Paul Finebaum has heard enough slander about the SEC’s lack of depth.
At least, that’s what you’d assume after his full-on meltdown in response to SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee’s recent comments at ACC Media Days.
After Lashlee pointed out that only six schools have won the SEC since 1964 and questioned whether that’s really depth or just top-heaviness, Finebaum took to the mic with all the fire and fury of a guy who had just been told Alabama football might not be perfect.
“First of all, I think Alabama has won about 11 national championships in that period,” Finebaum said. “But that’s not even the main point. If I understand correctly, he’s the head coach at SMU. I bet you know where I’m going here. 1987.”
Yes, that’s right. Finebaum’s rebuttal to a present-day observation about the SEC was to dig up the NCAA’s 1987 “death penalty” for SMU. He called SMU “the most corrupt program in the history of college football” and questioned how Lashlee had the “nerve” to speak critically of the SEC. Then came the real kicker.
“That was one of the most comically embarrassing rants I have heard, and I am glad the audio wasn’t clear because I would have come right through that screen,” Finebaum added, presumably while shaking his fist at a cloud.
It was vintage Finebaum—defensive, emotional, and deeply committed to guarding the SEC’s honor at all costs. The idea that a current head coach, speaking facts backed by nearly 60 years of league history, could trigger this level of outrage just proves how fragile the talking points have become.
If Finebaum’s ready to throw hands with Lashlee over conference parity, maybe it’s time to take a breath. Or at least pick a fight from this century.
