Paul Finebaum has strong take on the Tennessee Vols vs USC Trojans playoff debate
It seems like each week there's a new narrative about why the Tennessee Vols should be left out of the College Football Playoff. Last week, it was that Oregon might be more deserving of the final playoff spot (if TCU doesn't lose the rest of the season). The Ducks, however, lost to Washington this past […]
It seems like each week there's a new narrative about why the Tennessee Vols should be left out of the College Football Playoff.
Last week, it was that Oregon might be more deserving of the final playoff spot (if TCU doesn't lose the rest of the season).
The Ducks, however, lost to Washington this past weekend.
So now instead of Oregon keeping Tennessee out of the playoffs, the narrative is that USC will be the team that keeps the Vols out.
USC has one loss this season (to Utah) and no wins over ranked teams. They play UCLA and Notre Dame to finish the season. If they win those two games and then win the Pac-12 championship, they'd be a one-loss conference champion.
Some analysts believe that will be enough to keep Tennessee out of the playoff.
SEC Network host Paul Finebaum, however, doesn't agree.
Finebaum argued with former USC wide receiver turned ESPN employee Keyshawn Johnson on Tuesday about the Vols vs Trojans playoff debate.
"Keyshawn let me tell you a tough place to play," said Finebaum. "What Tennessee did when they went to Baton Rouge and won by 30 points. That's LSU. That's Death Valley. They won there. They beat them down. The same team that beat Alabama a few weeks prior. That's the difference maker."
I'm sure Tennessee fans are happy to see Finebaum defending the Vols for once. But unfortunately, it will probably be USC over Tennessee if they win out.
Now, I don't agree with it. I think the Vols are a much better team than USC. But I think the committee would go with a one-loss conference champion over the Trojans.
So yes, despite what Finebaum said, I think the Volunteers need to hope USC loses one of their next two or three games. If that happens, then the narrative will shift to a one-loss ACC team. And we'll start this whole debate over. Again.
Featured image via Ken Ruinard / staff via Imagn Content Services
