Paul Finebaum is perplexed by the current College Football Playoff rankings, particularly the positioning of Alabama behind South Carolina and Ole Miss. For Finebaum, the Crimson Tide’s resume is simply too strong to be overlooked in this critical moment of the season.
Alabama’s Strong Case
Finebaum firmly believes that Alabama has the edge over its SEC rivals. “I bounced all over the place with Alabama, South Carolina, and Ole Miss, but in the end, I think Alabama clearly has the better resume,” he stated on McElroy and Cubelic. The stakes are high, and as the season winds down, it’s likely that the battle for the final playoff spot will come down to Alabama and South Carolina.
While South Carolina is indeed showing improvement and playing some of their best football, Finebaum argues that head-to-head matchups must be considered. After all, South Carolina has lost to both Alabama and Ole Miss, which complicates their case for a higher ranking. “You have to look at where a team is right now, and clearly, South Carolina is ascending,” Finebaum acknowledged. However, he emphasized that the losses to Alabama and Ole Miss weigh heavily on their playoff aspirations.
The Ole Miss Factor
What about Ole Miss? Finebaum believes they might not even be in the playoff conversation. He pointed out the desperation of Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin, noting that Kiffin’s recent statements reflect a team that is feeling the pressure. “We know South Carolina is playing better today, and I don’t think Ole Miss is even in the conversation,” Finebaum said. This raises the question: can Ole Miss recover and make a late-season push, or are they already out of the running?
Finebaum’s analysis suggests that while South Carolina is on the rise, they still have significant ground to cover. “It would be hard for me to rank them over Alabama and back to a minute ago,” he stated. The reality is that Alabama’s history and performance this season give them a significant advantage.
Head-to-Head Matters
Finebaum’s arguments hinge on the importance of head-to-head matchups. He explained, “Sometimes you can have a weird head-to-head, but in this case, the head-to-head between Alabama and South Carolina, I think, doesn’t matter as much as the head-to-head between Ole Miss and South Carolina.” This is a critical point. The games played earlier in the season have lasting implications, and for South Carolina, their losses to both Alabama and Ole Miss could haunt them as they vie for a playoff spot.
Moreover, Finebaum raised a valid concern about South Carolina’s victories. While they did manage to beat Clemson, he pointed out that Clemson could end up as a four-loss team, which diminishes the significance of that win. “You know who has South Carolina beaten? They beat Clemson, which could be a four-loss team Saturday night. Is that right? So that doesn’t do me a lot of good,” Finebaum remarked.
Alabama’s Uncertain Future
As the season progresses, Alabama finds itself on the proverbial cut line. “I think Alabama is going to be on that cut line, whether they’re inside or out,” Finebaum said. The Crimson Tide caught a couple of breaks this past weekend, but they will need more favorable outcomes to secure their playoff position. “They are going to have to sweat it out all the way down to Sunday at noon,” he added, underscoring the tension that surrounds this critical time in the college football calendar.
With the playoff picture becoming clearer, the focus now shifts to how these teams perform in the coming weeks. Will Alabama manage to solidify its position, or will South Carolina’s late-season surge change the narrative?
South Carolina’s Argument
Finebaum also took a moment to address South Carolina’s strongest argument for playoff consideration. “One last thing on South Carolina, you know what South Carolina’s strongest argument is? It’s a play that didn’t matter,” he quipped. The reference to their controversial LSU game highlights the challenges South Carolina faces in making a compelling case for a playoff spot.
As the college football landscape continues to shift, the debate about Alabama, South Carolina, and Ole Miss will only intensify. With each passing week, the stakes grow higher, and the pressure mounts. Fans and analysts alike are left wondering: who will ultimately secure a coveted spot in the College Football Playoff?
In this unpredictable season, one thing is clear: the fight for playoff positioning is far from over. Each game will have monumental implications, and the teams will need to bring their best to the field. The coming weeks will be a thrilling ride for college football fans, and the outcomes will shape the narrative as we approach the playoffs.
