Paul Finebaum considers whether Alabama can ‘hold serve’ against LSU

Paul Finebaum has his focus on the rivalry between the LSU Tigers and Alabama Crimson Tide, and who has the edge moving forward.

With SEC Media Days quickly approaching, the ESPN analyst believes whether LSU or Alabama is the team to beat in the SEC West will be the biggest storyline, as he explained during an appearance on The Matt Barrie Show.

“I think once you push Kirby Smart’s situation off the table, which I think it will be handled within five minutes, it is what happens next with Nick Saban, and can he hold serve against Brian Kelly,” theorized Finebaum. “Matt, a lot of pundits, which is essentially what media day is, is about LSU having moved into that position. I don’t buy it. I think Alabama’s still very strong.

“I think the LSU-Alabama game being in Tuscaloosa matters a lot in favor of the Crimson Tide. But what if I we’re wrong? What if Brian Kelly has really, already changed the dynamics, in such a short period of time? So I’m focused, as I usually am, on Saban, but this has turned out to be one of the most intriguing media days with Nick Saban that we’ve ever had.”

While Finebaum recognizes that LSU is on the up and up with Kelly in charge, the analyst stressed that he doesn’t believe the Tigers have passed the Crimson Tide just yet, and we need to respect Alabama and Saban.

“I literally had a guy say the other day that LSU absolutely has passed Alabama. I just haven’t seen it,” said Finebaum. “It took a two-point conversion in a bizarre game in Tiger Stadium on a Saturday night for that to happen. During a stretch where Alabama was leaking oil. Would that have happened earlier in the season on the day that Tennessee went in there and won by 28? Or later in the season when Alabama put it together? No. I don’t think so.”

“That was a very strange occurrence. As much as I respect what Brian Kelly has done? That program is really in the same zip code at the moment as Alabama.”

Finebaum isn’t putting LSU ahead of Alabama, but he does think the Tigers are coming. Still, they’re not there yet in his eyes, as he thinks Kelly’s team is at best on the same level as the Crimson Tide.

Nevertheless, it’ll all be settled on the field. Paul Finebaum, along with the rest of the college football world, will be watching closely to see what transpires between the two SEC powers.