Paul Finebaum Weighs In: Alabama Football's Path in the College Football Playoff Is There… If They Take It

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

Paul Finebaum isn’t nearly as rattled about Alabama’s College Football Playoff draw as a lot of people in the fanbase seem to be.  While callers were melting down over the matchup with Oklahoma, Finebaum kept things steady.

“I’m not as concerned as some of the callers, I’m sure, will be,” Finebaum said. “I think you hit the reset button. You get a great opportunity.”

That opportunity comes in the form of a playoff opener on the road in Norman, a place where Alabama still hasn’t found a win since Oklahoma entered the SEC. The Sooners beat Alabama in Norman last season, and the beat the Tide in Tuscaloosa this season, and the Tide haven’t shaken that off yet. Now, with everything on the line, they’ll have to.

If Alabama can survive the trip to Norman, they’ll advance to face top-seeded Indiana in a game that also doubles as this year’s Rose Bowl.

Finebaum made it clear the Crimson Tide could’ve landed in a much rougher spot.

“The pairings could have been a lot worse. I, frankly, think if Alabama can get past Oklahoma, at least on paper, they have a path. It may not be that great for anybody who watched Indiana play on Saturday night,” Finebaum said. “But I think a lot of Alabama people would feel pretty good about it.”

But he didn’t avoid the biggest concern hovering over this team: Ty Simpson.

“Anything I say about Ty Simpson, it will be articulated 1000 times more,” Finebaum said. “But something is wrong. Is it the lack of running game? Is it problems up front? But he just doesn’t seem to be the same quarterback he was eight weeks ago. I think that has to be a major concern going into Norman.”

That concern becomes even heavier when you look at what Oklahoma brings defensively. The Sooners have one of the most complete defenses in the country, ranking 31st nationally in pass defense and allowing just 192.2 yards per game.

Alabama will travel to Oklahoma for the College Football Playoff on Friday, December 19th. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. CT, and the Tide have one job: survive and advance.

Roll Tide! 

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos