Skip to main content
Join
Team Avatar
Georgia

Paul Finebaum: Georgia's domination of Oregon reveals Bulldogs on Alabama's level

Alex Weberby:Alex Weber•09/06/22
On3 image
(Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The top of the SEC made a statement this past weekend. With Georgia’s 49-3 obliteration of Oregon raising eyebrows around the country. Including those of SEC Network analyst Paul Finebaum.

On a recent appearance on McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning, Finebaum explained that the Pac-12 just isn’t on the level of the SEC, even though it is still a respectable conference. He also made the bold claim that Georgia now needs to be considered on the same level of Alabama.

Here were his full thoughts on the SEC’s victories over the Pac-12 in Week 1 and why the Georgia win in particular is telling.

Paul Finebaum: Georgia is on Alabama’s level

“I think it’s a little bit of a mixed bag in the Pac-12. Because, to me, Utah kind of did what we thought they would do. They would come into a hostile place and struggle and maybe or maybe not pull it out. So I hate to just paint with a broad brush. The Pac-12 is a good league. It’s not prepared to go to a middle-of-the-road SEC stadium, especially Florida, and win.

“But I still think what it really is, is an amalgamation of enormous talent at Georgia. And we’re starting to see Alabama east. I know that’s been the calling card for years, and we all know what Kirby Smart took over there. We all know what he’s been attempting to build, two national championship appearances. Nobody should be surprised. I think that’s now the norm though. That Georgia is on the same level as Alabama. And I don’t think you can deny that. I think that’s really what we saw. We’ve seen that with Alabama, but sometimes with Georgia, we’re just not sure.

“A year ago today, when we’re talking about Georgia’s opener, we’re still not sure what to make out of that game against Clemson. Now again, they had a different quarterback. And I think Stetson Bennett clearly ended the conversation about his decision. I don’t think we’ve seen the best from Georgia yet. That was just a warmup. I think this program has planted a flag and I can’t see any reason to believe the conversation about them will change in the near future.”