Paul Finebaum: Loser of Alabama-Tennessee rivalry game 'in really big trouble' for College Football Playoff

SEC rivalries always come with high stakes and bragging rights. But with the expansion of the College Football Playoff to 12 teams, the implications are even higher when two top-ranked teams from the conference face off. Like when No. 7 Alabama takes a trip to Knoxville to take on No. 11 Tennessee this weekend.

College football analyst Paul Finebaum joined ESPN’s Get Up on Friday morning to discuss this weekend’s matchup. Highlighting how significant of a loss Saturday’s game will be for whoever winds up on the losing end of the Third Saturday in October.

“Well I think the loser of this game is in really big trouble,” Finebaum said to host Mike Greenberg. “Let’s say Tennessee loses Greeny, they don’t have an impressive win any longer. Because they beat Oklahoma, that doesn’t amount to anything, NC State. They have nothing on their resume, so they’ll be in trouble. They also have a game at Georgia in November, which I cannot imagine them winning.”

The Volunteers were dominant to start the season, but haven’t been quite as commanding since they opened up their SEC schedule. Falling to Arkansas in an upset loss along with the two ranked opponents they defeated now sitting outside of the Top 25.

“Alabama’s in a little better shape with a loss,” Finebaum said. “They go to LSU, where Brian Kelly has not lost a home game. So the loser of this game is in trouble. I think that’s putting it succinctly.”

Similar to Tennessee, Alabama also hasn’t looked quite the same since the second half of their big win against Georgia. Showing some flaws, particularly on the defensive side of the ball highlighted by their respective upset loss to Vanderbilt. As Tennessee represents one of three straight ranked opponents the Crimson Tide face and a game that their fan base would not react too kindly to in a defeat.

“Terribly,” Finebaum said. “Greeny, I was in Alabama for two days this week and Bama fans are already beside themselves. They’re not calling him Kalen DeBoer, they’re stopping me at the airport saying, ‘What’s with this guy?’ I mean there’s a serious bail out on the new guy, who just a couple weeks ago, was on top of the world.”

The winner of Saturday’s game will breathe a sigh of relief while the loser will question their chances of making the College Football Playoff after suffering a second loss. A high stakes situation that kicks off at 3:30 p.m. ET in a game airing on ABC and streaming on Fubo.