Hour 1: Remembering a Legend

Summary

The Paul Finebaum Show – Hour 1: Remembering a Legend

Date: August 14, 2026
Host: Paul Finebaum (ESPN, College Football)
Theme: Remembrance of legendary LSU coach and athletic director Skip Bertman, with reflections on his life, legacy, and impact on college sports. Plus, discussion of SEC football, preseason polls, the College Football Playoff, and live calls.

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Overview

This episode is a heartfelt tribute to Skip Bertman—legendary LSU baseball coach and influential athletic director—who passed away at age 88. Host Paul Finebaum is joined by former player Ben McDonald and takes calls from listeners, blending in-depth reflection on Bertman’s impact with current headlines in college football, preseason rankings, and the drama of the evolving College Football Playoff. The tone is reverent and analytical, with memorable moments highlighting leadership, innovation, and the emotional ties in college sports.

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Key Segments & Discussion Points

Remembering Skip Bertman: Impact and Legacy

(00:49–09:44)

Paul Finebaum’s Tribute

• Announces the passing of Skip Bertman and frames his legacy: “Not only the greatest baseball coach, but also incredibly influential athletic director. Hiring Nick Saban at LSU, being there for two national championships… five championships in baseball and his impact on the sport, which so many people today are talking about.”
  — Paul Finebaum [00:49]

• Recalls Bertman’s achievements: 5 baseball national championships, 11 College World Series, hires of four title-winning coaches.

Ben McDonald’s Emotional Remembrance

• Shares personal story of visiting Bertman in his final hours:
  Quote: “He looked at me, he said, ‘It’s the bottom of the ninth.’ And I said, ‘Coach, I know it is, but you’ve won a lot of games in the bottom of the ninth. You can win this one, too.’… Three hours later, he was gone.” — Ben McDonald [02:45]

• Emphasizes Bertman’s innovations:

  • Revolutionized college baseball attendance and fan experience.
  • Introduced strength and mental coaches before it was common in the game.
  • Extreme attention to detail: “He had our assistant coach go walk around for two innings in the stands... He wanted fan experience to be good, and he wanted to know if the coffee and hot chocolate was hot enough for him.” [04:11]

• Personal mentorship:
  Quote: “I told somebody today, you know, Father Time is undefeated… but what also will be undefeated is Skip Bertman’s legacy.” — Ben McDonald [05:30]

• Bertman’s influence beyond coaching:
  “He was a guy that I could pick up the phone, man. I talked to him about my marriage… about my contract… Coach Bertman is the guy that got me in broadcasting 26 years ago.” [06:59]

Finebaum on Bertman and Saban

• Notes Bertman’s “guiding light” role for Nick Saban and managing Les Miles to a championship in 2007
  [09:46]

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Listener Tributes and Calls

(13:12–38:56)

• Atlanta Caller: Remembers Bertman’s integrity—benching Albert Belle for attitude, underlining Bertman’s leadership.
  “That’s a guy I would love to play for… I just want to give my condolences to the family and the LSU fan base because the guy was a great coach.” [13:12]

• Mary from Lake Charles: Shares lighter fare, recalling a favorite recent show segment.

• Travis from Mobile: Raises antitrust concerns about playoff access for ‘Group of Five’ schools (e.g., James Madison), paralleling ongoing playoff debates.
  Finebaum’s take: “Those schools do not belong… but that’s never stopped college athletics from letting in one from every column in the past.” [16:49]

• Jim from North Carolina: Attempts to argue ACC superiority over SEC based on recent records;
  Finebaum: “Those stats mean absolutely nothing. Nobody, no rational, reasonable person… would ever make the completely specious and utterly stupid argument that you just made.” [19:29]

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AP Poll, Preseason Rankings, and College Football Preview

(20:48–34:51)

Brett McMurphy (On3) Interview

• Highlights unpredictability of preseason polls:
  “Last year, 12 of the 25 teams in the preseason poll ended the year unranked… It’s basically a coin flip.” [21:19]

• McMurphy’s Top Pick:

  • Oregon #1:

    • Lost only to title-bound teams, returns key talent, poised for breakthrough.
    • “I could make a case for five or six teams to be number one, but you’ve got to pick somebody. So I went with Oregon.” [22:46]

  • Notre Dame:

    • Easy schedule, Heisman frontrunner CJ Carr, “must avoid back-to-back losses to BYU or Miami.” [24:46]
    • Explains weird playoff scenario where ND could get in ahead of a team that beat them due to committee format.

