Paul Finebaum says Nick Saban 'didn't help the cause' in SEC scheduling decisions

Decision makers around the SEC have seen their fair share of criticism over the last few days following the news that the conference would be remaining within their eight-game schedule model. However, to Paul Finebaum, those critics should be sure to focus on one man who helped all these dominoes to eventually fall: Alabama’s Nick Saban.

Finebaum explained Saban’s role in the decision-making process while on ‘McElroy and Cubelic In The Morning’ on Monday. In some ways, he recognizes that the SEC is to blame for dropping the ball on this. Still, he also named the Crimson Tide’s head coach considering how he became a shield for the other schools who weren’t in favor of the nine-game model to hide behind.

“Really, in some ways, it’s the SEC’s own fault,” Finebaum said. “Had they gotten this thing out faster, they wouldn’t have given all the various parties a chance to pontificate.”

“I want people to hear what I’m saying clearly. I’m not blaming but I’m stating: Nick Saban didn’t help the cause,” Finebaum continued. “When Nick Saban gave that interview a couple of months ago about what he thought was Alabama’s new permanent rivals? I think he gave cover to all the other ones out there who did not want to go. And I think those are self-explanatory. For Nick Saban, who had been the leader of the nine-game parade for more than 12 years, to suddenly pause? It gave some of the other schools who have been less successful to hide behind him.”

“He has never specifically said it. But he clearly did not like the lot that Alabama was being given,” said Finebaum. “So I just think it was a lot of things happening at once.”

Saban remains the most recognizable face in the SEC, especially when it comes to college football. What he says and believes carries weight, whether anyone else wants to admit it or not. So, with his opinion seemingly flipping from support of nine games to support of eight, several other faces across the league took notice and, in turn, took advantage, at least according to Finebaum.

Saban has quite a large say so when it comes to how things should go in the sport. That’s a big reason why, at least for now, Finebaum believes the SEC is remaining at eight contests per conference season.