Latest news with #Finebaum
USA Today
6 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Paul Finebaum shares blunt opinion on former Texas QB1 Quinn Ewers
Paul Finebaum shares blunt opinion on former Texas QB1 Quinn Ewers Did Quinn Ewers impress anyone? Paul Finebaum doesn't think so. ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum did not mince words when discussing former Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers, saying the signal-caller failed to impress during his final season in Austin and predicting the program will see a significant upgrade under new starter Arch Manning. 'The guy that was there last year didn't impress me,' Finebaum said during his show Wednesday. 'He didn't impress anyone' Ewers, who was once one of college football's most high-profile athletes and appeared on the cover of 'EA Sports College Football 25,' completed 65.8 percent of his passes for 3,472 yards, 31 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 14 games last season. However, the Longhorns fell short of a national championship, and Ewers' struggles in big moments — including a costly fumble in the Cotton Bowl loss to Ohio State — drew increased scrutiny. His underwhelming finish led to a slide in the 2025 NFL Draft, where he was selected in the seventh round. Finebaum's guest, Cedric Golden of the Austin American-Statesman, offered high praise for Manning, calling him potentially the best Texas quarterback since Colt McCoy. 'I think he's going to be the best quarterback at Texas since Colt McCoy,' Golden said. 'And Colt McCoy had a hell of a career at Texas, those numbers don't lie. So, I do think he's the next great quarterback at Texas after VY (Vince Young) and Colt." The transition from Ewers to Manning has fueled debate among fans and analysts, with Finebaum questioning head coach Steve Sarkisian's decision to stick with Ewers during the Cotton Bowl. 'There is nothing finer than Arch Manning starting at Texas. It's long overdue,' Finebaum said on ESPN College Football. As the Arch Manning era begins, comparisons between the two quarterbacks are expected to continue, with the Longhorns and their fans hoping Manning can deliver where Ewers fell short.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Kirby Smart fires back at Paul Finebaum over Gunner Stockton comments
SEC college football expert Paul Finebaum has expressed significant concern about Gunner Stockton being Georgia's starting quarterback for the upcoming college football season. "I'd say that's a big not fine.", said Finebaum about Gunner Stockton serving as Georgia's starting quarterback during a "Fine/Not Fine" segment on ESPN's SportsCenter. "I know the team coalesced around him after the SEC championship game, but I was underwhelmed by what I saw from Gunner Stockton in the Sugar Bowl loss to Notre Dame." Advertisement In the Sugar Bowl against Notre Dame, Stockton, making his first career start, completed 20 of 32 passes for 234 yards and one touchdown. Georgia lost the game 23-10, struggling on offense with two fumbles and failing to convert any of their three fourth-down attempts. Kirby Smart later joined addressed Finebaum's show and discussed his comments directly. "I didn't miss it," said Smart when asked about Finebaum's comments. "Yeah, I'm excited. Gunner (Stockton) got the message, man." Smart implies that Finebaum's comments will serve as motivation for Stockton, who is projected to be Georgia's starting quarterback in 2025. While Smart has not officially named Stockton the starter, all signs point to him taking the role, especially given his experience in the system compared to other UGA quarterbacks like Ryan Puglisi. "I feel like at this point in your career, you need a little bit of help from me," said Finebaum. "To get you to the first game and over the finish line." Smart's comments with Paul Finebaum "I am glad you did!" said Smart. "That's why I always come on your show because I love the fact that you give me all that motivation." This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: Kirby Smart responds as Paul Finebaum calls Gunner Stockton 'not fine'
USA Today
28-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Kirby Smart fires back at Paul Finebaum over Gunner Stockton comments
AI-assisted summary Paul Finebaum expressed concern over Gunner Stockton's ability to lead Georgia as starting quarterback. Finebaum cited Stockton's underwhelming performance in the Sugar Bowl loss to Notre Dame. Georgia coach Kirby Smart acknowledged Finebaum's comments and suggested they would motivate Stockton. SEC college football expert Paul Finebaum has expressed significant concern about Gunner Stockton being Georgia's starting quarterback for the upcoming college football season. "I'd say that's a big not fine.", said Finebaum about Gunner Stockton serving as Georgia's starting quarterback during a "Fine/Not Fine" segment on ESPN's SportsCenter. "I know the team coalesced around him after the SEC championship game, but I was underwhelmed by what I saw from Gunner Stockton in the Sugar Bowl loss to Notre Dame." In the Sugar Bowl against Notre Dame, Stockton, making his first career start, completed 20 of 32 passes for 234 yards and one touchdown. Georgia lost the game 23-10, struggling on offense with two fumbles and failing to convert any of their three fourth-down attempts. Kirby Smart later joined addressed Finebaum's show and discussed his comments directly. "I didn't miss it," said Smart when asked about Finebaum's comments. "Yeah, I'm excited. Gunner (Stockton) got the message, man." Smart implies that Finebaum's comments will serve as motivation for Stockton, who is projected to be Georgia's starting quarterback in 2025. While Smart has not officially named Stockton the starter, all signs point to him taking the role, especially given his experience in the system compared to other UGA quarterbacks like Ryan Puglisi. Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle "I feel like at this point in your career, you need a little bit of help from me," said Finebaum. "To get you to the first game and over the finish line." Smart's comments with Paul Finebaum "I am glad you did!" said Smart. "That's why I always come on your show because I love the fact that you give me all that motivation."