  • SEC Power Polling:

    • Georgia and Texas as “usual suspects.”
    • Ole Miss at #9, possibly best QB/RB duo in the nation, key matchup with LSU.
    • Emphasizes schedule difficulty and playoff committee considerations.
    • Alabama at #20: “I think they have slipped… It’s just weird for… Bama to only be considered maybe the 6th, 7th or 8th best team in the SEC.” [29:32]

• On College Football Playoff Expansion:

  • No momentum for more than 12 teams while SEC refuses to agree to 24-game schedules:
    “It’s not going to change until the SEC is on board with 24… Until then, it stays at 12.” [32:00]

• On College Sports Act (Senate):

  • “I’m not optimistic. I’m pessimistic. This thing does not get done… Politics does not have SEC speed.” [33:58]

Notable Quotes

• “You could make a case for Ole Miss being behind [Texas A&M and Oklahoma] and I’d have no problem with it. That’s how close these teams are.” — Brett McMurphy [27:10]
• “If Signetti wins a repeat national championship, I’ll be the first one to donate to a statue… in Bloomington.” — Brett McMurphy [23:49]

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Listener Reactions to Polls and SEC Prognostication

(35:16–38:56)

• Victor (San Antonio): Skeptical of experts ranking Alabama low (#20 or #9 in SEC). Challenges guest analysts’ credentials and defends Alabama’s prospects, citing new coach Kalen DeBoer’s previous O-line success at Washington.

  • “That guy is smoking something… I guarantee you Alabama is not going to finish 20th in the country.” [35:30]

• Finebaum presses for specifics:

  • “Who’s going to be the thousand yard running back for Alabama?” [38:36]
  • Victor: “I’m high on E.J. Crowell. I think it’s going to be running back by committee.” [38:54]

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Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Ben McDonald’s hospital farewell with Bertman:
  “He looked at me, he said, ‘It’s the bottom of the ninth.’ … That’s how I left him. And three hours later, he was gone.” [02:45]

• On legacy:
  “Father Time is undefeated, and he always will be. But what also will be undefeated is Skip Bertman’s legacy.” — Ben McDonald [05:30]

• On fan experience:
  “He wanted to know if the coffee and hot chocolate was hot enough… that’s what kind of guy he was.” — Ben McDonald [04:11]

• Preseason polls:
  “It’s basically a coin flip.” — Brett McMurphy [21:37]

• Finebaum rebukes ACC argument:
  “No rational, reasonable person that understands college football would ever make the completely specious and utterly stupid argument that you just made.” [19:29]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:49 – Paul announces Skip Bertman's passing
• 02:28 – Ben McDonald shares personal stories and impact
• 06:16 – Bertman's innovations & coaching style (Ben McDonald)
• 09:46 – Bertman’s administrative role, influence on Saban
• 13:12 – Listener tributes to Bertman
• 16:49 – Playoff access, antitrust discussion
• 19:29 – SEC vs. ACC argument and rebuke
• 21:19 – Brett McMurphy on preseason AP poll accuracy
• 22:46 – McMurphy makes the case for Oregon and Notre Dame
• 29:32 – Why Bama is ranked #20
• 32:00 – CFP expansion stalemate
• 33:58 – College Sports Act pessimism
• 35:25 – Victor from San Antonio calls out preseason rank critics
• 38:36 – Alabama’s running back situation debated

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Conclusion & Takeaways

• This hour was both a moving tribute to Skip Bertman—a giant in college sports—and an engaging exploration of current debates in college football.
• Bertman’s influence stretched from the diamond to the athletic department and well into the lives and careers of those he mentored.
• The show moved seamlessly from reflection to “the state of the game,” analyzing preseason hype, the new playoff landscape, and ongoing SEC rivalries.
• Listener contributions, both reverent and fiery, kept the show lively and grounded in the passions that drive the sport.
• Ultimately, the legacy of leaders like Bertman provides inspiration and context for today’s college football dramas and debates, reminding listeners of the enduring power of character, innovation, and tradition.

Transcript

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[Paul Feinbaum]

Pride, passion and pageantry of college football lives here. This is the Paul Feinbaum show, our 1 podcast.

[Movie Trailer Narrator]

This might be college football.

