Paul Finebaum, the well-known college football analyst, recently pointed out a major mistake made by the College Football Playoff (CFP) Selection Committee. During a segment on his ESPN show, Finebaum argued that the committee’s decision to leave out a deserving team from the top four spots was a significant oversight. While the exact team he was referring to has sparked debate, Finebaum’s criticism centered on the committee’s inconsistency and bias toward certain conferences and teams.
Finebaum’s key critique was that the committee consistently placed more value on a team’s conference affiliation and “brand name” rather than the actual performance on the field. He noted that while some teams, particularly from Power Five conferences, may receive more favorable treatment, smaller programs or those from less high-profile conferences often face tougher scrutiny, even if their records were just as impressive.
He also highlighted the committee’s reliance on subjective criteria, such as “eye test” and historical performance, which, according to Finebaum, can lead to flawed decisions. Finebaum emphasized that the most significant mistake was the omission of a deserving team, one that perhaps had a better overall body of work or had won crucial games in a more convincing fashion.
The analyst called for more transparency in the committee’s decision-making process and argued that the selection criteria should prioritize results over reputations. Finebaum concluded that the CFP should evolve to ensure fairness, rewarding teams based on merit rather than name recognition, to avoid similar mistakes in future seasons. His comments reignited the ongoing debate about the College Football Playoff system, especially as the sport prepares for the upcoming expansion to 12 teams.