Paul Finebaum expects Oregon to have easiest transition to new conference

A grand total of 13 teams realigned in the Power Five from last season to this one. Of all of that baker’s dozen, though, Paul Finebaum thinks that Oregon is the one best-suited to handle their move to their new league this fall.

Finebaum gave that answer in an appearance on ‘GoJo and Golic’ on Friday. He said the Ducks will handle their transition the best with how it has already looked to this point. Add in their head coach that’s leading them into this new era along with how this year sets up for them and he thinks, of all these processes across the country, it’s going to go the greatest up in Eugene.

“I’d probably go with Oregon,” said Finebaum. “I think this was one of the more seamless transitions I’ve ever seen.

“I had the opportunity on Wednesday this week to interview Dan Lanning. Just listening to him talk? I mean the man just exudes with confidence,” Finebaum continued. “Some of it is Dillon Gabriel, some of it is the fact that he has Ohio State at home. I know I live and am working at the SEC Network, guys, but, to me, the biggest game of the year in college football is Oregon at Ohio State. I think so much is on the line there. It’s not an eliminator but it’s a definer of programs.”

Oregon entering this season as one of the top contenders certainly helps their case. They’ve gone 22-5 coming in from their first two seasons under Lanning and final pair of seasons in the Pac-12. They’re now among the favorites to win the Big Ten Championship, make the College Football Playoff, and even win the national title.

If Finebaum were to pick a close second, though, it would be the Texas Longhorns out of the SEC.

Texas sets up very similarly as a contender and as the projected second-best team in their new conference. However, what they did last year and how that continues to point their trajectory upwards, especially with their roster, in seasons to come further makes their case.

“I think, after that, it’s obviously Texas,” said Finebaum. “I mean they are positioned incredibly well after years in the wilderness.

“Sarkisian is the right guy. The thing he was bragging most about at SEC Media Days was depth,” Finebaum continued. “I think both of you understand this better than most – to get to the end of the playoff, you’re going to need depth because this is not your typical 13, 14-game season. I mean this could go 16, 17 and that’s going to be hard to do with a college roster.”

One of this season’s biggest storylines will be how all of these programs, individually and collectively, handle their new landscapes. With that said, the one that many, including Finebaum now, are thinking will be the most successful will be that of the Ducks in the Big Ten.