[Paul Feinbaum]

And good afternoon and welcome in on this Friday afternoon and we bring you very sad news from Baton Rouge. One of the legendary figures in the history of college sports, Skip Burtman, has passed away at the age of 88. Not only the greatest baseball coach, but also incredibly influential athletic director. Hiring Nick Saban at lsu, being there for two national championships. But it was the five championships in baseball and his impact on the sport, which so many people today are talking about. In memory of a true legend, Skip Ertman, dead at the age of 88 years old. Look at that record, just unparalleled. So many national championships, five in all, 11 College World Series hired four coaches who won titles, including another baseball coach at LSU, Paul Manieri. And it was just not only the championships and the greatness, but the personal charm and charisma that will forever be remembered. Ben McDonald, among the very best who ever played in an LSU uniform for Skip. Ben, thank you very much. I know you and your friends and teammates and so many other people have been thinking about nothing else since late last night. But good afternoon. We'd love to hear your thoughts.

[Ben McDonald]

Good afternoon, Paul. Always good to be with you. Hate under these circumstances, but yeah, man, it's, I woke up to a text about 1:30 this morning that we had lost Coach Burtman. And it's been tough for a lot of people, you know, and it's just, it's just a tough day. And I was just so fortunate. I'm on the road a lot, Paul and, and I got home just about 36 hours ago from a road trip with the Orioles. And I got a phone call last night about 8:30 from Jay Johnson, head coach, LSU baseball, saying Skip's not doing well. And so I just jumped in the truck and took off, went over to Baton Rouge and got over to Baton Rouge to the hospital about 9:30 last night and, and I saw one of his daughters and I said, I, I got to go see coach. I, I have to. And went there and spent about three minutes with him and just to tell him I loved him and I appreciated everything and you know, we chit. Chatted for two or three minutes, and Paul, he said, you know, he looked at me, he said, it's the bottom of the ninth. And I said, coach, I know it is, but you've won a lot of games in the bottom of the ninth. I said, you can win this one, too. And that's how I left him. And three hours later, he was gone. And so it's. I'm very emotional, talks about it. It's a really tough day, but it's. What a legacy, man. I tell people all the time, this guy changed college baseball. He totally changed the way people think about college baseball and the fannies he put in his seats, and he believed he put a good product on the field, that you could get big crowds in SEC baseball back in the mid-80s, you know, when he took over at LSU. And LSU has been able to do that, you know, but it was more than just the baseball side of it, Paul. It was just a great guy, a great coach. It taught us all so many lessons in life. I heard you talk about the athletic. A lot of people don't talk about his tenure as athletic director. It's arguably the best athletic director in LSU sports history with the success that he had the national titles, too. And so to me, it was just a guy that. It changed the game in so many ways with Gorilla ball and the thinking. And Paul, I can remember his attention to detail reminds me of a guy that would come along a little bit later that you know very well in Nick Saban. Of course, Skip hired Nick Saban to come to LSU back in the day, and. But I can remember him telling our assistant coach when I was in uniform back my sophomore year at lsu, hey, I want you to go into the stands in the third and fourth inning, and I want to find out. It was a cold February night. I want to know if the hot chocolate's hot enough, and I want to know if the coffee's hot enough. And he had our assistant coach go walk around for two innings in the stands back in 1988 because he. He had attention to detail about everything, and he wanted to know if the fans. He wanted fan experience to be good, and he want to know if the coffee and the hot chocolate was hot enough for him, you know, and so that's what kind of guy he was, you know, and he. So much about him. I told somebody today, I said, you know, father Time is undefeated, and he always will be. But what also will be undefeated is Skip Bergman's legacy. And what he did at LSU as a coach, to all the lives that he touched, what he did as athletic director, that that will always be undefeated, too. And so while it's a very emotional day, a sad day, it's very bittersweet for me.

[Paul Feinbaum]

You know, we're just remembering Skip and Ben. I want to just keep drilling down on just the impact that he had, certainly on everyone that came in contact with him, but the influence as well every year when we go to Hoover. It's just hard to imagine that event and the SEC being so dominant in baseball without Skip Bertman's fingerprints all over it 100%.

[Ben McDonald]

I mean, I tell people this all the time. It was Ron Polk back in the mid-80s that put SEC baseball on the map, of course, with Palomaro Clark and thick film. But then it was Skip Bergman that came along and, and took it to the apex, took it to the very top, you know, of.

