# Paul Finebaum Picks Alabama Over Georgia

> Paul Finebaum names Kirby Smart’s Alabama problem as Georgia’s biggest threat.
- Title: Paul Finebaum Picks Alabama Over Georgia · CFB-HQ On SI
- Summary: Paul Finebaum names Kirby Smart’s Alabama problem as Georgia’s biggest threat. Paul Finebaum says Kirby Smart has never beaten Alabama in regular-season…
- Keywords: paul finebaum, kirby smart, georgia, alabama, sec championship, college football, alabama football, georgia football, sec, sports, Paul, Finebaum
- Source: CFB-HQ On SI — https://si.com/fannation/college/cfb-hq/picks/paul-finebaum-makes-georgia-vs-alabama-pick-names-kirby-smart-major-problem
- Published: 2026-10-09T15:04:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: paul finebaum, kirby smart, georgia, alabama, sec championship, college football, alabama football, georgia football, sec, sports
## Paul Finebaum says Georgia has Alabama problem
ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum says Saturday’s top-10 showdown carries more weight for No. 2 Georgia than No. 6 Alabama, pointing to Kirby Smart’s winless regular-season record against the Crimson Tide.

> It’s bigger for Georgia because Georgia has an Alabama problem, and so does Kirby Smart
## Kirby Smart’s Alabama regular-season drought
Alabama has won every regular-season meeting since Georgia’s overtime win in Tuscaloosa in 2007.
## Finebaum dismisses Georgia’s SEC Championship win
Finebaum dismissed Georgia’s 28-7 win over Alabama in last season’s SEC Championship Game.

> I’m well aware, Greeny, that georgia won the last game. It was in the sec championship game, and all my bama friends say, ‘we were banged up. we weren’t ready to play.’ well, big deal
## DeBoer’s win streak against Smart
Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer has won both of his regular-season meetings with Smart, 41-34 at Bryant-Denny Stadium in 2024 and 24-21 in Athens last season.

> almost unthinkable when you think about kirby smart as being the premier coach
## Weather won’t affect game
Alabama and the SEC monitored Hurricane Isaias all week as forecasts called for heavy rain in Tuscaloosa. Finebaum doesn’t expect the storm to factor into the 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff on ABC.

> The storm is long gone. I’ve read weather maps more this week than I have read books on how to grow more hair, greeny, and it’s just not going to be a big deal. The grass at tuscaloosa drains about as well as augusta national
## Finebaum picks Alabama
Finebaum took Alabama, as did ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky, while Joe Fortenbaugh and Harry Douglas picked Georgia.

> I think this alabama team is so complete. georgia has a slightly better defense, but the fact that we’re talking about alabama in the same category is important. alabama’s offense has been explosive
## Russell’s quarterback edge
Alabama ranks first nationally in offensive success rate, and Finebaum gave the quarterback edge to Keelon Russell, who has 11 touchdown passes and two interceptions.

> Take nothing away from gunner stockton. he’s really played well, but he’s not the best quarterback in this game
## Georgia loses key running back
Georgia will also play without running back Chauncey Bowens, who was ruled out after getting hurt against Vanderbilt. Bowens has 164 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 35 carries.

> Georgia has lost one of its top two running backs. that’s a big deal in a game like this
## Key takeaway

Paul Finebaum says Kirby Smart has never beaten Alabama in regular-season games, making Georgia’s SEC matchup with Alabama more critical.