Paul Finebaum, Stephen A Smith debate Ohio State vs Georgia at No. 1 in first CFP rankings

Paul Finebaum and Stephen A. Smith had a myriad of opinions when it came to the first College Football Playoff rankings of 2023.

Ohio State came in at No. 1 above Georgia in the rankings, and Finebaum doesn’t believe that should’ve been the case on Tuesday.

“Georgia should be No. 1. It has nothing to do with what they’ve done in the past, it’s really about what they are right now, and I still think they’re he best team in the country,” Finebaum said, via First Take. “They proved that Saturday. They weren’t playing a great team in Florida, but they were playing without their best player, and maybe the best player in the country in Brock Bowers. They were dominating. I think that’s what people fail to realize about this team.

“Early on, they took their time. They had some close calls. But in recent weeks, they’ve been dominating. They’ve been explosive. Carson Beck has really emerged as nice replacement to Stetson Bennett. I’m not going to scream and holler. I’m not going to jump up and down. It’ll take care of itself. Ohio State has beat Notre Dame. They beat Penn State. Okay, big deal. I think Georgia is the best team in the country right now.”

On the other hand, Stephen A. Smith wasn’t in agreement with Finebaum, believing the committee got it right, mainly due to the difference in the schedule for Ohio State and Georgia.

“I respectfully disagree,” Smith responded. “I try to defer to the great Paul Finebaum, I truly, truly do. But the bottom line is, I’m looking at Ohio State and yes, you beat Penn State. You beat Notre Dame. I’m just looking at it right now. Those are two victories over top teams. I mean, that’s just how I’m looking at it. I’m looking at the No. 2 ranked defense in the nation. I’m looking at the fact that they’re the only team among the top of the rankings with two wins of top-fifteen teams. I have to take that into consideration. Here’s what I would challenge y’all on. Y’all act like it’s a big deal to be, ‘Oh my Lord, if Georgia’s not No. 1 because their strength of schedule’s not that impressive,’ as long as you’re one of the top four teams and you’re going to be in the College Football Playoff, what’s the big deal? It matters to me, if you’re saying to me that they’re the reigning, defending two-time champions, and if you’re not the No. 1 ranking, it could cost you an opportunity to be in the national championship, I feel you on that. But that’s not the case.

“Your strength of schedule matters. The quality of the opponent that you beat should matter. When I look at Ohio State compared to the other teams, I say to myself, ‘Yo, they deserve to be No. 1.’ Now you’re going to have to beat Georgia to win the ‘ship. They are the reigning, defending two-time national champions. That don’t mean they’ve got to be No. 1, just because they’re the reigning, defending champions. If you’re playing against softies, people that are standing up there and going to Mister Softee looking for ice cream all the damn time, that’s how soft their opponents are, and that other team ain’t doing that, then I’ve got to give credit where credit is due. I’m going with Ohio State at No. 1.”

Alas, we have a while to go until the College Football Playoff is set, and the debate between Georgia and Ohio State will be settled on the field. Until then, Paul Finebaum and Stephen A. Smith will remain steadfast in their opinions.