[Caller - Atlanta]

Of.

[Ben McDonald]

Of college baseball. And that's where the SEC still sits today, is at the very, very top, as you know. You know, and so he was just so far ahead of his time. I mean, look, he was the first guy back in the late 80s, early 90s that hired a strength coach just for the. Nobody lifted weights back in the late 80s in baseball, but that was taboo. Nobody thought about that. But Skip Bergman had a vision. He was the first guy that hired a mental strength coach back in the early 90s for his teams. Nobody was doing that at the time. You know, he wasn't afraid to take chances. He wasn't afraid to do different things. And that's what I think made him great. He just wasn't afraid to take chances and to explore things a little bit. Bit and think outside the box. And he did that so many different times. And he just had a vision when he got to lsu and he always told the story. He said, when I got to lsu, he said there were more pigeons in the stands than there were people. He said the only people ever showed up for baseball games were girlfriends and moms and dads. That was it. But he believed that if you put a good product out there, that if you build it, that you could fill up seats. And people told him he was crazy. People told him he was absolutely crazy that you couldn't get 10,000 people in Alex Box Stadium back in late 80s. And he said, I think I can, and I'll tell you, I'm going to be able, able to do it. Well, I mean, look, the LSU's led the nation in attendance, I don't know, 30, 30 some odd consecutive years or something, you know, and so it's. It's a heck of a life, man. It's a heck of a career. And, you know, I try to think about all the people that have been touched by this guy. You mentioned the coaching tree. You mentioned all the former players that have. That have stayed in contact with Coach. But it was more than just baseball to me. It was. He was a guy that I could pick up the phone, man. I talked to him about my marriage when I had marriage with problems. I talked to him about my contract when I had contract problems. And you'll appreciate this story, too, Paul. Coach Bourbon's the guy that got me in broadcasting 26 years ago. I was retired at 30 years old, injuries that ended my career. And he said, what are you going to do now? And I said, coach, I. I don't know what I'm going to do. I'm coaching my daughter in travel ball right now. I'm enjoying that. And he said, you know what you'd be good at? I said, what's that, Coach? He said, you'd be a great broadcaster. I said, coach, I didn't even graduate from lsu. I said, I don't know anything about broadcast. And he said, no. But he said, ben, you know the game and you can tell stories, and you're a great storyteller, and you got a lot of experience. He said, I'm calling Cox Sports Television tomorrow. I'm going to talk to the president of Cox Sports Television. He said, I think you'd be a wonderful broadcaster. I said, coach, if you think that's the right move. And of course, I trusted him. He said, I know it is. And sure enough, the next day, the president of Cox Sports Television, because that's from way before the SEC Network, obviously, and LSU was playing, playing on cock sports television 12 times a year. The president calls me up, he says, you're our new analyst, and we start in a couple of months. And that's where it all began for me. So not many people know that, but Coach Bergman is the guy. Not only that it shaped my career and my future as a ball player, but he also is the guy that got me into broadcasting as well.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Man, I can't thank you enough. I know how difficult it is. We can hear it in your voice, but we deeply appreciate you sharing your thoughts and memories of. Of Coach Burtman. Be well and look forward to seeing you soon.

[Ben McDonald]

All right, Paul, take care.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Thank you very much. Ben McDonald talking about the great Skip Berman. I want to just go back to something I said earlier. And this is always a little tricky sometimes. Technically, Joe Dean was the athletic director, I believe when Coach Saban was hired, Skip Burtman was still the baseball coach. But Saban always talked about Skip Burtman as being the guiding light for his tenure at lsu, which everyone knows was incredibly successful. And Skip somehow even managed Les Miles during a rocky season to a national championship in 2007. Much more about Skip Burtman and calls from you as well on the legendary LSU coach.

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[Paul Feinbaum]

You're listening to the Paul Feinbomb show podcast.

