Paul Finebaum has a 'high level of confidence' in Alabama returning to College Football Playoff
Paul Finebaum has immense confidence in Nick Saban returning the Alabama Crimson Tide to their standard in 2023.
The SEC Network analyst joined McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning on Monday, where he elaborated on why he’s putting the Crimson Tide on a pedestal entering a new campaign.
“I feel pretty good,” explained Finebaum, speaking on his confidence level in Alabama entering the 2023 season. “… I’ve been feeling better about Alabama for months now. I just think that the biggest issue is quarterback, but once that can be settled, assuming it can, I think a lot of missing parts have been found through recruiting.”
While Finebaum relented there’s still question marks in Alabama’s quarterback room, the ESPN analyst believes the changes made among the Crimson Tide’s coaching staff, like bringing in Tommy Rees and Kevin Steele to run the offense and defense respectively, will go a long way to a return to form for Alabama.
“I’m extremely excited to see what the two new coordinators will bring, because I’ve argued in the past that some of the coaching has really got in Alabama’s way,” stated Finebaum. “Two years ago, I felt like [Doug] Marrone, the offensive line coach, was an issue. He was gone last year. Things really didn’t get any better, but that could’ve been blamed on the offensive coordinator, and I will spare you, the audience, my thoughts on Pete Golding. I know what the stats indicate, but I also know what my eyes saw.
“So I feel like with new coordinators, with Kevin Steele on the defensive side of the ball, there’s a high level of confidence for me that this team can make it to the Playoffs.”
Of course, Steele is replacing the aforementioned Golding, who left to join Lane Kiffin’s staff at Ole Miss, and Rees came from Notre Dame to replace Bill O’Brien, who’s now moved back to the NFL to take over the offense of the New England Patriots. Both former coordinators left without many tears from Alabama fans, as they’re excited for a new era with new coaches.
Still, Bryce Young is on to the NFL, so it’s up to either Jalen Milroe, Ty Simpson or Tyler Buchner to step up and run the show for the Crimson Tide at quarterback. That’ll be what makes or breaks the Crimson Tide, and they’ll be thrown into the fire early and often.
There’s plenty of factors, but Paul Finebaum’s confidence in Alabama remains unshaken. We’ll see if it’s warranted or not in a couple of weeks.