Paul Finebaum continues to give Georgia Bulldogs and Kirby Smart more ammo ahead of 2025 college football season

ESPN and SEC Network's Paul Finebaum can't seem to help himself from doubting Kirby Smart's Georgia Bulldogs ahead of this upcoming season. 

During an appearance on ESPN’s First Take, Finebaum was asked about Georgia‘s chances to make the 2025 College Football Playoffs and gave his brutally honest opinion.

Finebaum cited Georgia losing several key players to the NFL and their tough schedule.

“I believe they’ll be fighting to be in the Playoffs. And 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 like they have lost over the last couple of years,” Finebaum said. “Three years ago, that draft in Vegas everyone remembers, it was one Georgia player after another. I’ve never seen anything quite like that. But they haven’t been quite able to fill those needs.

“And I know the point was made earlier about Stetson Bennett winning two national championships. But he had one of the all-time defenses, and I don’t think Georgia has that (this season). That Alabama game is problematic in September, and so are a number of other games that Georgia is going to have to deal with, including a visit from Arch Manning late in the season.”

Maybe Finebaum overlooked the fact that Georgia has made the College Football Playoff three times in the last four years, no matter how tough their schedule has been. 

As for losing players to the NFL, Coach Smart quickly filled those gaps through the NCAA transfer portal, bringing in Illinois running back Josh McCray and USC wide receiver Zachariah Branch. On top of that, he boosted the defense with top-tier talent during the 2025 recruiting class by landing five-star prospects Isaiah Gibson and Elijah Griffin. And of offense, the Dawgs were able to snag a handful of four-star pass catchers, Talyn Taylor, CJ Wiley, Elyiss Williams, and more.  

Sure, quarterback Gunner Stockon might be inexperienced, but if anyone can develop a young QB into a winner, it’s Smart and his coaching staff.

So go ahead, Finebaum, keep those doubts coming.