And two weeks ago, Matt (Barrie), we talked on your podcast, they were ruling the nation. But that game against Kentucky has a lot of people very nervous.”
Finebaum is referring to Georgia’s narrow 13-12 win over Kentucky. The Bulldogs and Crimson Tide both had a bye week in Week 4 ahead of their Week 5 game, but Alabama looked much more impressive entering their bye week. The Crimson Tide dismantled Wisconsin on 42-10 on the road in one of the top performances of Week 4.
USA TODAY 10Best: Is Georgia the best college for sports fans? Vote now!
Head coach Kirby Smart and Georgia are looking for revenge after losing to Alabama in the 2023 SEC championship game. The Bulldogs narrowly missed the playoff last season and have been thinking about that loss for a long time.
“Nope. I don’t think we chase the past at all,” said Smart on using the 2023 SEC championship loss as motivation. “I think that you watch the tape, the two different teams, we’re focused on what we can do to be our best this week.”
Georgia’s game at Alabama is the first in a trio of challenging road games that Georgia has to face over the next few months. The Bulldogs also have to play at Ole Miss and Texas.
Georgia enters the Alabama game with quite a few challenges.
“Carson Beck wasn’t good. They lost one of their best offensive players (offensive guard Tate Ratledge). Their defensive line is banged up,” continued Finebaum. “And they’re heading to Tuscaloosa, which is never good for the Dawgs.”
Georgia will have to be at its best to leave Alabama with a win. The Bulldogs have not won at Alabama since 2007.