Paul Finebaum predicts four SEC teams will make College Football Playoff

Coming out of the first weekend of October, the SEC still has several teams, whether legitimately or just mathematically, thinking about the College Football Playoff. So, at this point, how many from the Southeastern Conference will actually be in if the field once it’s selected in December?

On ‘McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning’ on Monday, Paul Finebaum predicted that the number would be four. He could at least see where some people may be coming from with five, but didn’t think that’ll be the case some time for the selections to be made based on how the conference’s schedule plays out.

“I think four is a safe bet,” said Finebaum. “I mean, I understand those who are proclaiming five, but I think anybody who puts five fingers up hasn’t studied the SEC schedule very well.”

Going into Week 7, the SEC has four undefeated teams at 5-0 in No. 4 Ole Miss, No. 5 Texas A&M, No. 6 Oklahoma, and No. 14 Missouri. They’re followed by a collection of one-loss teams with No. 8 Alabama, who has yet to lose in conference play, and then No. 10 Georgia, No. 11 LSU, No. 12 Tennessee, and No. 20 Vanderbilt. Teams like Auburn, Mississippi State, South Carolina, and Texas are then two-loss teams that are at least still mathematically alive, and then a team like a Florida as a three-loss team already still has at least a non-zero chance considering the strength of schedule. That’s a breakdown in saying there are several from the Southeastern Conference who could still fill their way into the field for the College Football Playoff.

That’s with a lot to still determine between now and December 7th. For example, Week 7 features seven more matchups of note in the league, including one that’ll be between Top-15 teams in CoMo first thing on Saturday morning.

“I think, just this weekend, in Columbia, Missouri – I mean, what if Missouri wins that game? I mean, they will have come through a pretty amazing preseason – not overly challenging, by the way, other than Alabama, but they’re sitting pretty,” mentioned Finebaum. “And I think that affects Alabama a lot because, you know, Alabama, on paper, looks like a sure-fire thing, but the schedule is changing quickly for Alabama.”

There are still two months of the season to play before the selection committee picks the field for the playoff. And, as of today, Finebaum thinks four is the exact number of teams, representing a third of the field with likely their champion, runner-up, and two at-larges, which will eventually be in from the SEC.

“I think, I’m going to say four for right now just to be on the safe side,” said Finebaum. “It’s not going to be three. I’ll make that prediction right here.”