Paul Finebaum definitively answers how many SEC teams will make the College Football Playoff in 2024

SEC fans could be in for a fun year. During an appearance on “Get Up” on Monday, Paul Finebaum revealed how many teams SEC teams he expects to make the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff.

“Well, the proper answer down here in Dallas is 16. But, the real answer is four,” Finebaum said with a laugh. “I think four is realistic. I don’t think any more than four.”

In the 12-team format, the four highest-ranked conference champions will be seeded Nos. 1-4 and receive a first-round bye. One of those teams will be from the SEC. However, there are still eight other slots available.

Teams can earn at-wide berths in the CFP with excellent performances during the regular season. With Oklahoma and Texas joining the SEC in the upcoming season, the conference has no shortage of talented teams.

According to FanDuel, Georgia is the favorite to win the national championship in the 2024 campaign. However, Texas, Alabama and Ole Miss are also in top six. LSU and Tennessee follow closely behind and are in the top 12.

Heather Dinich explains the CFP selection process

ESPN’s Heather Dinich provided further details on why the SEC could squeeze four teams into the CFP.

“Here’s what people have to remember: it’s the five highest-ranked conference champions and the next seven best teams. So you got an SEC champ in, right, but you also have Big Ten, Big 12, ACC and a Group of Five champion. There’s five gone, you got one SEC in.”

That’s just for starters. After those slots, Dinich sees some other non-SEC clubs getting in as well.

“I’m putting Notre Dame in. I think Notre Dame is going to be great, talked to Marcus Freeman yesterday. So that’s six spots, right,” Dinich continued. “Then you got the loser of Ohio State–Oregon, whoever it might be. That’s seven. Maybe Michigan, maybe Penn State.”

That only leaves a few slots left, but Dinich does say those could go to SEC teams depending on how the season unfolds.

“But then, I think you can have three other SEC teams in there. Texas should be in, the loser of the SEC Championship game, then what are we talking about? Ole Miss, they should be in if they’re a two-loss team.”

Fans will hear more about SEC teams’ chances of reaching the College Football Playoff in the coming days. The 2024 SEC Media Days will conclude on Thursday.

On3’s Alex Weber also contributed to this article.