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Paul Finebaum Not Completely Buying Ohio State Heading Into Rose Bowl

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Gould | Last updated Dec 22, 2024 11:58 AM ET

Paul Finebaum isn't ready to plan Ohio State's championship parade after Saturday's dominant College Football Playoff win over Tennessee.

The Buckeyes completed a lopsided first round with a 42-17 victory over the Volunteers at The Shoe. Three weeks after a jarring home loss to Michigan, Ryan Day's team responded by jumping to a 21-0 lead and gaining 473 total yards. Ohio State advances to the Rose Bowl for a Big Ten rematch against Oregon on New Year's Day.

On Sunday's SportsCenter, Finebaum praised Ohio State for ignoring weeks of criticism from pundits such as himself.

"Credit to Ryan Day. He blocked it out as well. He did not let it get to him," Finebaum said. "The Michigan loss was nowhere to be found, and now they have a chance, again, to make a run."

After Saturday's statement win, Ohio State has the second-best odds (+360) of winning the national championship behind Texas (+310) on FanDuel Sportsbook. However, Finebaum said the Buckeyes still must prove they can maintain that play throughout the CFP.

"The biggest question I have for Ohio State is which one shows up?" Finebaum asked (h/t On3). "We know what happened last night. Will that same team make the move to Pasadena? And if they do, they have a very good chance of beating Oregon because they only lost by one the last time at Oregon.

"But I do have serious reservations. As great as that win was, can this team put two or three wins together in a row? That has been one of the issues for Ohio State all season long."

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 07: Paul Finebaum of the SEC Network before the SEC Championship game between the Georgia Bulldogs and the LSU Tigers on December 07, 2019, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA.(Photo by Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Rose Bowl victor will likely enter the semifinals as a popular pick to win it all. Yet Finebaum sold the premise that whoever wins the second-round showdown behind Ohio State and Oregon will capture the national title.

"Last night, Ohio State looked like maybe the best team in the country. They've always been the most talented team -- they were well paid for. But I'm still not sure they can be consistent," Finebaum said.

"On the other hand, Oregon is extremely good. They haven't lost a single game, but I'm out. I think there's a school out there named Georgia that will be waiting for them."

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

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