Paul Finebaum Names Major College Football Program on the ‘Cut Line’ of the Playoff
The 2024 college football season did not meet the expectations of many fans, making the 2025 season a crucial opportunity for teams to turn things around.
One of those teams is the Alabama Crimson Tide. In Kalen DeBoer’s first year as head coach, the Crimson Tide recorded a disappointing 9-4 record, marking their worst season since 2007. Despite their struggles, Alabama narrowly missed qualifying for the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff, finishing as the first team left out of the playoff field.
Given Alabama’s dominance in college football over the last two decades, fans are understandably anxious following this disappointing season. ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum shared this sentiment on his show, “The Paul Finebaum Show,” suggesting that things could take a turn for the worse if the issues aren’t addressed.
“I think next year is critical,” Finebaum said. “This upcoming year, I should say. I believe it’s important for Alabama to have a big year. Otherwise, I think it could get a little bit sideways. I think they’re good enough. Last year, I really felt like they were a playoff team going into the year. This year, I feel like they are on the playoff cut line. Which means it will come down to maybe one game that could very well determine if they make it or not.”
The Crimson Tide may find themselves in unfamiliar territory if they fail to make the playoff next year. Since 2014, Alabama has only missed the playoffs three times and never in consecutive seasons. After not making the playoff in 2019, the Crimson Tide rebounded by winning the national championship in 2020. They did not qualify for the playoff in 2022 but made a comeback in 2023, reaching the playoff before losing in overtime to the eventual national champion, the Michigan Wolverines.
History suggests that Alabama will return to the playoff next season and could make an impact once there. However, Saban is no longer on the sidelines.
