Paul Finebaum Believes Big 12 and ACC Should ‘Try To Get Along’ with Big Ten, SEC

ESPN’s Paul Finebaum has never been particularly popular among Big 12 and ACC fans, and his recent comments about the College Football Playoff won’t likely improve his standing.

When asked on the Always College Football podcast what he would do if he were ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips or Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark, Finebaum defaulted back to his pro-SEC schtick.

“They’re both really smart people,” Finebaum said. “I know one of them extremely well and like them, and I’m just saying that because what I’m about to say may sound crass and cruel. But, I would get along and try to make sure you get exactly what you laid out (in the CFP). “They don’t have a lot of leverage. I don’t mean to sound like the president trying to make a deal, but that’s exactly what we’re doing here. We’re making a deal and, quite frankly, they’re getting more than they probably deserve.”

The two options being discussed recently include a “5+11” model with autobids for conference champions and another model that features four automatic qualifiers for the SEC and Big Ten, while the Big 12 and ACC each field two.

Needless to say, Greg Sankey continues to try and rig the deck in favor of the SEC, a league that’s been crushed over the past few weeks for their role in the destruction of college football.

“Quite frankly, if they get a couple of (automatic qualifiers), that’s probably more than they deserve,” Finebaum continued. “I know I’m lighting the torch that we had going on last December but, I mean, it was a frustrating couple of days talking to every commissioner and football coaches at the best league in this country and, at a high point, try to act like we have to make sure that SMU gets an equal opportunity. Well, that’s not what this is all about anymore.”

Lastly, to make matters worse, Finebaum leaned into Greg Sankey’s fake narrative about the Big 12 and ACC pushing out coordinated attacks about the good of the game, saying, “Get a piece, try to get along, don’t try to tick off everybody by playing good of the game, nonsensical coordinated statements and make sure you represent your league as best you can. That’s all they can do.”

Related: Why is the SEC This Way?