ESPN's Finebaum not sold Clemson makes rematch with Alabama |
We know where ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum stands on Clemson fans. He said
over the weekend he is "so sick" of the Tiger faithful and Clemson's claim for the No. 1 spot.
Projecting forward, Finebaum said Tuesday on ESPN's "First Take" that he would take the field instead of picking a Clemson-Alabama rematch come the postseason. "I’m a contrarian as you know," Finebaum said. "If you told me, could I take Clemson and Alabama to meet or the field, I would take the field. I think Alabama will be there. I’m still not sure Clemson will be." What will keep the Tigers from a third-straight title game? A loss that he doesn't see tripping up Alabama at this point. "At some point you run into someone. It happened last year to Clemson," Finebaum said. "They lost at home to Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh. They should’ve lost to NC State. The kicker missed a chip shot. And they have to go to NC State. I’m not trying to make that into some all-world game. "At some point you do lose. We saw it last week with Oklahoma and saw it with Michigan. It will happen. I don’t think it will happen to Alabama, but I do think it could happen to Clemson." ESPN's Football Power Index measure gives Alabama a 44.4 percent chance of winning out, while Clemson is given the next-best shot at an undefeated run at 28.7.
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