Breathe Taking: Paul Finebaum Identifies Surprise College Football Playoff Contender After Week 1 Win

Week 1 of the college football season wrapped up with an exhilarating game between the LSU Tigers and the USC Trojans, where the Trojans secured a dramatic 27-20 victory with a last-second touchdown. ESPN’s Paul Finebaum criticized LSU’s loss as “completely and totally disappointing,” noting that the Tigers didn’t face a particularly strong opponent this year compared to their earlier loss to Florida State. Despite his criticism, Finebaum acknowledged the Trojans’ potential, stating, “I think they have a shot at the playoffs now with this game, but I mean they can go 10-2; I think they’re 9-3. That would be my ceiling for them.”

This perspective marks a significant shift for Finebaum, who had previously been highly critical of USC head coach Lincoln Riley, calling last season’s performance one of the worst he had ever seen and suggesting Riley should have been fired if he were the athletic director.

With the Trojans’ thrilling win, it seems Riley and USC have turned the tables, and Finebaum now sees a potential path for them to make their first appearance in the College Football Playoff.