Paul Finebaum has the best 'Get off my lawn' take over CFP to date

Jeff Hauser

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Paul Finebaum has the best 'Get off my lawn' take over CFP to date image

ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum is no stranger to hot takes about College Football. It's part of his brand and why people consider him a respected analyst. 

But his latest critique pushed even further than usual. While appearing on ESPN’s First Take this week, Finebaum argued that Group of Five programs should be excluded entirely from the 12-team College Football format. It's a stance that immediately sparked debate and made many reconsider if the current Playoff structure is too much. 

Finebaum is SEC-centric and so is his commentary. He made his case while discussing whether the league deserved as many as six playoff bids. Yes, half of the field going to the SEC. Instead of focusing solely on conference depth, he went after the broader structure.

“What is wrong with this country?” Finebaum said. “This is supposed to be about excellence, not about being fair. It’s already a convoluted system because we let the Group of whatever in… That division really has no business playing. That’s like letting the Triple-A best team into the Major League playoffs.”

The SEC hasn’t won a national title in the past two seasons, just incase Finebaum isn't keeping score. Also, with the shift to a 12-team playoff in 2024, the top five conference champions,  including one from the Group of Five, now have automatic bids. 

The SEC placed three teams in the 2024 field and could send four or more in 2025. Finebaum’s proposal seems like a foolish promotion, but could also become realistic. The SEC and Big Ten have talked about expanding the field to 16 teams or more in the coming years. 

But for now, it remains just another fiery spark in Finebaum's ongoing CFP discourse. Maybe he can take it to the floor of the Senate soon.

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