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Radio and ESPN television personality Paul Finebaum. Ken Ruinard / staff, The Greenville News via Imagn Content Services, LLC

Paul Finebaum says this conference is in 'driver's seat' to win national title

By Colby Colwell | Last updated Sep 30, 2025 4:48 PM ET

Since the College Football Playoff was introduced for the 2014 season, the SEC has won six of 11 titles, including four consecutive from 2019 to 2022.

Since then, the Big Ten has been at the top, with Michigan (2023) and Ohio State (2024) standing out, picking up wins over the SEC along the way. The Wolverines defeated Alabama in the semifinal on their way to a championship, and Ohio State took down Tennessee and Texas in the first 12-team playoff en route to winning its second national title of the CFP era (2014).

During an appearance on ESPN's "Get Up" on Tuesday, college football contributor and television and radio personality Paul Finebaum was asked if he is buying the Big Ten winning another national championship instead of an SEC team.

Paul Finebaum gives the Big Ten its due for now, but says it is still early

"Yes, I think if you're honest about college football, and I try to be very honest here even if it hurts, the Big Ten is in the "driver's seat" right now," Finebaum said. "There's no getting around it. The SEC is a mix and a mess. You're trying to decide if Ole Miss or Alabama are the best teams right now and they both have their faults. Texas, we'll find out more about. But, as of this moment, those numbers are indicative of where we are. The good news for the SEC, it's late September."

.@finebaum says the Big 10 is in the "driver's seat" when it comes to the CFP pic.twitter.com/lOMDpOHrCY
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) September 30, 2025

As the host of the "Paul Finebaum Show" on the SEC Network and a Tennessee alum, Finebaum has an affinity for the conference, so his comments speak volumes. The numbers he is referring to, though, don't lie.

According to FanDuel, Ohio State (+500) and Oregon (+550) have the best odds to win the national title right now, with Penn State (+900) putting three Big Ten teams in the top five. The SEC is in the mix, though, with Texas (+750) and Alabama (+800) splitting up the Big Ten programs and Georgia (+1000) close behind.

It's still hard to ignore the body of work from the top two teams in the country, Ohio State and Oregon. The Buckeyes took down then-No. 1 Texas, 14-7, in Week 1 and held QB Arch Manning to 5.7 yards per attempt in the first game of what has been an underwhelming season up to this point for the signal-caller.

The Ducks just went into State College and handed Penn State its first loss of the season. Led by efficient play from QB Dante Moore (14 TDs, one interception) and a strong rushing attack with four players — Moore included — over 100 yards on the ground, a home game against No. 8 Indiana on Oct. 11 is Oregon's only ranked opponent left on its schedule, leaving a favorable path to the CFP.

Don't count the SEC out yet

For a while, the SEC reigned supreme and was at another level, whether it was Nick Saban's six titles with Alabama, Kirby Smart's back-to-back triumphs with Georgia (2021-22) or LSU's breakthrough in 2019. Although the conference has taken a backseat in the last two years, don't count it out.

Five of the top 10 teams reside in the SEC, with No. 4 Ole Miss and No. 5 Oklahoma leading the way. Texas A&M remains undefeated, while Alabama quietly lurks at No. 10 after a key road win at Georgia, which has now dropped to 12th.

The Big Ten is in a good spot for now, but anything is possible with so much football left to be played.

Colby Colwell

Colby Colwell is a freelance contributor with a bachelor’s in Computer & Information Technology and a minor in Psychology from Western Kentucky University. With a deep passion for sports, especially NASCAR, he offers his substantial knowledge along with his adept writing skills. When he’s not writing, Colby enjoys traveling, cooking, and spending time with his family

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