Hour 4: Callers

Summary

The Paul Finebaum Show - Hour 4: Callers

Date: July 30, 2026
Host: Paul Finebaum, ESPN
Theme: Candid insights and spirited debate on the current state of college football, with special focus on the SEC, coaching trends, the playoff landscape, and energetic caller participation.

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Episode Overview

Hour 4 of "The Paul Finebaum Show" delivers a classic, wide-ranging call-in segment, packed with passionate debates, SEC-centric drama, and reflection on recent program changes nationwide. Fan callers and Paul dive into topics like post-Saban Alabama, coaching hires, SEC-Big Ten rivalries, new playoff formats, conference strength narratives, and caller community camaraderie. A recurring theme: honesty and raw opinions—especially from "Big Man," whose earlier call is widely praised.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Caller Community and Show Culture

• Callers consistently praise the inclusivity and the "family" nature of Finebaum’s listener base, highlighting the supportive environment for fans through life changes or debates.
• Multiple callers reference "Big Man’s" earlier contribution (not in this hour) as authentic, blunt, and refreshingly honest.
  • "Apparently this man is not Willy Wonka. He doesn't sugarcoat things, but he tells it the way it is. That had to be one of the best calls I have heard in a long, long, long time." – Spearhead, [07:07]
  • "Big man. Big man. That guy, I never. I never heard him before, but, man, he was. He was spot on with everything that he said." – Swamp Dog, [23:31]

2. Alabama and the Post-Saban Era

• Discussion fueled by skepticism around Kalen DeBoer’s hiring and future.
• Callers argue over the challenges DeBoer faces compared to Saban, and whether the program is trending downward.
  • "Greg Byrne wasn't gonna hire... somebody and give them total control like that again, he wants to be the man. And that's why you hired DeBoer. I mean, to me it's obvious..." – Dano, [02:07]
  • "It's ridiculous. It's the stupidest thing I've ever heard of trying to compare their two seasons... I just don't think it's going to work out." – Dano, [02:48]
• Paul pushes back on some pessimism, acknowledging the tough spot Byrne was in and crediting DeBoer’s recent achievements:
  • "It didn't hurt Kaylen DeBoer that he beat Texas in the semifinals and played for the national championship. So those were [Byrne's] choices... he ended up with Mike Norvell and Damore." – Paul, [04:00]

3. Conference Debate – SEC vs Big Ten, ACC, and Others

• Callers spar over the relative strength of conferences and whether the SEC is still at the top.
  • "The ACC is going to go further down. They're going to be beneath the Big 12 Conference, they're going to probably even go beneath the Pac 12 Conference..." – Brian in Tulsa, [05:05]
• Big Ten coaching upgrades and program expectations highlighted.
  • "The Big ten, the new coaches in the Big ten are all upgrades on the previous coach. I mean Matt Campbell is going to do wonders where James Franklin never could get out of his own way. Fitzgerald is a phenomenal coach..." – Paul, [09:30]

4. SEC Reputation and Excuses

• A lengthy exchange addresses Laura Rutledge’s commentary around SEC teams being too "beat up" for playoffs, viewed by some as "excuses."
  • "The way she's saying that, though, it made it sound like, oh, we're too beat up. We can't do this. Because, I mean, it made it sound like it was victim mentality." – Jeff in Chicago, [15:47]
  • Paul rebuts:
    "I had not heard her comments. I have now... I bailed on that argument at the end of last season and I did it, but I don't do it anymore. I am cured." – Paul, [17:43]
  • "The one thing SEC fans need to quit doing is to continue making excuses. That's part of the problem with this narrative. Signetti was right..." – Paul, [21:06]

5. Coaching Carousel & Big Contracts

• Debates about the logic and risk of giant contracts for coaches after only 1–2 strong years.
  • "They have one or two good years for him. Exceptional and they lock these schools, lock their coaches in because they're afraid another school's gonna come in and poach them..." – Brad, [19:14]
  • "Alabama just did the same thing." – Paul, [20:08]

