Paul Finebaum Reveals Only College Football Team That Could Reach Playoff With Three Losses
By J.C. Shelton,
7 hours ago
College football is in for an unprecedented finish to the season in 2024. The expanded 12-team playoff has changed the entirety of how teams are evaluated throughout the year.
Gone are the days when only one or two losses can derail a program's chances at the postseason. There is real playoff potential for teams with multiple blemishes on their records, though that depends on how the season plays out in its entirety.
As it stands through six weeks of action, the SEC has the best chance to field the most teams in the playoff with five teams ranked inside the AP top 10. No. 1 Texas is undefeated, followed by Georgia (No. 5), Alabama (No. 7), Tennessee (No. 8) and Ole Miss (No. 9), each with one loss.
The strength of the conference leads to one major question. Is is possible for a team to make the playoff with three losses? That feat has never been done in the four-team era, but expansion has opened the door to the possibility.
According to ESPN host Paul Finebaum, only one team could punch a ticket to the playoff with three losses.
Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart.
John David Mercer-Imagn Images
“I think the only team in America that could possibly lose three games and get in the playoff is Georgia," he said .
The Bulldogs had not lost a regular season game dating back to 2020 before its trip to Alabama to take on the No. 4 Crimson Tide in Week 4. Then ranked No. 2, Georgia was significantly outplayed in the first half, losing 30-7 at the break. But then the Bulldogs and star quarterback Carson Beck hit a different gear, mounting a comeback that was ultimately cut short thanks to a game-winning touchdown pass from Alabama's Jalen Milroe to receiver Ryan Williams in the final minutes.
Georgia left Nick Saban Field with a 41-34 loss, the first in 42 straight regular season games.
Because of how Kirby Smart's Dawgs played in the second half against Kalen DeBoer and company, Finebaum doesn't think the loss will hold much weight in the minds of the playoff committee. That's if Georgia takes care of business in Austin next week.
"Because I don't think the Alabama loss really counts," he said. "I know that sounds crazy but everyone that watched that game knows it was an even game. The committee will look at that and go, 'They lost by one play in Tuscaloosa, so have they made up for that?' And how can Georgia make up for that? Well, they'll have to beat Texas I think, frankly because you need something."
A win over the No. 1 Longhorns could be the difference maker for the Dawgs if they falter later in the season against teams like Ole Miss (Nov. 9) and Tennessee (Nov. 16).
"Beating Ole Miss and Tennessee, while good, is not the same as winning in Austin against the No. 1 team in the country. I think they (Georgia) would get the Alabama game back by doing that."
Georgia (5-1) will take on Mississippi State (1-4) at home this week before its trip to Austin on Oct. 19. Texas (5-0) will square off against No. 18 Oklahoma (4-1) in the Red River Rivalry on Saturday ahead of the potential top five matchup.
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