Paul Finebaum identifies Texas as team to beat in SEC outside of Georgia

Paul Finebaum is pretty high on Texas going into the 2024 season and called the Longhorns the team to beat outside of favored Georgia.

The Bulldogs, who can win their third national title in four years, bring back, arguably, the best team in college football. But Texas isn’t too far behind per the ESPN commentator.

Getting a taste of championship success last year could propel Texas in the SEC, the team’s first year in the conference.

“I’m really high on Texas and I think it’s because of getting (to the CFP) last year and experiencing that run,” Finebaum said on McElroy and Cubelic. “I think when you have a quarterback room that’s solid and as great as they do, it really makes things a lot easier. And they have so many other compliments around and they have a coaching staff that has some experience.

The easy answer to battle Georgia would be Alabama, in Finebaum’s mind.

“I know a lot of people in the SEC when I say that go: ‘What about Alabama,’” Finebaum said. “And I think if there had not been a coaching change at Alabama I would be more likely to include Alabama as the next team but I think coaching changes do take their toll, especially when you saw some of the players that left as we saw in January, go elsewhere. 

“So I think the next rung it’s I think it’s those two and then there’s quite a group and I think the question is who in that next four or five or six (and) can break through and everybody wants to point me toward Ole Miss. I understand that. I still believe Alabama is very close to that top rung and so are a couple of other schools.”

Now, this ceiling is certainly movable for Texas. But On3’s Andy Staples thinks this team in 2024 will make a big run based on its regular season schedule.

The ceiling is winning it all of course, but that would include at least getting to the conference title game. The 12-team playoff certainly provides more opportunity.

“We don’t have to beat around the bush here. The ceiling for Texas is a national title, they should expect to make the playoffs, they should expect to play for the SEC championship,” Staples said. “Is the schedule super easy? Not super easy, but I’d say they got a pretty good draw … So this is a good spot for Texas to be in because this roster, is this the best roster in the SEC? It’s them or Georgia probably.”