ESPN and SEC Network analyst Paul Finebaum says he's tired of the bells and whistles leading up to the national championship game between the Indiana Hoosiers and Miami Hurricanes Monday night.
When the game officially kicks off, as Indiana tries for its first national title and the completion of an undefeated season, while the Hurricanes try to regain ground as the ACC's best team (despite not winning the league title), it's business as usual for all involved.
Finebaum sees that, but also understands the NFL still remains king, as four teams will become two by the end of the weekend, with a college football title game still to be played.
“It will be a cute story, and it will get some attention on Tuesday morning map, but it really won’t get that much," Finebaum said on "The Matt Barrie Show." "It’s all about what’s next in the NFC, AFC Championship games.”
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Sticking strictly to the gridiron, though, Finebaum said in a recent "SportsCenter" hit, there is reason to suggest the Hoosiers are one of the best single-season teams ever should they go unbeaten.
“They have a chance to be among the very best, and a week from today, we may declare them that,” Finebaum said. “There are a couple of teams that come to mind when thinking about supreme. And I said it in 2019, I said it again the very next year, the LSU team with Joe Burrow was one of the most explosive, one of the most exciting teams I have ever seen."
Finebaum said he knew he was watching history with LSU in real time, and potentially sees the same story with the Hoosiers.
"There were three Heisman finalists playing for Alabama that year," Finebaum said of LSU's iconic 2019 game vs. Alabama. "Of course, it was spectacular to watch. That was DeVonta Smith, so they could get there next week with a blowout of Miami.”
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We'll see if the Hoosiers can possibly overtake the NFL spotlight with a win Monday night. Even if they can't, it's still a great weekend of football to be excited about.
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