Who would Alabama fans root for if LSU and Clemson meet in the CFP title game? Paul Finebaum weighs in
Alabama fans are between a rock and a hard place in the next few weeks. The Crimson Tide faithful are facing the possibility of a national championship scenario of LSU against Clemson. Who would they root for, or more accurately, more passionately against?
ESPN college football analyst and SEC Network host Paul Finebaum answered that question during his regular weekly appearance on WJOX in Birmingham, during a segment on “The Roundtable.”
“That may be the most painful question of them all,” Finebaum said. “I frankly think they’d almost rather see LSU win than Clemson. Because by Clemson winning, Lance, it suddenly means that Clemson has outperformed Alabama lately. … I still think Alabama fans, based on what I hear, they’re not as concerned about LSU as they are Clemson. They feel like they may have been a one-off … ”
Finebaum shared that ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, and Alabama fans in general, believe that the Crimson Tide will be back in the Playoff next year. Finebaum relayed the opinion that Alabama fans feel confident at quarterback in either Mac Jones, or incoming recruit Bryce Young to be the next QB to lead the program to championship success.
One of the co-hosts, Lance Taylor, shared that Alabama fans want to see LSU passing game coordinator Joe Brady have this kind of success without Joe Burrow at quarterback. So there is a healthy amount of skepticism among the Crimson Tide fans.
“I think they can live with LSU winning,” Finebaum said. “I frankly believe that Alabama fans would rather see LSU win, as crazy as that sounds, than Auburn or Georgia. Georgia is the team that I think they’ve really been concerned about because Kirby has been such a nemesis in terms of recruiting and now I think they’re exhaling even on that one.”
What? This is nuts. I am rooting for LSU because they are SEC. I am not pulling “against” Clemson- noting but respect for Dabo. I would love to see a great game- but in the end, I’m SEC. I would even pull for Aub@rn.
But OU- thats a different story. I would never root agains Jalen Hurts.
Ditto here! I may be a Bama fan first, but I’m an SEC fan second. I want the trophy & the $$$ to stay in the SEC! We all get a little slice of the pie and it helps all our schools. Plus, I just want to see somebody smash those media darling Buckeyes!
Folks are making too huge of an assumption. Clemson is the #4 seed due to not having played anyone, having a terrible SOS, and they got the in card due to having won it all last year. However they have to go through Ohio St first. Ohio St has a huge alumni base in Arizona and travels better Nationally than Clemson. Oh and they have a record of playing very well in Glendale. Title game will be LSU vs Ohio St. Can’t wait to see the Fiesta Bowl game in person at AZ Cards stadium and rooting against Dabo/Clemson.
Clemson is the #3 seed and the game against OSU could be quite the entertaining one.
Last time these teams met in the desert Clemson dominated 31-0. National semifinal game during Clemson’s 1st CFP championship season
I had been a Dabo fan up until the last several weeks where he was whining so much about disrespect. I wouldn’t want an Alabama coach sounding so childish in the media and he needs to be grateful for what has been done and that they are undefeated. Just let your talking be on the field, shut up in front of the mike. But I would pull for LSU, I will stay loyalty to the SEC, keep the Natty in the SEC, it makes us all look better from a conference standpoint. LSU beat us on the field so I will pull for them and I like Burrow.
Coach O is hard to listen to but he seems like decent guy. We will get LSU back next year. Clemson needs to be knocked down a notch or two, I’d be happy to see LSU do to them what they did to Bama last year. Roll Tide!
I haven’t been a Dabo fan since he started running his mouth after they beat Bama (illegally picked their way to the win) the first time. I will be sick if he ever comes to Bama.
I’m pulling for OU myself…
I’ll be rooting for Jalen. If OU gets knocked out I won’t care who wins. I doubt I’d even watch it
the logical thing is to pull for your conference. a high tide raises all ships or some such. the better the teams you play year in and year out are perceived, you the better you are perceived when you beat them. why would you root against that?
That honestly doesn’t matter anymore with the current system… A weak ACC sure hasn’t hurt Clemson and does your opponent winning and improving their recruiting really help others in the conference?
I’m pulling for OU because of Jalen but outside of the Tide I don’t really pull for any other team… I just hope to see a good game no matter who wins.
say what? it certainly does matter. it matters a LOT. just ask dabo. its affected the rankings all season. its the reason clemson is ranked number 3 and has to play ohio state in the first round while lsu gets a much softer opponent. you dont think that matters? i get the recruiting thing a little, but the strength of conference/schedule is just as if not more important.
The rank getting in doesn’t matter. #1 has never won it…
A weak conference hasn’t kept Clemson out.. It does help keep them healthy and undefeated though
Besides who Is to say OU doesn’t win it all?
Just about everyone has said it.
I usually always pull the SEC team and have many times pulled for LSU( 2003 and 2007) but as a LSU fan can you say you pulled for Bama against Clemson last year? Because I know many LSU fans were so happy to see Bama get beat and hate Nick Saban. So this year I think I will pull for Boomer Sooner
I have no issue with Bama fans pulling for Jalen and OU. There is a connection there. I would be surprised if OU pulled it off though. LSU is deeper and more well rounded. Jalen has made some mistakes lately and I think he will again as he will try and do too much to keep up. I think LSU wins by double digits. If the defense plays as well as it has lately, it could be a 20 point victory.
Err, not a pachyderm fan. But, if I were, I’d pass on both of them and root for the cheerleaders
I’m pulling for OU because of Jalen. He is class act.
LSU of course!
#RTR Ramma Jamma!
I like both teams, but LSU is having a season that deserves a National Championship. Clemson, through no fault of their own, had a cupcake schedule this year.