Little excerpt about the documentary on Coach Burtman and we will talk more about him as we work our way through the fri this Friday afternoon. Let's talk about some other stories making news since we last saw you. Brett McMurphy as his AP top 25 ballot that comes out next week. Brett will join us in a few minutes. Meanwhile, the College Football Playoff chase impacted by a number of key players and will be none bigger than former Auburn wide receiver Cam Coleman. Speaking of the Tigers, Kevin Skarbinsky is Auburn, the new Indiana. Put your seatbelts on. Skarbinski's got the story for us. There you go, Rabelais joining us later. More on Skip Bertman and the second day cleanup of Jayden Daniels. I was on a Show in Washington, D.C. this morning and naturally that was the topic of the day. I think it's gotten worse since then. Did I read somewhere where Jade Jaden has asked his teammates to respect that by not high fiving him after Big players. There weren't a lot of high fives last year. Anyway, Jaydn, let's get to the calls and G starts it off for us from Atlanta.

[Caller - Atlanta]

Hey, Paul, thanks for taking my call. First of all, Paul, I want to give my condolences to the family of Skip and to his fans, to the LSU program and to especially the number one fan, Mr. Iggy. I know he's very high, Paul. I know baseball was my favorite sport growing up. And I could remember getting out of high school back in the 80s and everything. And I was looking at that guy, coach, and he had a superstar, this team by the name of Albert Bell. And Albert was all world, as you can know, when he got to the Indians and Braves played him in the playoffs, I mean, the World Series in 95. But the way Berman set him down and kicked this Mr. Mouth to team because, you know, attitude on the field and everything. And I said to myself, you know what? I don't know that guy, but that's a guy I would love that play for. And like I said, Paul, I just want to give my condolences to the family and to the LSU fan base because the guy was a great coach. Thanks for taking my call, Paul.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Thank you very, very much. Mary is up next in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

[Caller - Lake Charles]

Good afternoon, Paul. How are you?

[Paul Feinbaum]

We are doing great, thank you.

[Caller - Lake Charles]

Yesterday I tried calling, but it was too late. Today I watched the episode with Chef Elizabeth. Oh my. Go and watch it with me. We enjoyed that so much. I don't think we've laughed that much in a long time. It was great. We were wondering if there's a way to, to find that episode again because my daughter and granddaughter need to see it.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Yeah. Let me direct you to the ESPN app, which is pretty easy to find on ESPN.com so Jamari, how do you find it once you get to the app? Okay. Okay. Go to the app and then type in the Paul Feinbaum show and it should bring up Thursday's show. And Elizabeth was on what, in the final hour or the third hour? She was on during the third hour. So I know it sounds complicated, but it really isn't. So that's how you find it.

[Caller - Lake Charles]

Okay. Thank you so much. I enjoyed it so much. Fun, fun.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Mary, you be well.

Yeah.

Elizabeth, appreciate it. Elizabeth's pretty amazing. I mean, she's just got so much energy. Just so deaf, so self deprecating. It's really fun to talk to her. Travis in Mobile, Alabama, you're on the air.

[WNBA Announcer]

Yes, Paul, how are you doing today?

[Paul Feinbaum]

Travis, we are doing great, right?

[WNBA Announcer]

Yes. Paul, I would like to know your thoughts on the possible antitrust issues if the, if the group of five schools are ever let out of the playoffs. Because as a fan I don't want to see James Madison, you know, in the, in the, in the playoff. I don't think anybody wants to see that except for James Madison fans. But I think the reason why they would they will never be excluded is because of antitrust issues. And I think they will have a good case in terms of the money that they will be missing out on. And I've been a long time listener and so I really miss Tammy and I miss Phyllis and so what do you think Phyllis would be saying about Coach DeBoer? Thanks and you have a great day.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Thank you very much. Phyllis would be defending coach DeBoer Travis. She was loyal and would be standing up for Coach DeBoer every step of the way. As far as the antitrust issue, I think you're right. Some $2,000 an hour Wall street antitrust lawyer advised the CFP to let in the James Madison's of the world to prevent that type of a mass lawsuit. It's pretty revolting to me because those schools do not belong. They have nothing to do with the best 12 in the country. But that's never stopped college athletics from letting in one from every column in the past. Thank you so much for the call. Let me check in with Jim in North Carolina. Hey Jim.

[Brett McMurphy]

Hey Paul.

[Caller - North Carolina]

How are you doing today, sir?

[Paul Feinbaum]

We're doing great.

[Caller - North Carolina]

A lot of talk going on about, you know, who's the best conference, Big Ten, SEC and acc. And that other one, I forget what it's called but anyway, only way you can really tell who's the best is

[Ben McDonald]

what to do it.

