Sunday, following the unveiling of the 12-team college football playoff pairings, which would not include the Alabama Crimson Tide, SEC Network and syndicated radio talker Paul Finebaum called the Tide's omission "the wrong decision."
According to Finebaum, Alabama was the victim of a combination of factors that led the playoff selection committee to opt for SMU over Alabama.
"I think it was the wrong decision. Dari [Nowkhah], but you could see it coming," he said. "And anyone watching the ACC game last night could just imagine being in a committee room — good people, all lovers of the game, and that SMU comeback got to them. I think it overwhelmed them. And then, when they lost the game, they said to themselves, 'We can't leave this team out.' By saying that, they completely forgot what they had said on the previous Tuesday night when Alabama's resume blew not only Miami's away, but literally everyone else is in contention. And that would include SMU. But we don't need to litigate that. I think another thing that happened is that there was such an overreaction a year ago, Dari, to what happened with Florida State when Alabama got in after beating the number one team in the country that they didn't want that."
Finebaum continued, "I think the most important factor was that this committee did not want to be the one who blew up conference championship games because those are valuable. I mean, we all experienced it recently in Atlanta. It's a big moneymaker. It's a celebration. And by saying that the ACC game didn't matter, that SMU was penalized for going — I think they would have sent a serious message that these games need to go away. I mean, there's that conversation anyway. But ultimately, I think all these factors played into it. It shouldn't have happened. But then again, the argument about South Carolina and Ole Miss is just as legitimate. I also think they said, you know what? All three SEC teams are worthy, probably more worthy than SMU. But if we take one, we need to take them all. And we only have room for one."
Jeff Poor is the editor in chief of 1819 News and host of "The Jeff Poor Show," heard Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-noon on Mobile's FM Talk 106.5. To connect or comment, email jeff.poor@1819News.com or follow him on Twitter @jeff_poor.
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