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Paul Finebaum, Ryan McGee pumped for Georgia – Tennessee

On3 imageby:Wes Blankenship•11/02/22
On3 image

Georgia and Tennessee will meet for a battle of two number-one teams. Just depends on who you ask, and which poll you value more.

If I’m the SEC and/or a TV executive, I’m just calling it a matchup of two number-ones.

My ‘Wes Wednesday’ conversation(s) come close to a couple guys who may be able to run my crazy idea up the flagpole.

I don’t think they will.

But I do think Tennessee alums Paul Finebuam and Ryan McGee will have a lot of fun in Athens this weekend, despite their allegiances.

This Georgia grad respects the work that both of these Vols do week in and week out in the greatest sporting conference in America.

Each one has been kind enough to have me on their shows throughout the last few years. I figured Georgia – Tennessee week should be a fine opportunity to have them return the favor on our platform here at DawgsHQ.

I spoke with both of them about Vince Dooley, and of course, the historic #1 vs #1 matchup of Georgia vs Tennessee.

Paul Finebaum likes Georgia defense despite Nolan Smith absence

Finebaum has a ton of respect for Georgia’s offense coming into its Tennessee showdown. Specifically All-American tight end Brock Bowers.

“I don’t understand why anybody gets the ball other than Brock Bowers, Finebaum said.

“That would just be my decision every day, to toss him the ball.”

Even with Georgia’s playbook (which is slightly more complex than Paul’s strategy), Finebaum expects a Georgia win won’t happen without an outstanding showing on the defensive side of the ball.

“I think if Georgia wins, and obviously they’re favored. It’s going to come down to some element of the defense. Whether it’s the defensive line or the secondary. And I know the (Nolan Smith) injury really hurts Georgia. But I still think there’s so much depth on Georgia’s defensive side of the ball,” Finebaum said.

“If we’re sitting there Sunday morning talking about a Georgia win, there’s going to be some standout on the defensive side.”

I also asked Paul who he thinks would win in Milkbone battle between Uga and Smokey.

Tune in for that, if for no other reason.

As for Ryan McGee, we dove into a little more NASCAR and Star Wars, of course

This tweet about the CFB Playoff gave McGee and myself an excuse to address Ross Chastain’s wild finish at Martinsville.

Thank you for that, Chris.

But I also had to give McGee an opportunity to talk about Star Wars.

It isn’t pandering, I just know it’s that important to him.

I truly wasn’t expecting it, but when I asked him to compare this year’s Georgia – Tennessee matchup to a Star Wars moment, he said the Dawgs are up there with the most dangerous weapon in the galaxy.

And the Vols are Luke Skywalker.

“This is easy man. Georgia’s the Death Star. They got all the toys, they got all the tools. They got the biggest weapon. You’re the defending national champs,” McGee said.

We also worked in a ‘Top Gun’ reference when discussing just how quickly the Tennessee hype train got rolling.

I’ve had some Georgia fans ask us on our message board why the Dawgs didn’t get the ‘media darling’ treatment that the Vols seem to have this season.

I think McGee’s perspective is fair. But I’ll let you judge for yourself.

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