Latest news with #Finebaum
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
ESPN analyst has words for SMU Football's playoff credibility
ESPN analyst has words for SMU Football's playoff credibility originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Leave it to Paul Finebaum to stir the pot before the first snap of the college football season. The ESPN analyst, never one to mince words, took aim at SMU football during a recent segment of The Paul Finebaum Show, dismissing the Mustangs' 2024 College Football Playoff berth as unearned. 'Last year, SMU got a third-place ribbon. They had no business being in the CFP,' Finebaum said bluntly. Advertisement The comment has sparked major backlash among Mustangs fans and college football insiders, especially given SMU's standout first year in the ACC. The Mustangs went 11-3, won the ACC Coastal Division, and went undefeated in regular-season conference play before narrowly falling to Clemson 30-27 in the ACC title game. Southern Methodist Mustangs head coach Rhett Lashlee leads his team to the field before the 2024 ACC Championship game against the Clemson Tigers at Bank of America Stadium. :Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images Created: Despite the loss, SMU secured a spot in the expanded 12-team CFP. While their postseason ended with a 38-10 loss to No. 6 Penn State, the selection committee deemed their resume strong enough, especially in a year filled with parity across the Power Four. Finebaum's critique raises a larger question: what does it really take for programs outside the traditional elite to be respected? Advertisement With a 2025 slate that includes matchups against Clemson, Louisville, and Miami, and a non-conference gauntlet featuring Baylor and TCU, SMU has a chance to prove last season wasn't a fluke. The Mustangs aren't just playing for wins this fall, they're playing for national credibility. And thanks to Finebaum, they've got bulletin board material before Week 1. If Finebaum wanted to wake a sleeping giant in Dallas, he may have just succeeded. Related: SMU Football Makes Underrated Hire After Playoff Season Related: SMU Football Faces Backlash After Team GPA Under Rhett Lashlee Surfaces This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
09-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Paul Finebaum names national championship favorite
Paul Finebaum names national championship favorite SEC college football analyst Paul Finebaum has a clear favorite for the national championship. In an interview with Mike Greenberg on ESPN's show "Get Up", Finebaum agreed that the Texas Longhorns should be the favorites to win the 2025-26 national championship. The first reason Finebaum laid out was the Longhorns' burgeoning junior quarterback. "They have Arch Manning," said Finebaum. "He's expected to be better than Quinn Ewers, and if he'd come in in the Cotton Bowl vs. Ohio State, they may have won that game." Georgia was close to landing Arch Manning, but unfortunately, they lost out to Texas at the very end. Now, Georgia will potentially have to face Arch Manning twice in 2025. The Bulldogs host Texas in Athens, Georgia, this November. The teams could meet again in the SEC championship. Finebaum also cited the transfer portal acquisitions and the easy schedule. "They reloaded in the portal to the tune of many millions of dollars, and I think Texas, other than having to go to Ohio State Week 1, Texas is in good shape," Finebaum continued. Texas had the nation's No. 1 recruiting class and No. 25 transfer class. The Longhorns rebuilt their defensive line through the transfer portal, landing Maraad Watson, Travis Shaw, and Cole Brevard. However, the Longhorns have yet to beat Georgia while in the SEC. Georgia handed Texas two of its three losses in the 2024-25 season, including the SEC championship. The two teams will square off in Week 12 for what could be a de facto SEC championship.
