Analyst Paul Finebaum believes that the 2025 college football season will belong to the Southeastern Conference. The last two College Football Playoff Championships have gone to Big Ten programs. Michigan won it two years ago under Jim Harbaugh, and Ohio State won it last season under the guidance of Ryan Day.
On Saturday’s appearance on Netflix Sports Club, Finebaum was asked if an SEC team is finally going to win the natty in the upcoming season. The 70-year-old said that if it doesn’t happen, he will leave the country.
“By the way, if it’s not, I’m leaving the country because I am so sick and tired of being harassed by Big Ten fans on our show,” Finebaum said.
Paul Finebaum also set the record straight for Big Ten fans, pointing out Alabama’s dominance while taking a dig at Michigan’s championship two years ago, which was marred by a sign-stealing scandal.
“The Big Ten has literally done nothing,” Finebaum said. “They’ve won two national championships; Michigan won one two years ago, and they won one and a half national championships, I think, before that in 70 years, and they act like they invented football. Alabama has won about 15 national championships in my lifetime. Now, I realize that’s not a good comparison to a realistic lifespan.
Finally, Finebaum predicts that coach Steve Sarkisian’s Texas Longhorns will win the national championship in the upcoming season.
“I believe Texas is going to win,” Finebaum added. “I didn’t mean to avoid your question. It’s going to end all this, and on January 20th, I’ll be the happiest man in America because I won’t have to listen to the Big Teners, or, as my callers call them, the Little Teners.”
“If it’s not I’m leaving the country. I am so sick and tired of being harassed by Big Ten fans on our show. … They act like they invented football.” @finebaum has had enough of Big Ten fans, and predicts that an SEC team will win the National Championship 😂 @daniklup pic.twitter.com/LNXFwU7IL3
— Netflix Sports (@netflixsports) August 9, 2025
Does Paul Finebaum’s pick for the national championship lead the odds?
As noted above, Paul Finebaum picked the Texas Longhorns to win the national championship next season. Finebaum’s pick does lead the latest preseason odds by BetMGM, which are as below:
- Texas Longhorns: +500
- Ohio State Buckeyes: +525
- Georgia Bulldogs: +700
- Penn State Nittany Lions: +700
- Oregon Ducks: +900
Meanwhile, FOX Sports has both Texas and Ohio State tied for having the best odds to win the national championship. Here’s the list:
- Texas: +550
- Ohio State: +550
- Penn State: +700
- Georgia: +700
- Alabama & Clemson: +1000
On ESPN Bet, the list is pretty similar:
- Ohio State: +550
- Texas: +550
- Penn State: +600
- Georgia: +800
Meanwhile, on Rotowire, Ryan Day’s Buckeyes lead the odds slightly.
- Ohio State: +500
- Texas: +550
- Georgia: +650
- Penn State: +750
- Oregon: +800
The reason why Texas Longhorns are on top of most fantasy boards is because of their consistent performances and the arrival of Arch Manning as starting quarterback after Quinn Ewers’ departure to the NFL. Manning is a Heisman favorite, and his performance is closely tied to how deep Texas will go next season.
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