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ESPN's Paul Finebaum Takes Back What He Said About Alabama

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Gould | Last updated Jan 1, 2025 9:37 AM ET

Paul Finebaum began 2025 much like he spent 2024 by changing his mind on Alabama.

The ESPN analyst joked that Kalen DeBoer already looked better than Nick Saban after Alabama defeated Georgia early in the regular season. Finebaum later brought out the pitchforks alongside many Crimson Tide fans when they got upset by Vanderbilt and Oklahoma during a roller-coaster season.

Despite Alabama's 9-3 record, Finebaum was one of ESPN's prominent voices who felt the SEC powerhouse deserved a College Football Playoff spot over 11-2 SMU. However, he appears to have relented following Tuesday's ugly ReliaQuest Bowl showing.

Jalen Milroe relinquished three turnovers in the first four drives of a 19-13 loss to Michigan. It's hard to imagine anyone finishing the New Year's Eve game upset that they couldn't watch that Alabama team compete for a national championship.

Finebaum started the year by waving a white towel on Wednesday's Get Up.

"I am surrendering," Finebaum declared. "I am waving the white flag on Alabama."

“I am surrendering. I am waving the white flag on Alabama.”

- Paul Finebaum on “Get Up” pic.twitter.com/xeiTpAKJz5
— Claudia (@TexasEx10) January 1, 2025

Finebaum called DeBoer's first season in Tuscaloosa a "mess" and claimed Alabama fans are angry with the head coach. He believes DeBoer will face "a great deal of pressure" during the 2025 season.

"A lot of the good that he did early in the season went out the window," Finebaum said. "People will talk about, 'Is he in trouble?' He's not in trouble for his job, but let me make it clear: The goodwill is gone for him. He enters a very critical season next year because I firmly believe he's on a scorching hot seat."

Last month, Finebaum said the CFP selection committee made "the right call" to move Alabama ahead of Miami in the penultimate rankings. He felt the Crimson Tide deserved a Playoff spot because of big wins over Georgia, South Carolina, and Missouri.

However, Alabama narrowly missed a ticket to the 12-team field after Clemson defeated SMU for the ACC title. Finebaum said the committee "completely blew it" by giving SMU an at-large bid over Alabama.

"Alabama got jobbed," Finebaum said after the CFP rankings reveal. "But again, Alabama did it to themselves."

Not even Finebaum can feel bad for the Crimson Tide after watching them fall to a five-loss Michigan team as a 16.5-point favorite.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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