Paul Finebaum exposes Kirby Smart’s $130 million problem as Georgia faces Alabama after 19 years of regular-season heartbreak
Ahead of Saturday’s October 10 game against Alabama, Finebaum pointed to Smart’s inability to beat the Crimson Tide in the regular season since 2007. Georgia and Alabama are both 5-0, making their latest meeting another chance for Smart to end a long-running struggle against one of his toughest opponents. Their last regular-season win over the Crimson Tide came in 2007, when Matthew Stafford threw an overtime touchdown to help Georgia defeat Nick Saban’s Alabama team. Georgia won the 2022 College Football Playoff National Championship and defeated Alabama in the 2025 SEC Championship Game. The Crimson Tide are averaging 49.6 points per game and enter the contest after a 56-23 win over Mississippi State. Freshman quarterback Keelon Russell has been a major part of that strong start, recording 1,414 passing yards, 11 touchdowns and two interceptions through his first five starts. The Bulldogs are averaging 213 rushing yards per game, with Nate Frazier leading the team with 211 yards and five touchdowns.
Since then, Alabama has won every regular-season meeting between the two programs. Georgia later lost to Ole Miss in the playoff quarterfinals, but that defeat does not change the importance of its previous win over Alabama.
“I’m well aware that Georgia won the last game,” he said. “It was in the SEC Championship Game, and all my Bama friends said we were banged up, we weren’t ready to play. ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum believes Kirby Smart still has one major problem at Georgia, despite the Bulldogs’ success under his leadership. Smart has built Georgia into one of college football’s strongest teams, winning national championships and regularly competing for major honours. However, his overall success has not ended the Bulldogs’ regular-season troubles against Alabama. Smart has beaten the Crimson Tide twice, but both victories came in major postseason or championship games. Well, big deal. The upcoming game gives Smart another chance to break the regular-season pattern. Finebaum believes Alabama has the tools to make Saturday’s game difficult for Georgia. Georgia’s running game could also face a test, especially if one of its leading running backs is unavailable.
Finebaum also addressed the argument that Alabama was not at full strength during last year’s championship meeting.