Paul Finebaum discusses the Big 10's next 'chess move' in conference realignment, how the SEC could respond

College football analyst Paul Finebaum sees conference realignment as a battle between the SEC and Big Ten. As the two become super conferences and their media deals grow larger, they’re looking to match one another’s moves.

During an appearance on Get Up, Finebaum explained that the Big Ten is looking to make a chess move for the SEC to respond to.

“Well, I think the Big Ten is trying to make another chess move. Remember, the SEC moved first. They reacted with UCLA and USC. And, if the Big Ten were to make this move, and it would be surprising if they go to four there’s talk of California and Stanford as well, that, in my estimation, would force the SEC at some point to make a move.”

The SEC added Texas and Oklahoma to get to 16 teams. Shortly after that, the Big Ten and UCLA and USC. Since then, both conferences have tried to be coy about further expansion, but rumors are swirling and Finebaum expects chaos to continue.

“Because what you have right now are two super conferences in the Big Ten and the SEC. It’s Coke and Pepsi and when one moves the other one reacts, and that’s exactly where we are right now in college football. Chaos would be an understatement.”

Heather Dinich, a college football reporter for ESPN, emphasized that expansion could be coming to the Big Ten once again.

“That all depends on what happens in the Pac-12. It’s impossible to untangle these conversations because, yes, there are conversations happening between Big Ten university presidents and Oregon and Washington,” Dinich said.

“But, that is essentially in case the Pac-12 falls apart, which could happen in the next 24-48 hours. This is wild, guys. I mean, the Big 12 is certainly putting pressure on those Pac-12 schools. George Kliavkoff has to get this TV deal done and sold to the university presidents to keep this league intact.”

Paul Finebaum on Oregon and Washington’s future

Two of the most interesting Pac-12 teams that could be on the move are Oregon and Washington. Recently, Paul Finebaum recently said the Big Ten should see better opportunities than those two programs.

“It seems like a stretch Greg and let me go back to the bigger kind of question for a second,” Finebaum said. “I do not believe the Big Ten will look toward Oregon and Washington. And I don’t believe they’ll do it for this reason: I think the Big Ten sees better opportunities elsewhere.