[Caller - North Carolina]

You know who was the best last year was look at the records last year. And you can't really go by these preseason polls and I was just looking at some of the games last year and the SEC versus the acc. Do you know what the record was against them?

[Paul Feinbaum]

I do not.

[Caller - North Carolina]

SEC won five games and ACC won eight games and accident had a Miami in the national championship game. So I would think that the Big Ten would be the best conference last year. ACC would be number two and then the SEC would be number three. And ever since Saban has left Alabama has dropped complete. I'm not dropped out completely but they, they're about, you know, a little better than an average team. And it's just, you know, just, just my looking at the acc, I know it's. It's a lot weaker than the SEC top to bottom. But if you look at what this record was last year, your three, three of your big teams, Alabama, Mississippi and Texas A and M were.03 against the ACC. So just want to say, I bet old Chris from Columbia would like to from South Carolina would like to hear that. But the SEC was five wins and eight losses against the acc. And y' all have a good day today. Take care.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Well, thank you. Thank you, Jim. Yeah, those stats mean absolutely nothing. I think everybody knows that the ACC is not even close to being a better league. The ACC isn't even the third best league in college football. It's a good league. You know, smu, Miami, those are really good schools. But after that, it gets pretty average. You can use statistics to win any argument, but nobody, no rational, reasonable person that understands college football would ever make the completely specious and utterly stupid argument that you just made. We'll take a short break. We are coming back with much more right after this.

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[Paul Feinbaum]

You're listening to the Paul Feinbaum show podcast.

I found the the coaches poll to be pretty mundane, and I don't think it's going to resemble what the AP poll shows, but what do I know? Why don't we talk to an AP voter, Brett McMurphy from On3 joining us. Brett, good afternoon. I was really stunned reading you a minute ago. And I want you to expound on this, what the AP poll means and how little accuracy it often has, especially last year. Good afternoon.

[Brett McMurphy]

Yeah, Paul, for everyone that gets all fired up about where their team is or isn't ranked, just keep in mind that last year, 12 of the 25 teams in the preseason poll ended the year unranked. And to go a little bit further every year but two, in the last 20, 21 years, you have had at least one team that started in the top 10 that finished the season unranked. Last year you had three. Number two Penn State, number four Clemson, and number nine, LSU all started in the top 10. All were nowhere to be found when the rankings really count. So I know everyone gets all jacked up when the rankings come out. This Team is too high, this team is too low, but basically it's a coin flip, you know, and this trend is not just started this year. It's gone on for several years where you have a minimum of probably like 10 to 15 teams every year in the preseason that start in the top 25, that end up out of the top 25.

[Paul Feinbaum]

You know, I think the year before, I remember Florida State was in there. They didn't, they were nowhere to be found. So let me ask you, let's start, let's start with your list because you are a voter. The rest of us are just observers. And this is a big moment. The USA Today poll came out a couple of days ago and we pay attention to it, but this one really seems important. So who do you have at the top?

[Brett McMurphy]

Well, Paul, I have Oregon. And look, you know, I have Oregon, but I could, honestly put, I could make a case for five or six teams to be number one, but you've got to pick somebody. So I went with Oregon. Dante Moore's back. You know, they've got new coordinators, so that, that could be a challenge. But you look at Oregon and you know, their kryptonite has been the inability to basically beat the team that gets to the national title game in the last three years. They're 38 now against teams that did not play for the national title, but they're on five against the other guys. They lost twice to the runner up, Washington in 2023, lost at Ohio State, the champ in 24, eventual champ, and then lost to Indiana twice last year. They have a ton of talent that came back, decided not to go to the NFL. And I think because they've gotten so close, I think you see this probably more in other sports, that teams, you know, are gradually there. And then finally at that breakthrough, I think Oregon's ready for that breakthrough. The schedules, you know, it's manageable. And again, we're not in the 14 playoffs format anymore, so you do not have to win your conference to get into the playoff. So, look, I like Oregon, but I could have, I could, I could make the same argument for Ohio State, for Georgia, for Notre Dame, Texas. I don't think Indiana is going to repeat. We haven't had, we've only had two repeat champions in 30 years. If, if Signetti wins a repeat national championship, I'll be the first one to donate to a statute statue to be built immediately in Bloomington. But I went with Oregon over those other schools I just named. But I really think they're, they're bunched very closely.

