Paul Finebaum 'firmly expects' Alabama to play for SEC title, contend for playoff spot in 2023

Many spend their time counting down the days until the end of dominance for Alabama under Nick Saban. After missing out on the SEC Championship and College Football Playoff this season and losing both coordinators, some even thought that time had finally come.

Well, from what Paul Finebaum shared on Monday, he says not so fast. In an appearance on ‘McElroy and Cubelic In The Morning, Finebaum said the reports of the Tide’s death have been greatly exaggerated. Considering Georgia is the only program to seriously have a claim that they’ve overtaken them, he says he fully expects them to be back in the SEC title game and CFP next season.

“I am fairly high on Alabama. I’m not buying into this sudden shift toward LSU. It’s one thing to talk about Georgia and Alabama in the same sentence. It’s another to talk about Alabama and everyone else,” Finebaum said. “I still think Alabama is in the upper elite of college football. What does that mean? I think they are next after Georgia, which is a good place to be considering what has been going on.”

“The program has slipped but it has slipped from one to two. But that’s as far as I’ll go right now,” said Finebaum. “I firmly expect Alabama to be in the championship again next year. And to be seriously contending for a final four berth.”

Did Alabama underachieve this season? Sure, that case can be made. However, they still finished 11-2 with the pair of losses coming by a combined four points to two Top-15 teams on the road. It might feel like the sky is falling in Tuscaloosa but, as Finebaum assures, it is most certainly not.

With the hirings of Tommy Rees and Kevin Steele complete, Saban and Alabama can now focus on getting the program back to the level of contention they expect. That’s why Finebaum is so confident as he fully anticipates the Tide to set the record straight next season.