Paul Finebaum shovels dirt on the grave of SEC college football dominance

ESPN's Paul Finebaum acknowledged on First Take that the Southeastern Conference (SEC) is facing significant challenges in maintaining its college football dominance. Historically, the SEC has claimed 13 national titles over the last two decades, solidifying its reputation as a powerhouse in the sport. However, the SEC is currently experiencing a period of struggle, with Finebaum admitting, "There's no way to defend the SEC. It has been terrible."

The SEC's recent performance in the College Football Playoff (CFP) era highlights these struggles, with the conference holding a 5-7 record, including two seasons where SEC teams competed against each other. Notably, the SEC champion Georgia lost in its first game in both seasons. Additionally, the SEC has faced significant defeats, such as Tennessee's 42-17 loss to Ohio State and Alabama's 38-3 loss to Indiana, both against Big Ten teams.

Finebaum also pointed out the declining reliability of Alabama as a flagship program, noting