6. Indiana’s Rise & SEC’s Struggles

• Indiana’s victory over Alabama, driven by new coach Kurt Signetti, is a flashpoint for SEC fans grappling with shifting power.
  • "He just took a broom and swept right through the sec... he made an ass out of everybody in the SEC and beat Alabama by 30." – AJ, [28:48]
  • Paul corrects: "Alabama lost by 35, not 30 to Indiana." – Paul, [30:37]

7. Playoff System Expansion

• Callers and Paul discuss the pros/cons of an expanded 16-team (or further) playoff:
  • "My thinking is 16 teams, everybody plays the same number of games... teams that lose, they still had a good season and they can claim that they made the playoffs." – Jim in Ohio, [32:55]
  • "I think there will be a 16 team playoff, but I'm afraid it's going to be on the road to 24." – Paul, [33:28]
  • Paul warns about playoff appearances losing significance for elite programs.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Caller camaraderie & SEC "family"

  • "We are an SEC Paul 5 bomb show family. And we have differences, but this was making so great." – Brian in Tulsa, [05:05]

• Big Man's impact

  • "He doesn't sugarcoat things, but he tells it the way it is. That had to be one of the best calls I have heard in a long, long, long time." – Spearhead, [07:07]

• On Alabama’s coaching change

  • "Greg Byrne wasn't gonna... give them total control like that again, he wants to be the man. And that's why you hired DeBoer..." – Dano, [02:07]

• SEC’s playoff excuses & narrative

  • "It's a weak argument." – Paul, [18:21]
  • "SEC fans need to quit doing is to continue making excuses. That's part of the problem with this narrative." – Paul, [21:06]

• On Indiana’s shocking SEC win

  • "Alabama lost by 35, not 30 to Indiana." – Paul, [30:37]
  • "He just took a broom and swept right through the sec..." – AJ, [28:48]

• Expansion of Playoffs

  • "I think there will be a 16 team playoff, but I'm afraid it's going to be on the road to 24." – Paul, [33:28]

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Timestamps for Noteworthy Segments

• [00:41] - Paul opens, referencing "one of the best calls of the year" (Big Man)
• [01:00–03:10] - Dano & G on Alabama’s direction, DeBoer vs. Saban
• [04:22–05:05] - Brian in Tulsa thanks the show community, critiques ACC & Texas/Oklahoma fan rhetoric
• [07:07] - Spearhead lauds Big Man's call, praises the show's callers
• [09:02–11:07] - Discussion on new Big Ten and SEC coaches, coaching moves
• [15:35–18:21] - Jeff criticizes Laura Rutledge’s SEC "excuse" comments, Paul’s strong rebuttal
• [19:14–20:57] - Brad & Paul discuss big contracts and the coach "poaching" game
• [23:31–25:49] - Swamp Dog on the folly of comparing DeBoer to Saban, celebrates caller diversity, praises Robert’s touching call
• [28:48] - AJ (Auburn fan) mocks SEC fans for not moving on, touts Indiana’s win and Auburn resurgence
• [32:55–33:28] - Jim in Ohio suggests a 16-team playoff, Paul weighs in

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Tone & Style Observations

• Signature Paul Finebaum: sharp, sometimes wry, always fair. Lets callers vent, spar, and celebrate.
• The hour is spirited, sometimes feisty, but with frequent calls for honesty, accountability, and moving past excuses—especially for SEC partisans.
• Community spirit is high; many callers reference and support one another, blending football fervor with a touch of empathy.

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In Summary

This hour underscores why Paul Finebaum’s show remains essential listening for college football fans: passionate opinions, rapid-fire debate, inside info on major programs, and a sense of community among fans from all backgrounds. With the SEC’s reputation in flux, coaching changes shaking up the landscape, and playoff expansion looming, the calls reflect both uncertainty and excitement for the coming season.

