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ESPN’s Paul Finebaum Bluntly Calls Out $130M Head Coach’s “Problem” Amid 19-Year Setback

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart enters his 11th season with a $130 million contract and a program that has thrived under his leadership, but a persistent 19-year drought against Alabama looms large. The Bulldogs have gone 112-9 against every other team since 2017, yet their regular-season record against the Crimson Tide stands at 2-7, with Smart’s only wins coming in the 2022 College Football Playoff National Championship and the 2025 SEC Championship.

ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum highlighted the stark contrast, noting that while Georgia’s dominance elsewhere is undeniable, Alabama remains their Achilles’ heel—especially with the Crimson Tide’s explosive offense averaging 49.6 points per game this season. Freshman quarterback Keelon Russell has been a catalyst, throwing for 1,414 yards and 11 touchdowns in his first five starts, while Alabama’s recent 56-23 win over Mississippi State underscores their current form.

Though Georgia’s defense is slightly stronger, Finebaum dismissed excuses that Alabama wasn’t at full strength in last year’s SEC Championship win, calling it a “big deal” that Georgia still couldn’t break the regular-season losing streak. With the Bulldogs and Crimson Tide both 5-0 heading into their October 10 matchup, the stage is set for another high-stakes clash—and another opportunity for Smart to finally end the frustration against his biggest rival.

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