Paul Finebaum: Georgia's path to the College Football Playoff 'still fine' after loss vs. Alabama

Georgia was on the losing end of a regular-season game for the first time in almost four years this past weekend. Still, while it obviously impacted their playoff projections, Paul Finebaum says the Bulldogs are still okay coming into October.

Finebaum assessed Georgia’s playoff hopes following their loss to Alabama during an appearance on SportsCenter on Monday. While not where they were heading into the weekend, they’re still right there in the race, especially another loss elsewhere made their schedule look much better than it previously did.

“They’re not as good as they were but they’re still fine,” said Finebaum.

“Here’s why,” Finebaum said. “Their schedule is difficult. They have Texas on October 19th. They have Ole Miss later on but that Ole Miss game looks a little bit easier after what we saw against Kentucky.”

The 41-34 loss to ‘Bama in Tuscaloosa could have been much worse than it was. They were already having to play a top-five opponent, specifically one that has caused them more many problems as any other program, at night on the road. They then immediately got themselves in a 28-point hole by the second quarter with the Tide rolling.

Still, Georgia rallied all the way back with a 34-5 run to take a one-point lead by the fourth quarter. Alabama would immediately respond and win but, based on the second half alone, the Bulldogs certainly have much less to have concern about then they would have.

“I think Kirby Smart said it afterward. They saw a lot of things, actually played really well in that second half,” said Finebaum. “They just took the first half off – not advisable.”

As he noted as well, Georgia’s remaining schedule continues to look better from here in conference play. Auburn and Florida are rivals that are dealing with their own problems beyond their respective games against UGA. Then, while Texas and Tennessee remain in the top-five, their trip to The ‘Sip to play the Rebels looks far simpler after they themselves lost too earlier on Saturday.

The Bulldogs still have two-thirds of a fall left to remain in the top-dozen for the College Football Playoff. Finebaum expects they will be too with where they still sit to start the second month of the season.

“I think the ‘Dawgs are in good shape,” said Finebaum.