Transcript

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[Show Producer/Announcer]

The pride, passion and pageantry of college football lives here. This is the Paul Feinbaum show. Our Ford podcast.

[Paul Finebaum]

This might be college football. We may have just had one of the best calls of the year. Whether you agree or not, I just like the honesty of what our last caller, Big man had to say. I think he didn't know what he was talking about. G is up next in Atlanta.

[Caller G]

Hello, G. Hey, Paul, thanks for taking my call, brother.

[Caller E]

He laid out or what?

[Caller G]

I mean, he made me almost become an Alabama fan.

[Caller F]

I'm a Georgia fan.

[Caller G]

But Paul, I, I kind of agree with him a little bit on the third choice because I think Florida State and Alabama continue to trend down, downward and Colorado continue to win. And if they can win good out

[Caller E]

there like he's been doing, I think

[Caller G]

it'd be a big one for him to come down south. Paul, so it's Alamada either Alabama, I mean, it puts politics aside. You want to win? You want to win, brother? What you think?

[Paul Finebaum]

Yeah, I don't, I don't really think that's going to happen. But gee, I appreciate the call very, very much. Dano is up next. Hey, Dano.

[Caller F]

Hey, Paul. Man, I love Big Man's car. That was, that was on point.

[Caller G]

But let me ask you this, Paul. Do you think it's a coincidence Greg Byrne hired somebody like Deborah?

[Caller F]

From going from somebody like Saban to

[Caller E]

Deborah, I mean, who ran that show

[Caller H]

when Saban was there?

[Caller F]

Everybody knows Saban ran the show.

[Caller E]

Greg Byrne wasn't gonna hire, like hire

[Caller F]

somebody and give them total control like that again, he wants to be the man.

[Caller E]

And that's why you hired DeBoer. I mean, to me it's obvious, but

[Caller F]

people want to compare the comparison from saving to divorce.

[Caller E]

After two years.

[Caller F]

What was the program trending like after saving with Saban?

[Paul Finebaum]

Well, after two years it was trending toward a national championship.

[Caller E]

Okay, where is it trending now?

[Paul Finebaum]

Well, it's pretty obvious. I mean, they were picked to finish six in the league. Yeah.

[Caller F]

Okay, comparison, stop. I mean, just, it's ridiculous. It's the stupidest thing I've ever Heard of trying to compare their. Their two seasons, but I just. I don't know. I. I just don't think he's. I don't think it's going to work out.

[Caller G]

I think it's going to crash and burn.

[Paul Finebaum]

Well, Daniel, thanks for the call. I don't. I mean, Greg Byrne in his defense, you know, had very little lead way Saban. How many times you have to hear that? He wasn't really sure whether he was retiring or not walking into the meeting. So, I mean, Byrne had a list together. I have no doubt he would have been because the rumors were everywhere before the Michigan game that Saban might be walking away. It's no secret, didn't get out much in the media because people had been burned too many times saying, I think this could be the end for Nick Saban. Just ask me how I know that. But Byrne knew the reality. He knew that Saban might be leaving. So he had a couple of names and it didn't hurt Kaylen DeBoer that he beat Texas in the semifinals and played for the national championship. So those were his choices. He tried Sarkeesian, he tried Dan Lanning, and he was not going to call Lane Kiffin. We all know that. And he ended up with Mike Norvell and Damore. Brian is up next in Tulsa. Hey, Brian.

[Caller G]

Hey, Paul. Thank you for the buying. I am. Paul, I never got a chance to say this back in April, but I'm gonna. First of all, I'm gonna thank you for just every time I called, you always ask me how the job searches going. So, Paul, I never got a chance to say this. I want to thank you. I also want to thank AJ I want to thank Dancing Joe. I want to thank Dylan. I want to thank everyone that had my back at the time where I was going through a job. Job search because without you guys, I don't think I would have my confidence back. So to everyone at this mention and. And Brad, I want to say thank you all. And it doesn't matter if you're a regulator or a black hat or Don Johnson jacket.

