Following Alabama’s 19-13 loss to Michigan in the ReliaQuest Bowl, ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum, a prominent advocate for Alabama’s inclusion in the College Football Playoff (CFP), expressed a change of heart. Finebaum had previously argued that Alabama’s strength and pedigree warranted a CFP spot despite their 9-3 record.
The defeat to Michigan, a team with an 8-5 record, marked Alabama’s fourth loss of the season, concluding their campaign at 9-4. This outcome ended Alabama’s 16-year streak of winning 10 or more games per season.
In light of this performance, Finebaum conceded that his earlier stance might have been misplaced, acknowledging that Alabama’s play did not support the argument for their inclusion in the CFP.
For a more in-depth analysis, you can watch Finebaum’s reaction here: