Paul Finebaum lists teams that can prevent Georgia from national championship three-peat

Some teams are ready to say enough is enough. After two years of dominance for Georgia, other programs are ready to hoist the trophy after winning the College Football Playoff rather than see UGA accomplish the improbable feat of raising their third straight.

With that said, who are the teams that reasonably have a shot at dethroning the ‘Dawgs? Well, on First Take this morning, Paul Finebaum gave three options at SEC Media Days that he considers as possibilities: Alabama, Ohio State, and USC. All three are fairly obvious coming into the season. In the end, they also all bring different things to the table that could make them contenders this fall.

“There are a couple of teams that a possibility or a chance at it. I think, within the SEC, Alabama would be the best bet. That does not take a rocket scientist, which I’m not, to come up with,” Finebaum said. “Outside, I like Ohio State. There’s still an issue about how the quarterback situation will land. Other than that, they probably have as much talent, if not more, as anyone in the country. If you’re looking for a wildcard, certainly Southern Cal with the Heisman Trophy winner (in) Caleb Williams.”

Regardless of who wins it instead, Finebaum went on to say that he doesn’t believe that Georgia is going to three-peat. He did add that it is interesting, though, that Kirby Smart was a part of the last program that tried to accomplish the absurd in Tuscaloosa from 2011 to 2013.

“After having said all that, I don’t think Georgia is going to do what no one has done,” Finebaum said.

“And what’s so interesting about Georgia? Kirby Smart was a big part of the last major assault on a three-peat,” said Finebaum. “He was the defensive coordinator 10 years ago when Alabama was derailed on the famous Kick-Six play, one of the most epic plays of college football history. Alabama didn’t win that year. Kirby Smart has a chance to do what he couldn’t do as an assistant for Nick Saban.”

Georgia has earned the right as a favorite until they aren’t. A record of 29-1 over the past pair of seasons in Athens more than justifies that position. Even so, history isn’t the only issue that’s not on their side. Teams across the country are going to chase them all year long and, to Finebaum, the Tide, Buckeyes, and Trojans have the best shot of at least keeping pace, if not defeating the defending champions, in 2023.