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Paul Finebaum and Stephen A. Smith often disagree on a variety of topics throughout the calendar sports year. That’s part of what makes their banter so interesting, or not, depending on your viewpoint.
On Wednesday morning’s First Take on ESPN, Finebaum and his college football expertise were challenged by Smith as they broke down Tuesday night’s latest College Football Playoff rankings going into Championship Weekend.
Specifically, Finebaum and Smith clashed on the Alabama-Miami debate. Miami was properly punished for blowing a 21-0 lead in last Saturday’s 42-38 loss at Syracuse, as the committee moved the Hurricanes down 6 spots to No. 12. Alabama, on the other hand, moved up 2 spots to No. 11 after a methodical 28-14 victory over Auburn in the Iron Bowl.
So, right now, the Crimson Tide have the inside track on the Hurricanes for a Playoff spot as we head toward Selection Sunday. That comes in spite of Alabama having 3 losses and Miami having just 2 losses.
Finebaum was asked point blank if he’s OK with Alabama being ahead of Miami in the rankings.
“I’m very good with it,” Finebaum said. “Miami has a better record, but that’s not really the point. Alabama has played a much better schedule. What Miami did wrong was lose their most important game.”
https://twitter.com/FirstTake/status/1864333990297043283
Naturally, Smith had an opposite viewpoint.
“If it was me, it’s usually Alabama. Not this year. I’ve been incredibly disappointed,” said Smith. “To me, you know what, you’re Alabama, you go out and lose to Vanderbilt and you lose to Oklahoma, another (.500) team.”
Smith really had a big problem with Miami falling 6 spots in the rankings after the loss at Syracuse.
Time will tell whether Alabama or Miami get in, whether they both squeeze their way in or whether neither gets in. All 3 scenarios are possible come Sunday.
Cory Nightingale, a former sportswriter and sports editor at the Miami Herald and Palm Beach Post, is a South Florida-based freelance writer who covers Alabama for SaturdayDownSouth.com.
