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Paul Finebaum explains why Georgia is safely in College Football Playoff with three losses

Stephen Samraby: Steve Samra12/06/24SamraSource
Kirby Smart, Georgia
Kirby Smart, Georgia - © Joshua L. Jones / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

As conference championship showdowns take center stage this weekend, Paul Finebaum touched on whether the Georgia Bulldogs are locked into the College Football Playoff, even if they fall to the Texas Longhorns in the SEC title game.

A loss would be the third on the season for Kirby Smart’s team, but Finebaum doesn’t believe it would knock Georgia out of the 12-team dance. While that may be controversial — as many have theorized SMU might be out with a potential second loss on the season in the ACC Championship Game — Finebaum is sticking by his prediction.

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“It’s a fair question, but overall, Georgia has good wins,” Finebaum stated, regarding whether the Bulldogs are safely in the College Football Playoff, via Get Up. “Obviously, Texas. They have other wins that matter. It’s — they’re very narrow. But I think this is where this thing becomes a complete — a very difficult thing to understand, because of what I just said a minute ago, I think this committee is walking on a slippery slope if they decide SMU can’t go by losing in a conference (championship) game, even though they don’t have a very good schedule, while Georgia can go. But ultimately, I think Georgia prevails there.

“I know people around the world think everything is steered and directed toward the SEC. It may seem like that Sunday. I think that’s how it’s going to end up.”

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Perhaps a potential loss to Texas wouldn’t be as damaging to Georgia due to their earlier win against the Longhorns on the road. That was one of the more impressive victories of the season in the eyes of the Selection Committee, and a major boost to the Bulldogs’ resume throughout the year.

Still, if Georgia can get in with a third loss, claims of SEC bias will come to light, whether they’re founded or not. That’s just the name of the game when it comes to the College Football Playoff.

If Kirby Smart’s team plays lights out against Texas, there won’t be any questions regarding their resume moving forward. However, if Saturday evening doesn’t go well for the Bulldogs, the College Football Playoff Selection Committee might face major backlash, even if Paul Finebaum doesn’t find it warranted.