[Caller E]

We are a.

[Caller G]

We are an SEC Paul 5 bomb show family. And we have differences, but this was making so great. Now, Chris, you're right about one thing about you said earlier about your call when you said, well, we don't know what's going to happen. I know what's going to happen with the acc. The ACC is going to go further down. They're going to be beneath the Big 12 Conference. They're going to probably even go beneath the Pac 12 Conference because. Are you kidding me? The only team from the ACC that got to the playoff by the skin of their teeth is Miami because they beat Notre Dame. That's the reason why. That's why only one team of the ACC came in and they didn't even play for a championship. So, Chris, don't be surprised if your ACC team may end up either one or two or even no teams this year in the playoff. And one more thing. Yesterday expired. Great call yesterday. Great call this. And that Texas idiot fan that thinks that Oklahoma and A and M are going to win three to four games. I'm going to say this. I think Oklahoma and AM are going to have more wins and less losses than Texas going to have the. Paul, you all have a great day. Boomer, Sooner regulator here I am out.

[Caller I]

Thank you.

[Paul Finebaum]

J.C. is up next. Hey, J.C. good afternoon.

[Caller G]

Good evening, Mr. Fine Bomb.

[Caller J]

I just wanted to go over one thing, so, you know, it's kind of been the main Talk today about DeBoer, but I just want to come on here and defend him. I mean, the guy's a human. But for the past two seasons, hasn't really been the greatest for Bama, but every season he has improving. And I want Bama fans to understand that he's not saving. And there's never going to be another Saban, but his second year in Washington, they went to the national championship game. And, you know, I think if we keep improving this third year, I think we can make something big.

[Paul Finebaum]

Spearhead is up next. Good afternoon.

[Caller F]

Hey, Paul. How y' all doing?

[Paul Finebaum]

We're doing great.

[Caller F]

I'm still. I'm still shaking the cobwebs out of my head from the call from big man. Apparently this man is not Willy Wonka. He doesn't sugarcoat things, but he tells it the way it is. That had to be one of the best calls I have heard in a long, long, long time. And you can tell that by the fact that I got on the phone to sit on hold long enough to applaud that man. I love listening to the callers.

[Caller E]

I love all of them, okay?

[Caller F]

The villains, the.

[Caller G]

The heroes, all of them.

[Caller F]

I love them all. But that was truly a great call. I. I hope that this man calls in some more because I'd really like

[Caller E]

to hear what he has to say.

[Caller F]

That's all I've got.

[Caller E]

Y' all have a great day.

[Paul Finebaum]

John is up next.

[Caller I]

Good evening, Paul. First, can we confirm Senator Thune has left for vacation?

[Paul Finebaum]

Not a vacation, considering the Senate is back next Monday.

[Caller I]

Oh okay. Long weekend. And second Paul, two calls that make your show so special were from rumor control whose call was I would say both both very poignant and sobering with this health crisis. And then Robert from Iowa with his life challenges. That was precious. Those two calls put, I would say put your show and life and things in perspective. Agree.

[Paul Finebaum]

It certainly does John.

[Caller I]

And by the way, before my sports question, my ring of honor votes go to the two Chris's who are always so positive but you know the NFL has a senior level exception vote. Do we maybe put RC in for that?

[Paul Finebaum]

Certainly a good consideration. I agree.

[Caller I]

Yeah. So today's sports question, what new coaches are you most excited to see? I'll set the table. I'm really excited about Florida Cimrall and Auburn school. Ish. But the Big ten I'm fascinated with because you've got Michigan's Kyle Winningham and Michigan State's Path Fitzgerald, Jill and Penn State's Matt Campbell, veteran coach is known for doing more with less. What's your thoughts on new coaches?

