Paul Finebaum claims Alabama's performance vs. Florida State 'doesn't really matter anymore'

Paul Finebaum is ready to throw the Alabama opener against Florida State into the trash now that we pivot to Week 3. The Crimson Tide stomped Louisiana-Monroe 73-0 in Week 2 to get the feel good vibes back in Tuscaloosa.

With Wisconsin on deck, Alabama is heavily favored again. While it should be a win, Finebaum argued the season could be made or broken with the Georgia game just around the corner.

So despite losing to Florida State, even though it’s stuck in the craw of Alabama fans, the Crimson Tide can quickly change the narrative.

“(The Georgia game) corrects everything one way or the other. I thought the LA-Monroe game for an off brand game, did Alabama a lot of good,” Finebaum said on Always College Football. “It just gave reason to believe again. And sometimes fan bases need that. I felt like the Alabama fan base has come back a long way in one week. It can ying and yang very often. 

“And I think this is a game that nobody is looking at like what we would have maybe with Ron Dayne, you know, running in the backfield for Wisconsin, but I do think it will matter because it’s a Big Ten game. So I expect Alabama to play well … For me, I can’t understand the performance in the first week (but it) doesn’t really matter anymore.”

Kalen DeBoer, Alabama focused on Wisconsin coming up

Despite being favored by 20.5 points, per BetMGM, DeBoer isn’t overlooking any opponent. Especially Wisconsin, the one right in front of them.

“They do what they do, and they got to do it with great technique and always,” DeBoer said. “Balanced offense, I think, with the run game setting up the play action and the shots, try and get your free-access throws and get the ball up to receivers when you have to load the box. There’s some great fundamental things that they do.

“And we have to match the physicality with great effort. Do a great job of getting ball carriers down, getting them into situations, I think, is the name of the game, putting teams in down and distances that they don’t want to be in, make them uncomfortable. And you can pin your ears back and get to the quarterback.”