USA Today
30-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Paul Finebaum shares blunt opinion on former Texas QB1 Quinn Ewers
Paul Finebaum shares blunt opinion on former Texas QB1 Quinn Ewers Did Quinn Ewers impress anyone? Paul Finebaum doesn't think so. ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum did not mince words when discussing former Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers, saying the signal-caller failed to impress during his final season in Austin and predicting the program will see a significant upgrade under new starter Arch Manning. 'The guy that was there last year didn't impress me,' Finebaum said during his show Wednesday. 'He didn't impress anyone' Ewers, who was once one of college football's most high-profile athletes and appeared on the cover of 'EA Sports College Football 25,' completed 65.8 percent of his passes for 3,472 yards, 31 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 14 games last season. However, the Longhorns fell short of a national championship, and Ewers' struggles in big moments — including a costly fumble in the Cotton Bowl loss to Ohio State — drew increased scrutiny. His underwhelming finish led to a slide in the 2025 NFL Draft, where he was selected in the seventh round. Finebaum's guest, Cedric Golden of the Austin American-Statesman, offered high praise for Manning, calling him potentially the best Texas quarterback since Colt McCoy. 'I think he's going to be the best quarterback at Texas since Colt McCoy,' Golden said. 'And Colt McCoy had a hell of a career at Texas, those numbers don't lie. So, I do think he's the next great quarterback at Texas after VY (Vince Young) and Colt." The transition from Ewers to Manning has fueled debate among fans and analysts, with Finebaum questioning head coach Steve Sarkisian's decision to stick with Ewers during the Cotton Bowl. 'There is nothing finer than Arch Manning starting at Texas. It's long overdue,' Finebaum said on ESPN College Football. As the Arch Manning era begins, comparisons between the two quarterbacks are expected to continue, with the Longhorns and their fans hoping Manning can deliver where Ewers fell short.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Kirby Smart fires back at Paul Finebaum over Gunner Stockton comments
SEC college football expert Paul Finebaum has expressed significant concern about Gunner Stockton being Georgia's starting quarterback for the upcoming college football season. "I'd say that's a big not fine.", said Finebaum about Gunner Stockton serving as Georgia's starting quarterback during a "Fine/Not Fine" segment on ESPN's SportsCenter. "I know the team coalesced around him after the SEC championship game, but I was underwhelmed by what I saw from Gunner Stockton in the Sugar Bowl loss to Notre Dame." Advertisement In the Sugar Bowl against Notre Dame, Stockton, making his first career start, completed 20 of 32 passes for 234 yards and one touchdown. Georgia lost the game 23-10, struggling on offense with two fumbles and failing to convert any of their three fourth-down attempts. Kirby Smart later joined addressed Finebaum's show and discussed his comments directly. "I didn't miss it," said Smart when asked about Finebaum's comments. "Yeah, I'm excited. Gunner (Stockton) got the message, man." Smart implies that Finebaum's comments will serve as motivation for Stockton, who is projected to be Georgia's starting quarterback in 2025. While Smart has not officially named Stockton the starter, all signs point to him taking the role, especially given his experience in the system compared to other UGA quarterbacks like Ryan Puglisi. "I feel like at this point in your career, you need a little bit of help from me," said Finebaum. "To get you to the first game and over the finish line." Smart's comments with Paul Finebaum "I am glad you did!" said Smart. "That's why I always come on your show because I love the fact that you give me all that motivation." This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: Kirby Smart responds as Paul Finebaum calls Gunner Stockton 'not fine'
USA Today
28-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Kirby Smart fires back at Paul Finebaum over Gunner Stockton comments
AI-assisted summary Paul Finebaum expressed concern over Gunner Stockton's ability to lead Georgia as starting quarterback. Finebaum cited Stockton's underwhelming performance in the Sugar Bowl loss to Notre Dame. Georgia coach Kirby Smart acknowledged Finebaum's comments and suggested they would motivate Stockton. SEC college football expert Paul Finebaum has expressed significant concern about Gunner Stockton being Georgia's starting quarterback for the upcoming college football season. "I'd say that's a big not fine.", said Finebaum about Gunner Stockton serving as Georgia's starting quarterback during a "Fine/Not Fine" segment on ESPN's SportsCenter. "I know the team coalesced around him after the SEC championship game, but I was underwhelmed by what I saw from Gunner Stockton in the Sugar Bowl loss to Notre Dame." In the Sugar Bowl against Notre Dame, Stockton, making his first career start, completed 20 of 32 passes for 234 yards and one touchdown. Georgia lost the game 23-10, struggling on offense with two fumbles and failing to convert any of their three fourth-down attempts. Kirby Smart later joined addressed Finebaum's show and discussed his comments directly. "I didn't miss it," said Smart when asked about Finebaum's comments. "Yeah, I'm excited. Gunner (Stockton) got the message, man." Smart implies that Finebaum's comments will serve as motivation for Stockton, who is projected to be Georgia's starting quarterback in 2025. While Smart has not officially named Stockton the starter, all signs point to him taking the role, especially given his experience in the system compared to other UGA quarterbacks like Ryan Puglisi. Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle "I feel like at this point in your career, you need a little bit of help from me," said Finebaum. "To get you to the first game and over the finish line." Smart's comments with Paul Finebaum "I am glad you did!" said Smart. "That's why I always come on your show because I love the fact that you give me all that motivation."