[Paul Finebaum]

Yeah, I'm glad you mentioned that because we obsess over the SEC but the Big ten, the new coaches in the Big ten are all upgrades on the previous coach. I mean Matt Campbell is going to do wonders where James Franklin never could get out of his own way. Fitzgerald is a phenomenal coach and who the circumstances upon his departure were bizarre at best. And the other one you mentioned is as well when you talk about Kyle Whittingham. I mean this is a top 10 coach who's replacing a top 40 coach in Sharon Moore.

[Caller I]

Yeah. And pacifist jail is $100 million richer for all the pain and suffering.

[Caller E]

Northwestern, you're right about that.

[Paul Finebaum]

That was just a disaster.

[Caller I]

Yeah. So any other coaches that got your interest around the country?

[Paul Finebaum]

I'm thinking about my way everywhere I think. Listen, we just covered a lot right there. I think in the SEC there's no question sumrall might be. Usually you don't see that type of quality in a first year coach. You're getting more of a gambler like a Billy. Like a Billy Napier Napier or Silverfield or people like that. Some, some are agree. John Summerall is a slam dunk success. He'll be one.

[Caller I]

Yeah. And I love goal ish too. I we're going to have some great new coaches. Look forward to it. Great show today Paul.

[Paul Finebaum]

Yeah. No I agree with Goish has really moved the needle in his early days. When we take a break we're up and running here. Busy afternoon. More to your Phone calls right after this.

[Show Producer/Announcer]

You're listening to the Paul Feinbomb show podcast.

[Paul Finebaum]

We are back. Busy day. A lot of shots fired from Big ten media days. And Jeff is up next in Chicago. Hey, Jeff.

[Caller F]

What's up?

[Caller E]

Paul, just calling you from the greatest city in the world where the greatest human on earth is today. Kurt Signetti. Is anyone in America, Is anyone in America better at their job than Kurt Ziggettius? That's what I want to know.

[Paul Finebaum]

My only question, Jeff, does he drink coconut water?

[Caller E]

I mean, you know what? His wife drinks coconut water. That much I know. That much I can tell you is, is for certain. Okay, So I don't know. I don't think he, Kurt Signetti doesn't care about what he drinks. I know a guy who owns a suit store in Bloomington. And before the Heisman ceremony, you know, Signetti went in there last year before the Heisen ceremony and said, just give me his. He didn't want to try anything on. Barely did it and just was, was out of there in five minutes. And it, it, it taught me a valuable lesson about life. Don't be getting fitted for suits and expect people to take you seriously in the workplace. You know, so, I mean, but here, here's what I'll say. Okay. Regarding the comments today that he made, I think, you know, and I'm surprised. I mean, certainly you've listened to Laura Rutledge's comments on the Pat McAfee show, right?

[Paul Finebaum]

Or Jeff, hold on one second. When I was first asked about it, I did. I had not heard her comments. I have now.

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[Caller E]

Okay, now look, I like Laura Rutledge.

[Caller F]

I think she's cool.

[Caller E]

I think she's great at her job. However, I think the way she's. The way she's framing that, it makes the SEC sound a little woofy.

[Caller F]

Like ball.

[Caller E]

Because it's one thing to say, oh, my God, you know, our bottom half of the league or our, you know, our, our teams even. I'll even take it a step farther. Our teams, you know, stick through the end, are much better than your team. Six through the end. Therefore, you know, it makes it a week to week. It may make it harder, but like the way she's. The way she's saying that, though, it made it sound like, oh, you know, we're too beat up. We can't do this. Because, I mean, it made it sound like it was victim mentality. And I mean, it just made it made it sound like these guys, like, you know, like. I'm sure the coaches wouldn't want to say something like that, right? I mean, now. Okay, that being Said, like, I think this is a year where like a 9 and 3, a 3 loss SEC team could end up getting in the playoffs, especially if it's like a Texas situation from last year. I just think the way Texas, you know, competed, even in some of the games, they won, and then losing to a team like Florida, like, come on, you know, like, I mean, it's, you know, like, one thing I could say is that while a team with a lot of talent is going to challenge in Indiana like a Penn State did last year, even though Penn State wasn't very good, and on a certain week and a certain thing, I mean, Indiana still would have been in the playoffs, you know, they wouldn't have lost to a team like Florida last year. Give me a break. You know, so I'm just saying, like, I don't think the way that her and other people at your network are going about framing this right now is doing you any favors. Right? I mean, you would, you would have to agree with that on some level.

