For those who thought the teams in the College Football Playoff were only playing to win a national championship, understand that something else critically important is at stake.
Conference pride.
While coaches and players may not discuss it much, the “Our conference is better than your conference” sub-theme of the CFP has loomed large for fans and reporters who cover the various conferences.
Paul Finebaum drove that point home Friday during an appearance on SportsCenter. Finebaum is the face of the SEC Network and is well-known for his longtime coverage of that powerhouse football conference. He told SC host Christine Williamson that if Penn State and Ohio State meet in an all-Big Ten College Football Playoff title game, it would be a real blow to the SEC.
“Let’s say if Penn State beats Notre Dame and Ohio State beats Texas, the lone SEC team, we’re talking about an all-Big 10 final,” Finebaum said. “We’ve had three all-SEC finals since 2011.
“Alabama playing a big role in those, but this would really completely change the paradigm of college football that that has been all about the SEC, particularly when [Nick] Saban was at Alabama and then [Georgia head coach] Kirby Smart going for a three-peat last year. Imagine if it’s two Big 10 teams and the Big 10 is ruling the world.”
Paul Finebaum on a potential All-Big Ten national title game: “This would really completely change the paradigm of college football… if it’s two Big Ten teams and the Big Ten is ruling the world. I’m not sure what we’re gonna do down here in SEC country but hang our heads.”… pic.twitter.com/zd4QwpPGs3
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 3, 2025
It would be easy to dismiss Finebaum’s “change the paradigm” comment as hyperbole, but just look at the bickering and debating that erupted after the CFP field was announced. SEC supporters and many media personalities claimed Alabama deserved a spot despite three losses, citing the SEC’s overall strength.
Finebaum and SEC Network colleagues Peter Burns and Jordan Rodgers all pointed to SMU’s poor performance against Penn State in the CFP opening round as further proof Alabama should have gotten the nod over the Mustangs. Of course, after a shorthanded Michigan beat Alabama in the ReliaQuest Bowl, critics snapped back at the SEC/Alabama supporters.
Many fans and media have long accused ESPN of being biased toward SEC teams, so they saw it ironic that Finebaum admitted on SportsCenter that an all-Big Ten title game would be a bad day for the SEC.
“I’m not sure what we’re going to do down here at SEC country, Christine, but hang our head,” Finebaum told Williamson.
“I was going to ask you that exact question,” Williamson said. “The SEC … just means a little less this season.”
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