In the lead up to the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff, few championed Alabama’s case for making the field more than Paul Finebaum.
And that left the ESPN personality with egg on his face following the Crimson Tide’s embarrassing loss to Michigan in the ReliaQuest Bowl on Tuesday.
Despite entering the matchup favored by more than two touchdowns, Alabama quickly found itself down 16-0 to the Wolverines before ultimately losing the contest 19-13. What’s more is that Michigan had several key players opt out of the game, while all of the Crimson Tide’s outgoing NFL Draft prospects — including quarterback Jalen Milroe — played in it.
While one could argue whether what happened in Alabama’s ensuing bowl game actually serves as evidence that the College Football Playoff got it right in leaving the Crimson Tide out of its 12-team field, perception is reality. As such, Finebaum knew he’d have to take the L, doing so during an appearance on ESPN’s Get Up on Wednesday morning.
“Greeny, I led the Alabama parade to get them into the playoffs. You know that,” Finebaum told Mike Greenberg. “I stood on every building, especially on this show. And on the first day of the new year, I’m surrendering. I’m waving the white flag.”
The host of The Paul Finebaum Show proceeded to pull out an actual white flag — or at least a white hotel towel — and literally waived it.
“Forget Alabama!” Finebaum said, tossing the towel. “Count me out.”
All former Crimson Tide quarterback Greg McElroy — who was also a part of the segment — could do was shake his head.
Paul Finebaum: “I led the Alabama parade to get them into the playoffs… on the first day of the new year, I’m surrendering. I am waiving the white flag. Forget Alabama!” pic.twitter.com/FfKCTlgcFd
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 1, 2025
While many have taken issue with Finebaum’s pro-SEC bias over the years, give him credit for being willing to admit when he gets something wrong. It’s certainly more than you can say about some of his other ESPN colleagues when it comes to their takes regarding this season’s College Football Playoff.