Paul Finebaum: Georgia Became the New Alabama with Loss to Notre Dame in College Football Playoff

Paul Finebaum: Georgia Became the New Alabama with Loss to Notre Dame in College Football Playoff

Paul Finebaum, the prominent ESPN college football analyst, has long been known for his sharp commentary and unapologetic takes on the state of college football. His unique perspective and vast experience in the world of SEC football often lead to headlines and debates. One of his more controversial statements came after the University of Georgia’s loss to Notre Dame in the 2025 College Football Playoff (CFP), where Finebaum declared that Georgia had “become the new Alabama” with that defeat. This bold assertion touches on several layers of college football’s elite programs, particularly the evolution of Georgia’s program under head coach Kirby Smart, and the shifting dynamics of SEC dominance.

The Context: A Stumbling Giant

The 2025 College Football Playoff was set to be another milestone for college football, with the top teams in the nation vying for the championship. Georgia, having been a perennial powerhouse under Smart’s leadership, was considered one of the most formidable teams heading into the Playoff. After an impressive regular season and securing a spot in the CFP, many expected Georgia to make a strong run at winning their second consecutive national title, having dominated the 2024 season.

However, the matchup against Notre Dame in the semifinals proved to be a painful setback for Georgia. Notre Dame, led by a retooled and disciplined squad, executed a game plan that was methodical, tactical, and, at times, surprising. The Fighting Irish’s defense stifled Georgia’s high-powered offense, while their offense capitalized on key moments, ultimately securing a decisive victory.

For Georgia, the loss was not just about the defeat itself but the nature of the defeat. Georgia’s downfall was not the result of a single, fluke play or an out-of-the-blue upset. Rather, it was a failure of execution, a realization that their dominant position in college football could not guarantee victory. This loss revealed cracks in Georgia’s armor and raised questions about their continued dominance.

The Rise of Georgia Under Kirby Smart

To understand Finebaum’s statement that Georgia had “become the new Alabama,” it’s essential to first look at the evolution of Georgia’s football program. Under Kirby Smart, who took over as head coach in 2016, Georgia transitioned from a well-respected but often inconsistent powerhouse into one of the most dominant teams in college football. Smart’s rise to prominence came on the back of elite recruiting, a powerful defense, and a disciplined offense. The Bulldogs appeared to be a program on the rise, and for many, they were poised to take over the SEC as the premier program.

Smart’s success at Georgia mirrored that of his former mentor, Nick Saban, at Alabama. Saban had built Alabama into a juggernaut, winning multiple national championships and solidifying the Crimson Tide as the model of excellence in college football. Under Saban, Alabama became the standard by which all other teams were judged. His reputation for developing NFL-caliber talent, executing methodical offensive and defensive strategies, and cultivating a culture of excellence made Alabama nearly unbeatable during their peak years.

Kirby Smart, who was Saban’s defensive coordinator at Alabama, seemed to replicate much of the same formula at Georgia. The Bulldogs became known for their tough, physical style of play, particularly on defense, while simultaneously recruiting the best high school players in the country to build a stacked roster. Smart’s development of quarterbacks and the ability to make his team greater than the sum of its parts established Georgia as the latest SEC powerhouse, making them a true rival to Alabama’s legacy.

The Alabama-Gauntlet of Success

Georgia’s rise under Smart eventually led to a confrontation with Alabama’s long-standing supremacy. By 2024, Georgia had secured its first national title under Smart, defeating Alabama in the process, marking a critical turning point in the rivalry between the two schools. Georgia’s victory in the national championship game elevated their status as not just an SEC contender, but a national contender capable of winning it all. But despite that accomplishment, Finebaum’s assertion that Georgia had “become the new Alabama” following their loss to Notre Dame sheds light on a subtle shift in college football.

Finebaum’s statement was based on the idea that Georgia, much like Alabama in the years before their first true fall from grace, had reached a point of consistent dominance that made them an object of envy and, eventually, expectation. Alabama’s legacy under Saban was built upon sustained success, but it was also marked by a series of narrow losses and frustrating upsets that occasionally punctuated their otherwise near-perfect seasons. For Alabama, it often felt as if their national championship aspirations were a foregone conclusion, only to be upended by an unexpected defeat.

For Georgia, the 2025 College Football Playoff loss to Notre Dame seemed to embody that same fate. Just as Alabama had been derailed by surprising losses throughout Saban’s reign, Georgia’s loss to Notre Dame suggested a similar pattern—where the Bulldogs had become so successful that any stumble became an existential crisis. The expectations surrounding Georgia had shifted from “we hope to win a title” to “this is our time” in much the same way they had for Alabama during their championship run.

Finebaum’s Analysis and Georgia’s Expectations

Paul Finebaum’s comparison of Georgia to Alabama after their loss to Notre Dame speaks volumes about the pressure that comes with being a powerhouse in college football. Georgia, much like Alabama before them, has built a program where anything less than a national title is seen as a failure. It is the burden of dominance, and it’s one that can lead to a psychological shift in both the players and the fanbase. Much like Alabama, where an upset loss would throw the program into a tailspin of questions and doubts, Georgia’s loss to Notre Dame led to a similar wave of reflection.

Finebaum’s point was that the nature of Georgia’s program has shifted to a place where the weight of expectations has increased exponentially. Alabama, for years, set the bar in terms of what it meant to be a powerhouse, and now Georgia has joined that club. Finebaum’s suggestion that Georgia has “become the new Alabama” implies that the Bulldogs have reached such heights that they now face the same pressures and frustrations that once accompanied the Alabama dynasty.

Conclusion: The Weight of High Expectations

Paul Finebaum’s statement that Georgia “became the new Alabama” after their loss to Notre Dame in the 2025 College Football Playoff is a fascinating commentary on the evolution of college football. It underscores how the shifting dynamics of power in the SEC have impacted the expectations placed on elite programs. The loss to Notre Dame was not simply a stumble for Georgia; it was a symbol of the precariousness that comes with dominance. For Georgia, their journey to the top has mirrored that of Alabama, but with it comes the same challenge—sustaining greatness amid rising expectations and the inevitable upsets that accompany them.

Finebaum’s words remind us that the cycle of dominance in college football is cyclical, and Georgia, for all their accomplishments, has now entered that high-pressure phase where every loss feels like a crisis. In many ways, it marks the beginning of Georgia’s own journey toward maintaining a dynasty of their own. In the end, it’s not just about being on top—it’s about staying there. And for Georgia, this loss may be the first sign of the immense challenge ahead.