[Paul Finebaum]

Jeff. I'm not saying any of that this week, and I would never, I would never use that as an excuse. I mean, I bailed on that argument at the end of last season and I did it, but I don't do it anymore. I am cured.

[Caller E]

I mean, Saban, he didn't really go that far, but like, you know, and I know Saban's taken up for the league and stuff, but it's like, still, you're ending up. You end up sounding like, you end up framing it, like, oh, these are wusses that can't, like, handle the, that once they get to the playoffs, they're so good.

[Paul Finebaum]

It's a weak argument.

[Caller E]

It is. It's a weak argument. That's all I'm saying. And like, I know in the moment, though, I'm giving her a pass because in the moment, when you're on a Show like Pat McAfee and you're there, you feel like, oh, my God. I'm sure she's probably now thinking, oh, I wish I wouldn't have framed. I could have done a better job. But, you know, in the moment, you know, it was, it's, it's, it's hard to get the right words. So, like, I mean, I'm just saying, like, people need, they need, you know, people and you know, your network, that they just need to get that out of their head. Just play football. And if Signetti's right, I mean, if you lose, just like you lost, stop with the excuses, move on with yourself.

[Paul Finebaum]

Thanks, Jeff. That Also goes for fans of Indiana. Brad is up next. Good afternoon.

[Caller L]

Thanks, Paul. And you know that dude's delusional, right? About the second part of his conference. So weak. Your conference, Jeff, is weak in the second part of the teams. And don't talk to me about meaningless bowl games. Like Laura said, we put more players in NFL than any other conference. We have more opt outs than any other conference going NFL because they don't want to get hurt. So don't even, don't even talk that Laura did a great job as far as I'm concerned. But Paul talking about Signetti and his contract, these coaches are getting, especially his. They have one or two good years for him. Exceptional. And they lock these schools, lock their coaches in because they're afraid another school's gonna come in and poach them so they get the big contract on the front end.

[Paul Finebaum]

Hey, Brad, they're not the only ones. Alabama just did the same thing.

[Caller L]

Yeah, I mean, they all do it, but the reason they're doing it, they're making these big contracts out of fear that somebody else is gonna steal their coach and they get their money on the front end instead of proving themselves for more than one or two years. And hey, Signetti, don't forget about, not last year. The year before he went 11 and 1. There was one team that was ranked in the top 25 he had to play. That was Ohio State and he got boat raced. So the first year, no, that wasn't. That was a good year. But he played crazy weak teams last year. He proved that he was a good coach.

[Caller F]

But Paul, he took a shot.

[Caller L]

He took a shot at us.

[Caller E]

And that's fine.

[Caller L]

He can do it. I just hope sometime down this playoff run we get an SEC team against Indiana so we can go ahead, cancel that out.

[Paul Finebaum]

Thanks for the call, Brad. And the one thing SEC fans need to quit doing is to continue making excuses. That's part of the problem with this narrative. Signetti was right about what he said and just accept it. Don't try to. Well, I hope we get them again. Same thing's gonna happen, I promise you. Alabama played Indiana first weekend of the season. It's not going to be any different. Johnny B. Is up next.

[Caller H]

Hey, Paul, thanks for taking my call. I was just looking through the Facebook memory thing today and it flashed up there that this was the day Harvey Updike died back during 2020 of COVID And I'm sure everybody, this goes back to the Tammy and Charles days and when it was more local flavor and just Alabama fans Calling in. But I'll never forget that day. And I'm sure you won't either. Al from Dadeville. I know exactly where I was at, and I was up on the top part of the mountain so I could listen to jocks. But anyway, just wanted to throw that out there for Harvey. What a hell of a fan. And he would always tell you, just got too damn much Bama in him. I feel the same way. Paul, thanks for taking my call.