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Paul Finebaum Picks College Football Team Ending 5-Year Playoff Drought in 2025
The 2024 College Football Playoff featured six teams making their first appearances in the postseason tournament. Among the returning teams, the Oregon Ducks had the longest playoff drought, having last qualified in 2014, the inaugural year of the playoff. Advertisement The Clemson Tigers and Notre Dame Fighting Irish ended their nearly five-year droughts, as neither team had participated since 2020. Meanwhile, several teams that have previously made the playoffs are hoping to return in 2025. These teams include the Oklahoma Sooners, who haven't made it since 2019, the Cincinnati Bearcats, who last appeared in 2021, the Florida State Seminoles, who have not qualified since 2014 and the LSU Tigers, who last played in 2019. All of them are eager to end their respective playoff droughts this season. On "The Paul Finebaum Show," the SEC Network analyst selected one of these teams to overcome their struggles and return to national title contention. LSU Tigers head coach Brian Kelly reacts to a play against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the second half at Tiger Lew "Right now, I would have to think of LSU as a playoff team," Finebaum said. "It's crowded. In the SEC, you essentially have Texas, I believe you have Alabama, Georgia, LSU and who is next?" Advertisement The Tigers have high hopes for the upcoming season after finishing last season with a 9-4 record. They return 62% of their production, which ranks No. 38 in the nation. A key player returning is star quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, who threw for 4,052 yards, 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions last season. Additionally, LSU retains junior linebacker Whit Weeks and sophomore running back Caden Durham. Weeks led the team with 125 tackles and recorded 10 tackles for loss last season, while Durham rushed for 753 yards and scored six touchdowns as a true freshman. The Tigers also benefit from a favorable schedule as according to Athlon Sports, they have the No. 6 easiest schedule in the SEC. Finebaum highlighted the critical game for LSU as the matchup against the Ole Miss Rebels on the road on September 27. He also mentioned that LSU cannot afford to lose to the Florida Gators, as it did last season. The Tigers will kick off their season with a significant away game against the Clemson Tigers on August 30. Related: Paul Finebaum Says This Major SEC Team Is Top Tier — But Not the Best
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Even Paul Finebaum Thinks Clemson Can Win It All—Yes, Really
No, this isn't an April Fool's joke, and no, you didn't accidentally click on The Onion. Paul Finebaum—the longtime SEC megaphone and frequent Clemson skeptic—just said something nice about the Tigers. Not just nice. Complimentary. Borderline glowing. Advertisement 'I think Clemson is in the national championship race,' Finebaum said this week on ESPN's McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning. For most programs, that wouldn't exactly move the needle. But for Clemson? Coming from Finebaum? That's headline material. This is the same Paul Finebaum who once questioned whether Dabo Swinney had staying power, mocked Clemson's early NIL philosophy, and all but rolled his eyes at talk of the Tigers as a modern dynasty. So to hear Finebaum include Clemson in his personal shortlist of 2025 title contenders? That's about as close to a public apology as you're going to get. Paul Finebaum© Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports Yes, Clemson has been trending upward since the back half of last season. Yes, the Tigers are coming off another College Football Playoff appearance. Yes, Cade Klubnik has developed into a legitimate Heisman contender, and the defense is absolutely loaded with elite talent like T.J. Parker and Peter Woods anchoring the front. Advertisement But none of that guarantees Paul Finebaum's endorsement. He's long preferred to keep the national spotlight glued to the SEC—Alabama, Georgia, LSU—while keeping Clemson in the 'let's see if they're for real' category. So this moment? It means something. Finebaum acknowledging Clemson as a real threat in 2025 is the football version of a solar eclipse: rare, slightly disorienting, and you better soak it in while it lasts. To be fair, Finebaum isn't wrong. This year's Clemson team is loaded with top-tier talent across the board—possibly more than any Tigers squad since 2018. Klubnik is no longer a young quarterback with potential—he's now a seasoned leader, entering his third year as a starter with one of the deepest wide receiver rooms in the country. On the other side of the ball, Clemson boasts arguably the best defensive front in America, headlined by future first-rounders Peter Woods and T.J. Parker. Advertisement Throw in Avieon Terrell and Antonio Williams—possibly the top cornerback and receiver in the ACC—and it's no surprise Clemson sits in the top five of nearly every post-spring Top 25. You know you're doing something right when even your usual critics are buying in. And in the world of college football punditry, there's no tougher sell than Paul Finebaum. The fact that even he is calling Clemson a contender? That's not just noise. That's validation. So if you needed a sign that Dabo Swinney's Tigers are back in the big-time national title conversation, forget the stats, the rankings, or the spring buzz. Just listen to Paul Finebaum. He thinks Clemson is good. Not just good—good good. Related: Clemson Cracks Top 10 in NIL-Era College Football Job Rankings by Andy Staples and Ari Wasserman