[Paul Feinbaum]

I'm really intrigued by Notre Dame. Their schedule is fairly simple. They have the player at quarterback, they have the coach, they have a lot of other pieces. Talk about them for a moment.

[Brett McMurphy]

Yeah, I mean, see, I mean depending on where you're, where you look, CJ Carr is either the favorite or the second favorite behind Arch Manning to win the Heisman Trophy. And you know, stop me if you heard this before, but basically they have a two game season and last year they lost their two games to Texas A and M and Miami. This year they get BYU and Miami as their two high profile games. They're on the back end of the season, so if they get out of the gate slow, they won't be, they won't be penalized. But with that lack of a strength of schedule they will have, they can't go 02 against BYU in Miami. There be like a 10 point favorite at BYU. They're about a 7 point home favorite against Miami. Big revenge spot I received for what happened on the field and then not getting in the playoff last year. But as I said, CJ Carr, either the Heisman favorite or second choice right now, and defensively, Leonard Moore, their cornerback, arguably the nation's top defensive back. And a lot of people around South Bend think this is, and I agree that this is the most talented team Marcus Freeman has had in South Bend. You know, the question is can, can you get past, you know, you can't, you can split BYU in Miami. You can't get swept because obviously they don't have a conference title game to bail them out. But you know, and then they also had the caveat if they rank in the top 12, which is this, you know, I know you love, love when these things happen. I do too. There's a scenario where Notre Dame could lose to BYU and in the final ranking, BYU could be number 11 and Notre Dame could be number 12. But because Notre Dame is guaranteed a spot, is a top 12 team, depending on who the Power Four conference champions are and where they rank. If they're out of the top 12, you could have BYU at number 11, not get into the playoffs with a head to head win over Notre Dame. But Notre Dame would get in at number 12 because they are guaranteed a bid because, well, they're Notre Dame talking to Brett McMurphy.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Brett, let me, let's talk about the SEC for a second. And certainly you have Georgia, Texas, all the usual suspects. How do you differentiate? Especially after Georgia and Texas

[Brett McMurphy]

draw names out of a hat? Pretty much. I mean, again, it's so close. You're, it's such a thin margin there. I had Ole Miss at number nine. You know, I really, I think Trinidad, Chambliss and Lacy give Ole Miss arguably the top quarterback running back duo in the country. Obviously the week three against lsu, the game of the millennium, you know, we'll see how that pans out. But I just think, you know, they are just so, so talented right now. I give them the slightest of edge, I would put Texas A and M and Oklahoma behind them very closely. But again, you could, you could make a case for Ole Miss being behind those two and I'd have no problem with it. I think, I think that's, that's how close all these teams are. Paul, I think the biggest thing and you know, we'll find out how this plays out. You know, everybody in Tampa at SEC media days, not everybody, not John Summerall was belly aching about the nine game schedule. And I think that's going to have a real impact on the SEC because when you look at basically the top nine teams projected to be the top nine teams in the sec, Texas has to play six of those other eight teams and plus Ohio State. So how much will the committee value the strength of schedule? We'll have to find out. But we've just this schedule. I agree with the coaches. This is the toughest schedule they've ever had. Nobody outside the SEC wants to hear that, but I think that's going to play a big part on how these teams finish up in the rankings is basically who you drew and maybe who you didn't draw on your schedule.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Talking to Brett, let me get to Alabama. And as we're talking about Alabama, some bad news coming in for the Crimson Tide already. AK Deer running back who looked very good in the scrimmage yesterday, left with an injury that according to coaches will miss time. Not season ending, but significant time, which is never a good thing for a team that has really struggled at the running back and offensive line position. Forgetting all that for just a second, how do you figure out Alabama right now which you you have, I think at 20, is that right?