[Paul Finebaum]

Thank you.

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[Paul Finebaum]

Swamp Dog is up next.

[Caller F]

Good afternoon, Paul. Thanks for taking my call. Hey, it's been a really good show today. I've enjoyed everybody. It's.

[Paul Finebaum]

Thank you.

[Caller F]

Big man. Big man. That guy, I never. I never heard him before, but, man, he was. He was spot on with everything that he said. That was one of the best calls I've ever heard on the show, man. You know, I don't know who he is, but he knew what he was talking about. I like that. And let me tell you this, too. The. I want to talk to you about the show itself today a little bit, if I can. You got time for it? The, uh, comparing, you know, Saban first couple of years with the board's couple of years. That's, that's. That's comparing apples to oranges. We know what Saban took over when he got there. We know what Deborah took over when he got there. Totally different situation. You can't. You can't say, well, the record's almost the same thing.

[Caller E]

No.

[Caller F]

Well, yeah, it is sounds like the same thing, but the circumstances were completely different during that time, and I don't know if you people need to realize that or they start hitting out, you know, wins and losses and time periods and all that kind of thing. But what I want to talk to you about today, if you'll let me do it, and this is something that I don't normally do on your show. I, I love your, I like everybody on the show, you know, the callers and everybody. I like the way you handle that guy John today, South Carolina, I think it was. And I love hearing Ricky talk today. That's, that was a beautiful call from Rick, from, what was his name, Ricky, the guy. Robert. Robert, I think it was his name they called. It was a beautiful call anyway. And I like the way you handled that. But I want to talk to you about another caller and I don't normally do this because I know it's very popular thing to do on this show is a lot of times callers will call in and all they want to do is talk about other callers. They just want to trash them, you know, and all that kind of thing, you know. And I don't, I don't normally do that. I like talk outside the box a little bit, but there are a couple of them on here that do that.

[Paul Finebaum]

Swamped over. I hate to do this, but we are late for the break. If you could just get to your point, we would appreciate it. Okay. Apparently he's already gone. Why don't we do that? Because we are late for the break. More to come right after this.

[Show Producer/Announcer]

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[Paul Finebaum]

and AJ is up next. Good afternoon, AJ Life insurance is one

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[Paul Finebaum]

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[Caller E]

Oh, oh, oh.

[Caller G]

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[Paul Finebaum]

Auto Parts.

[Caller J]

Hey, Mr. Fine Mom. This is John from St. Louis. Can you hear me?

[Caller F]

Paul?

[Paul Finebaum]

You sound very, very faint.

[Caller G]

You know, this is beautiful thing because John called in yesterday just to prove that they actually do allow cell phones in prison systems. Appreciate the call, Mr. John. Hope you enjoyed your prison coffee this afternoon. And maybe you can get some cream and sugar in there to go, you know, you talking about prison, Paul, yesterday it was a big topic and you got to go to John. I mean, you know, he's not necessarily behind bars, Paul. What he is. He's in a prison. Of the thought that Missouri is going to be relevant as a football program in the next, heck, in my great, great great granddaughter's lifetime or something. I mean, come on, dude, it's Missouri. I mean, it's never gonna be anything but, you know, I can't help but just shell out.

[Caller E]

Let.

