Paul Finebaum: Maybe everyone underestimated Georgia

UGA dominated in their season opener versus No. 11 ranked Oregon with a 49-3 victory. The Bulldogs looked like they were picking up where they left off coming off of their National Championship winning season last year, but some people believed they would take a step back this season. College football analyst Paul Finebaum joined ESPN’s Matt Barrie to recap Week 1’s college football action, and Finebaum spoke on how the offseason narrative surrounding Georgia could’ve been all wrong.

“I think people today Matt and all week I think you’re going to start to hear them cement around the idea that maybe Georgia is something that we didn’t really think that they were going to be and that’s not only a contender but maybe a superpower. They certainly looked like it yesterday and forget everything that had been said, you can argue easily that they’re the best team in the country. How do we know right now? We’ll figure it out soon,” Finebaum said.

We may not figure it out in the immediate future with the Bulldogs facing FCS Samford next week at home, but it will definitely be interesting to see how the season plays out for Georgia. The Bulldogs lost a record 15 players last year to the NFL draft, and surely have a different-looking roster this season filled with younger, highly recruited talent.

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They do have continuity at the quarterback position, as they bring back starter Stetson Bennett this season. Bennett, even after leading UGA to a National Championship win last season, still faces some criticism about his talent and ability, as he was a walk-on, turned junior college quarterback, turned SEC starter. Bennett had a tremendous game in his 2022 opener throwing for 368 yards and two touchdowns, and also added a rushing touchdown to his stat line.

Despite some slight criticism, Georgia does enter the season ranked No. 3 in the country and as one of the favorites to return to the College Football Playoff. It’ll take more time to see if they take a step back from last season’s title team, or if they maintain their dominant, winning ways. But regardless, they surely started the season off on the right foot and seem poised to make yet another National Championship run.