As Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs gear up for the 2025 season, ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum is raising concerns over one key area: the offense.
Finebaum, known for his blunt assessments, has never hesitated to voice his opinions – even about Smart, the two-time national championship-winning head coach.
Although Georgia accomplished some great things in 2024, claiming their third SEC championship under Smart, the Bulldogs ultimately fell short of national title expectations.
After winning back-to-back championships in 2021 and 2022, Georgia’s quest for a third consecutive championship came to a disappointing halt when they lost 23-10 to Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl quarterfinals.
Replacing special weapons like Brock Bowers and Ladd McConkey was never going to be easy. But the fact of the matter is the offense struggled more than expected.
Notably, the Bulldogs were tripped up by two losses during the regular season – against Alabama and Ole Miss – putting a blemish on an otherwise strong campaign.
Finebaum, appearing on 680 The Fan, outlined what he believes is the biggest problem facing Georgia as they move into 2025.
“I frankly believe Georgia’s problem is at the offensive coordinator’s position,” Finebaum said bluntly. “I think Kirby Smart, for as great as I believe he is and I know you guys agree, is being way too loyal to Mike Bobo, and I would get rid of Bobo today.”
Mike Bobo, a former Georgia quarterback and Smart’s teammate, took over as offensive coordinator for the Bulldogs in 2023 after Todd Monken left to join the Baltimore Ravens.
Bobo had previously held the same role under former head coach Mark Richt from 2007 to 2014, during which he helped set a school record for points per game in 2013.
In 2023, Georgia’s offense ranked fifth nationally, leading them to an SEC title game appearance, though they were left out of the College Football Playoff despite a 13-1 record. (Sore subject, I know.)
However, in 2024, with star players like Bowers (now with the Raiders) and McConkey (Chargers) gone, Georgia’s offense struggled.
Although Carson Beck returned under center, the offense could not replicate its previous success. Georgia ended the season ranked 38th in scoring offense, 51st in total offense, and 71st in turnovers.
Despite these struggles, the Bulldogs managed to win the SEC championship, though Beck missed the second half of the game and the playoff loss to Notre Dame due to injury.
Still, Finebaum believes the drop-off in performance isn’t something Georgia fans should simply overlook.
“That (offense) was the frustrating part of last season and Georgia was good, they just weren’t great,” Finebaum said. “They still did okay but okay isn’t good enough at Georgia anymore.”
When asked who he would suggest to take over the offensive coordinator role, Finebaum didn’t hold back.
“I think you could walk down Peachtree Street and get a better offensive coordinator than Bobo,” he harshly said.
Despite the “down year” in 2024, Georgia has arguably become the standard in college football. However, Kirby can’t allow Bobo to hold back the offense much longer.
What are your thoughts on Finebaum’s brutally honest take? … Do the Dawgs have a Bobo problem???
