Paul Finebaum compares Big Ten to Talladega NASCAR race

When the NASCAR Cup Series takes the track at Talladega, anything can happen. That’s exactly why Paul Finebaum compared the Big Ten to the Talladega on The ESPN College Football Podcast this week.

Jockeying for position, trying to get a victory at all cost — and you don’t have any idea who’s going to be victorious until they cross the finish line. The Big Ten and Talladega share many similarities this season, and Finebaum explained why.

“The Big Ten reminds me a little bit of the final turn at Talladega. You got like seven-wide, and there’s going to be a crash,” said Finebaum. “I just don’t know who’s going to be lucky enough.

“I think Ohio State will be. Give [Jim] Harbaugh credit .. he continues to amaze. .. Every week now is going to be fascinating.”

The Big Ten features five of the top ten teams in the AP top 25. Currently, Iowa leads the way — with Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan and Michigan State rounding out the conferences impressive contribution.

While Iowa took the lead for all intents and purposes by defeating Penn State this weekend, James Franklin’s squad is far from out of the running. Much like a driver who had some trouble early at Talladega, the Nittany Lions can put together a winning streak and catapult themselves back into the College Football Playoff conversation as the season progresses.

As for Ohio State, they’re like Dale Earnhardt Jr. waiting to make his move until the final turn. Using Finebaum’s analogy, they’re finding their groove and picking up immense speed.

Moreover, Michigan and Michigan State both stayed undefeated this weekend. The Wolverines survived the Cornhuskers in Nebraska, and the Spartans took care of business against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. When these two teams meet in two weeks, it could be one of the biggest games of the entire college football season.

Paul Finebaum’s Top Teams

After Saturday’s slate, Finebaum picked who’d be leading the pack at Talladega. Evidently, he believes Georgia, Iowa, Cincinnati and Oklahoma are the fastest on the track right now.

Much like many of the top drivers at Talladega, perhaps the Big Ten could take each-other out of the running. Still, Ohio State, Michigan and Michigan State are making compelling cases to be ranked within Finebaum’s top teams.

While Paul Finebaum compared the Big Ten to Talladega’s final turn, we’re not quite there yet. There’s still plenty of racing left — enough time for teams to either separate themselves, or put together a comeback.

Much like how Talladega is one of the most exciting tracks in NASCAR, the Big Ten is on their way to being the most exciting conference in college football.