Longtime SEC analyst Paul Finebaum backs Big Ten in top conference debate

Paul Finebaum has been known by monikers such as "Voice of the SEC" or even the "King of the South" for his football commentary, largely on the SEC, ever since breaking into the industry as a columnist and reporter for the "Birmingham Post-Herald" in 1980.

Finebaum has been doing this for a long time, and he's always seemingly been an SEC guy. Over the years, he's boasted about the SEC's greatness. He's also never been shy to give a hot take or two.

That's why it's interesting to hear that "SEC Paul" is switching sides. In a recent conversation on ESPN's "Get Up", Heather Dinich asked if Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti was trying to "flex" on the rest of college football when he did his press conference at Big Ten Media Days standing next to three national championship trophies.

The Big Ten has won the last three titles thanks to CFP runs from the Michigan Wolverines, Ohio State Buckeyes and Indiana Hoosiers.

Finebaum was asked, point blank, which conference he believes is the best in college football today.

“The Big Ten,” Finebaum said without hesitation (h/t On3). “This is not about metrics and data and who has the best 12 through 18 or 16; it’s who wins the championships.”

Paul Finebaum backing Big Ten in Big Ten-SEC supremacy debate 

The argument for the SEC is the one longtime Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban has been making. Over the last 20 or so years, the SEC has been dominant, and that's what makes this Big Ten run stand out.

“I think the only reason people are talking about this is (the SEC) dominated for so long, and we were so good, everybody makes a big deal out of being able to beat us,” Saban said last week.

Surprisingly, Finebaum doesn't see it that way.

“When you can do what Heather just described, have three straight, and the fact that we all know by now the SEC hasn’t been there, the SEC can’t stand up and say we’re the best,” Finebaum added. “The SEC is not the best until it wins the title again.”

The SEC has to feel good about its chances in 2026. The Georgia Bulldogs, Texas Longhorns, Texas A&M Aggies and Ole Miss Rebels all look like legitimate title contenders, while the LSU Tigers, Crimson Tide, Oklahoma Sooners, Missouri Tigers, and Tennessee Volunteers will all be in CFP contention.