Paul Finebaum: Alabama must win vs. Georgia to keep College Football Playoff hopes alive

Alabama opened the second year of the Kalen DeBoer era with a shocking 31-17 loss to Florida State, but has bounced back nicely with blowout victories over Louisiana-Monroe and Wisconsin. Ahead of this weekend’s clash with No. 5 Georgia, ESPN’s Paul Finebaum has tabbed the game as a ‘must-win’ for the Crimson Tide.

“Alabama really has to win this game,” Finebaum said. “Remember, they did lose to Florida State. Alabama fans are reveling in the Wisconsin and ULM wins, but those don’t really count if you let this game get away. That would give them two losses with so many big games remaining against LSU, Tennessee, Oklahoma and at Auburn. A loss here would make their path to the Playoff very narrow.”

The Crimson Tide have won nine consecutive regular season meetings against Georgia and look to keep that streak going this weekend in Athens. While Bama is 2-1 heading into SEC play, the Bulldogs opened conference play on Sept. 13 with an exciting 44-41 win over No. 15 Tennessee. After falling behind 38-30 with 6:40 remaining in the fourth quarter, Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton led the ‘Dawgs on a nine-play, 75-yard drive to tie the game with 2:32 remaining.

Tennessee kicker Max Gilbert missed a 43-yard field goal for the win, sending the game to overtime. In overtime, a Josh McCray one-yard rushing touchdown sealed the win for Georgia. The Bulldogs have their early season highlight victory, while Alabama is still seeking its first this season. To say this game has MASSIVE implications for the SEC Championship Game and the College Football Playoff would be an understatement.

Finebaum says Alabama needs to win keep Playoff hopes alive

“I’m in on that because they’ve already lost to Florida State,” Finebaum said on Monday when asked if this was a Playoff elimination game for Alabama. “That may look like a really good loss, but the problem is the calculus. It would be their second loss of the season and Alabama still has Vanderbilt, yes you heard me, VANDERBILT in a week or two! They have Tennessee, LSU, Oklahoma, Auburn. It’s just an endless stream of tough games. Alabama needs to win this game to stay alive.”

The Tide will need a big-time performance from quarterback Ty Simpson to pull off the upset. Simpson has looked like a completely different quarterback over the past two games, as he’s completed 41/46 passes for 608 yards, seven touchdowns and no interceptions. His No. 1 receiver, Ryan Williams, will also be looking to achieve the success he enjoyed in last season’s game against Georgia.

Williams poured in his best performance of the season, hauling in six receptions for 177 yards and one touchdown. His 75-yard score with 2:18 remaining helped propel Alabama to the win over the Dawgs in Tuscaloosa.

Kick-off this weekend is scheduled for 7:30 PM. The game can be seen on ABC.