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College Football Playoff: Paul Finebaum evaluates Georgia, Texas chances of winning national title

IMG_6598by:Nick Kosko•12/11/24•

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Paul Finebaum likes Georgia and Texas as far as the contenders in the College Football Playoff, but each path has an asterisk.

Georgia landed the No. 2 seed in the CFP while Texas is the No. 5 following the latter’s second loss to the Bulldogs in the SEC Championship. If either team is going to make a run, you better have good quarterback play.

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In the case of Georgia and Texas, it’s Carson Beck’s health and Quinn Ewers’ play.

“I have a slight lead toward Georgia, although I see the path for Texas as well,” Finebaum said on McElroy and Cubelic. “I think the X-Factor is Carson Beck. What exactly is his condition? You know? I mean, both quarterbacks, even if he is around, have had their issues this year. Right now, I do like Georgia’s chances with an asterisk (on) Carson Beck’s condition.”

Finebaum likes Georgia and Texas but there’s no clear cut favorite in this year’s playoff. He’d throw Oregon into the mix, as well as Ohio State.

Heck, forget Georgia and Texas, Finebaum was ready to give props to Notre Dame and Penn State.

“I don’t think it’s clear cut,” Finebaum said. “ I think I like Georgia from one side and Oregon from the other side. Oregon is that quiet team, and I don’t mean to act like we haven’t been watching them all year, but you know, we spent so much time talking about Ohio State. I think Ohio State’s path is rather difficult on that front, but I don’t think there’s an overwhelming favorite. 

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“Georgia and Oregon, for me, are the two most likely. You can make a case for Texas. On one hand you can make a case for Notre Dame. Listen, Penn State probably has the easiest path but trusting James Franklin is not something I’m willing to do.”

Georgia gets the bye week and awaits the winner of Notre Dame and Indiana while Texas hosts Clemson in the first round. The winner of that game will advance to take on Arizona State.

As Finebaum alluded to, the paths are there but Georgia gets contender Notre Dame, hypothetically, and Texas gets underdog Arizona State.

Texas begins their playoff run on Saturday, December 21st at 4:00 p.m. when Clemson comes to Austin.