[Caller G]

Can I give out some Kleenex's today, Paul, off of what Kurt Signetti said and all these Bammers and these Georgians, the, you know, the little bulldogs with wash ragnar mouth like Daryl yesterday. And you got, you know, Brad over there complaining about how, you know, what happened. A sore loser is a sore loser. They can't admit, you know, things have changed. And it's not all about Georgia, it's not all about Alabama anymore. It's about a level playing field. The plane is evened out and so anybody. And so if I was Kirsten, Eddie, I would actually talk some smack too. You know, you got to back it up. But he's on top right now. I mean, he just took a broom and swept right through the sec and everybody talks about their schedules, everything like that. I mean, hell, he took their schedule. Maybe it was a light red schedule. But you know what? At the end of the day, he went to that wheat bread over there in the SEC and made it weak bread because he made an ass out of Everybody in the SEC and beat Alabama by 30. Alabama's kicking a field go, Paul, just to get 30 to 6.

[Caller E]

I can't.

[Caller G]

Oh my God, that's just hilarious. But then you got Paul, one thing you'd also have is a situation where who was the guy that called in? Oh, I know who it was. Nobody that made sense today on their calls because they were all weak and pathetic. All you callers need to step it up. Is talking season. It's right here. Football is about to be kicked off and y' all are still sitting there pantering or bantering over what happened last year, what who got paid this or who did this that the other. All y' all can sit all of yalls asses down. Wardam Eagle and watch out because Auburn's on the way. Flying in high.

[Paul Finebaum]

AJ I hate to correct you. Alabama lost by 35, not 30 to Indiana. Let me check in with Lane in Georgia. Hello Lane, good afternoon.

[Caller F]

Hey Paul, how you doing? Great. Got a question for you. When a university hires a coach or the coach is in place, what happens

[Caller H]

when an alumni or a big donor goes out and hires a team of

[Caller L]

mid 20 age players and they actually

[Caller F]

win a national championship? Do you actually think that coach is a great coach or is he just a token?

[Paul Finebaum]

Well, in the case of Signetti Lane, it took him two years. A lot of it is he moved his team from James Madison to Bloomington. That was a big help. Anybody can do that, by the way. But most, most wouldn't have thought to do it from that type of culture. And then he got very fortunate with a quarterback. You know, he had a good quarterback the first year, a great quarterback the second year in Fernando Mendoza. So I mean he's just made every right move. I don't think it's a fluke.

[Caller F]

Well, do you think they're going to

[Caller H]

be there again this year?

[Paul Finebaum]

They have the talent to be a contender. I don't. I misread them last year and so did everyone else. I'm not going to do that this time around. I think they're a top 10 team going into the season primarily because they got three of the top 10 players in the portal. They're still getting top commits from high school. So I feel like this program is in very good shape. The real issue they have is they're hunted now. They're no longer the Cinderella story. They're no longer everybody's favorite story of all time. And it will be a lot different. And that is usually where college programs are pro. I mean nobody repeats the super bowl anymore for a reason. A lot of times you don't even make the playoffs because the pressure is intense. Signetti is good enough. Is he good enough to overcome all of that? Jim is in Ohio. You're on the air. Hello, Jim.

[Caller N]

Hey, thanks for taking my call. Just my thought on the playoffs. My thinking and I want to get your opinion on it. My thinking is 16 teams, everybody plays the same number of games. There will be some mismatches, of course, but the teams that lose, they still had a good season and they can claim that they made the playoffs. And I just think that that would kind of even things out a little bit. What, what's your opinion, Jim?

[Paul Finebaum]

That is a great plan. I don't know. I think there will be a 16 team playoff, but I'm afraid it's going to be on the road to 24. But I want to caution you though, certain schools are going to make a lot out of going to a playoff. But that's the problem with this. It's not going to guarantee you much of anything. It may help you depending on if you're smu. It helped you a lot. If you're Clemson. You live off of any morsel of food that you can sink your teeth into. But it really didn't help Alabama a whole lot last year. It doesn't help everyone depending on it's, it's a really, it certainly hasn't helped Kirby Smart. He's won two consecutive SEC championships and you would never know it driving around the state of Georgia. All people talk about are the last two Sugar bowl losses up against the break. More to come. Final few minutes of the show. You want to get in your best and last shot. We'll be right back.

[Show Producer/Announcer]

You're listening to the Paul Finebaum show podcast.

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