Paul Finebaum analyzes if the SEC is not college football's top conference
When Fall comes around, the the Southeastern Conference usually asserts its dominance on the football field. That hasn’t been the case this season, though, as several other leagues have registered statement wins early, often against SEC competition in multiple matchups so far.
Still, as Paul Finebaum said on ‘The Audible’ on Wednesday, he isn’t taking too much from these data points that are this early in the season. If Georgia finishes the year with a three-peat or another SEC team wins it all again in the College Football Playoff, he believes that will make nearly all, if not every, other success from the other conferences null and void.
“I, certainly, think it depends on the end,” said Finebaum. “If Georgia wins at the end of the year? Then I think that washes away any of the bragging rights with what happens.”
Finebaum also noted that few of the outright losses from the SEC are actually too stunning. In his eyes, LSU getting dismantled by Florida State is the only outcome that has surprised him as he said we should have almost expected other teams like the Gamecocks and Aggies to slip early.
“Every case is different but probably the only game of that group that totally floored me was how poorly LSU looked. I mean that was the one school that I was counting on to be a contender,” said Finebaum. “South Carolina losing a game shouldn’t surprise anyone, Jimbo losing a big game shouldn’t surprise anyone either.”
There’s a lot of season left to go and Georgia is one of the conference’s teams that has yet to play anyone of substance. That’s why, after just two weeks, Finebaum isn’t too quick on calling a code red when it comes to the state of the SEC.
Finebaum says Nick Saban is ‘not the center of attention’ anymore
Paul Finebaum believes Nick Saban’s career might not last too much longer based solely on his positioning on the totem pole.
Finebaum spoke about Saban’s legacy and future during an appearance on ‘The Audible’ on Wednesday. He said there’s at least some level of vulnerability that comes with Saban these days considering how his age plays into this stage of his career.
“He has to feel vulnerable,” said Finebaum. “I’m a couple of years behind him so I don’t want to get too carried away with the age question. But he’s about to turn 72. There’s not a 72-year-old in America, except the two guys running for president of the United States, who don’t think about age and their place in history.”
“I think he has to be thinking about that,” said Finebaum. “I don’t think he wants to walk away nor do I think he’ll immediately consider that.”
Finebaum also added that the dimming of the spotlight on him might also affect Saban’s next steps.
“He also, I don’t think, can handle being just another guy,” Finebaum said. “Right now? He’s not another guy but he’s not the center of attention. He’s not the center of attention in his own league. And he certainly isn’t the center of attention in college football with what is happening in Boulder.”