When SEC analyst Paul Finebaum speaks, college football fans across the South listen, whether they want to admit to it or not.
Over the last two seasons, Finebaum has been one of the more outspoken critics of Kalen DeBoer since he has taken over at Alabama. So now, when he has a more optimistic outlook in terms of things to say about Alabama, it feels rather notable.
During a recent appearance this week on ‘McElroy & Cubelic,’ Finebaum revealed a hidden reason not many have talked about with the Tide going into this season and why it could lead to success, and it has to do with the schedule.
“I’ll say it again, I’ll be saying this until proven wrong,” Finebaum began. “I think Alabama got a very manageable schedule, could have been so much worse. I think you have some tricky moments in that schedule and a couple of teams that could be better than we think, which could cause Alabama problems. You know, whether it is Kentucky or South Carolina?”
While the Tide does have a brutal midseason stretch that sees consecutive games against Georgia, Tennessee, Texas A&M and LSU, Finebaum correctly pointed out a fairly easy start combined with the fact that it could be a solid year to have to travel to Knoxville.
“But I think, getting Tennessee on the road this year, you can’t get Tennessee on the road in a better year than this when that program is really going through somewhat of a transition,” he continued. “They all are hard in the SEC, but theirs does seem like there’s a path they can navigate it somewhat.”
If Finebaum proves correct and DeBoer is able to navigate the schedule and get Alabama back into the playoff, it would go a long way towards convincing some fans that still have not bought in that he is indeed the best man for the job.
