Paul Finebaum explains why an all-SEC championship is bad for college football

ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum didn’t mince words when he was asked about an all-SEC national championship. It was quite a take, too.

Finebaum argues the matchup between No. 1 Alabama and No. 3 Georgia is bad for the game. He explained his reasoning on Friday’s edition of “First Take” on ESPN.

“I don’t think it is good for college football,” Finebaum said. “I think outside of Georgia and Alabama, which border each other, this game is kind of a yawn if you’re in LA or New York or Chicago. Because it’s a regional game, it’s a game we’ve already seen, and the problem with college football is it needs to be broader. And until the college football playoff is expanded, it won’t be.”

It’s a rematch of last month’s SEC Championship when Alabama cruised to a 41-24 win over Georgia. Kickoff is coming up from Indianapolis Monday at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Paul Finebaum makes historic prediction on Nick Saban, Alabama

Nick Saban is 70 years old. As he and Alabama get ready for the national championship — and as people might wonder how much he has left in the tank — ESPN personality Paul Finebaum made a bold prediction.

During Friday’s edition of “First Take” on ESPN, Finebaum talked about how Saban and Alabama can keep things rolling. The Crimson Tide are coming off a national championship last year and have a chance at repeating for the first time since 2011-12.

Finebaum thinks a lot comes down to how things go on Monday. However, if Alabama comes out on top, watch out.

“I thought three years ago when he lost by 28 to Clemson that maybe things were starting to tighten for his future, but he has shattered that myth right now,” Finebaum said. “He won last year in a COVID year, he could win this year. He’s 70 years old and only Bobby Bowden has won a national championship at that age.

“If Saban wins Monday night, I think he has 2-3 more (championships) in him. And why not? A lot of people are saying, ‘Why don’t you walk away?’ Well, why would you walk away when you have Bryce Young coming back? He’s the best player in college football.”

Then, Finebaum doubled down. Saban has the Heisman Trophy winner under center in Bryce Young and other impressive playmakers on both sides of the ball. Who’s to say Alabama can’t run it back again next year?

“I think the window is wide open for him to keep piling on,” Finebaum said. “And he’s not only the best coach in college football history. We’re beginning to think about him as the greatest coach in any sport if he wins again Monday night.”