Paul Finebaum declares Georgia the 'biggest mystery' in the SEC

Since head coach Kirby Smart took over at Georgia, the Bulldogs have been an example of excellence on the field. Coming off an SEC Championship season, it’s safe to say that there are high expectations in Athens going into 2025.

Despite that, ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum does have some questions that need to be answered ahead of next season. That, as he declared on McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning, has made the Bulldogs the biggest mystery in the entire SEC.

“I think they’re on that outside lane or maybe the inside lane over here,” Paul Finebaum said. “Maybe you can move quickly or get slowed down. I don’t know. They are the biggest mystery.”

Since Smart got to Georgia, the Bulldogs are 105-19, have won two national championships, have won three conference titles, and have been to the College Football Playoff four times. That includes winning the SEC and going to the CFP last season, before ultimately losing in the Sugar Bowl to Notre Dame. That loss meant that after winning the national championship twice in a row, the Bulldogs missed out on even playing for it two seasons in a row.

“I know people that firmly believe they’re capable of winning the national championship. I’m not one. You have to be careful, and they’re in that spot that Alabama has been in over the years. ‘Well, they’re Alabama.’ Well, okay. They can still miss the Playoff and lose four or five games. I think Georgia right now, because the quarterback situation is a little bit uncertain and there’s some other pieces that are unknown, could end up being a two or three seed like last year, or maybe missing it altogether,” Finebaum said.

“I’m not trying to create a headline there. I think they’ll be in the Playoff, but I don’t think they’ll be in by very much.”

The Georgia Bulldogs lost starting quarterback Carson Beck to an arm injury halfway through the SEC Championship Game. He’d be replaced by Gunner Stockton, who flashed talent, particularly against Texas. Then, Beck chose to transfer, leaving Stockton to battle for the starting job in 2025. However, quarterback isn’t the only position of turnover, and the Bulldogs are likely to be a young and relatively unproven team next season.

Georgia opens the 2025 season at home against Marshall. There, Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs will look to begin answering some of those questions. On September 13th, with a road test against Tennessee, Georgia will then have the chance to make a statement.