[Brett McMurphy]

Yeah, I have, I have them at 20. Before, you know, please listeners, put down your tomatoes before you start firing them at me. You know, in the college football Bama had never ranked lower than number three until just a few years ago. And then they were fourth in 2023, fifth in 20, eighth in 2025. I'm pretty confident they're not going to be in the top 10. So there's a trend here that's not why I put them at 20 last year. They couldn't run the ball and they were by Florida State, Georgia and Indiana. I was at the Rose bowl loss to Indiana and actually felt bad for Bama. I just can't remember the last time I saw Bama dominated in that fashion. Multiple times in the same season. And like I said, that was last year. But this year there are questions at quarterback and this doesn't even include the. The running back injury. I'm not even counting that. But there's questions. You know, who's going to be quarterback? The offensive line is a huge question. You know, specifically can Bama's running game, is it going to still be on the back of a milk carton? Can anyone find a running game? And then defensively for the top defensive linemen are off to the NFL or went to the transfer portal. I still think a lot of Alabama, I just, I think they have slipped. And that's not a slide against Caitlin DeBoer. That's not a slide against their team. I just think other teams have risen above them. With all that said, I think they should start 5, 0 and then they have a stretch of five consecutive games where they'll either be an underdog or a small favorite and that will determine if you know if it's a successful season or not. And keep in mind, last year Indiana started the season ranked number 20 and all they did was win a national title. For me, it's just weird for such and I'm sure for you too. For such a long time, Bama was considered Asian's top three team, top three or four teams every single year. And now they're only considered maybe the sixth, seventh or eighth best team in the SEC. So that, that's why I put him down at 20. And the best, best thing of all, Paul, is you know what? I may be wrong.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Always. Hey, Brad, before you go, let me get to some other issues in college athletics. First, the CFP. We woke up Monday hearing 20. We haven't heard that since. What is your best guess from your sources on where that dilemma or impasse currently stands?

[Brett McMurphy]

Yeah, Paul, kind of like back when I saw you in Tampa at SEC media days until the SEC is comfortable going to 24 and I don't know if they ever will be, but until they are, it's going to stay at 12 games so people can float up, you know, 16, 20, 21, 22, 138. It doesn't matter. It's not going to change until the SEC is on board with 24. And I'm not saying they will or they won't, but the Big Ten is not coming off 24. They've made that very clear for a long time. So all these different reports that come out about, well, there's, look, there's conversations about everything, okay? Just because people talk about it doesn't mean it has a chance to happen. Nothing's going to happen until they can agree on 24. And until then, if you like a 12 game playoff, then 12, excuse me, 12 team playoff, then you're in luck because I don't think they're going to agree. And I think this is going to go on for a while at 12 teams. But ultimately money will determine everything. And if they can come to an agreement, it financially makes sense, then they will go to 24. I do not see any other number out there.

[Paul Feinbaum]

And Brad, before you go, a week ago at this very moment, there was still some optimism, perhaps fake optimism, but optimism that sometime later on Friday night or early Saturday morning, the Senate might do something it has never done, pass a College Sports Act. Since then, I have not heard a lot of optimism. I've heard the usual rhetoric from people like Ted Cruz, the usual spin from people close to Republican senators. What are you sensing right now, probably three and a half weeks away from the Senate reconvening and dealing with the College Sports Act?

[Brett McMurphy]

Paul, just think, if you would have made a different career choice, you could have been front and center with all this.

[Paul Feinbaum]

How exciting.

[WNBA Announcer]

Paul.

[Brett McMurphy]

Yeah, maybe that's why you didn't do it. I'm not optimistic. I'm pessimistic. This thing does not get done because all you hear is from the people at the forefront that are trying to push this through, that we're going to get this through. Trump's going to go on game day and announce it and all that. But then, you know, as you see other reports from, from respected people out there that, that are in politics that don't have a dog in the fight and they're kind of like, yeah, this is really not a priority. This, this thing ain't going to happen. I kind of side with that. It's politics. It moves as fast as is mud, which is not fast at all. Let's just say politics does not have SEC speed. Getting something passed does not have SEC speed. I'm very pessimistic. This thing gets done and then we go back and try to figure something else out down the road.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Always. Great, Brett, we'll see you soon. Thanks so much for the time. Good to See you in Tampa. Brett McMurphy from On3. We will take a break. Still plenty of time for you to get on Board at 855-242-7285. We will have a number of guests as well. Your phone calls when we come back.

You're listening to the Paul Feinbaum Show

Podcast and welcome back. Let's check in with Victor in San Antonio. Good afternoon, Victor.

[Caller - San Antonio]

Hey, how you doing, Paul? Thanks. Thanks for taking my call.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Thank you.

[Caller - San Antonio]

Hey, I just want to talk about these so called expert prognosticators that you've had on the last few days. That guy you just had on voted Alabama 20th in the country on his preseason poll. That guy is smoking something. Wished I had some of it. Tell him to send me some because I guarantee you Alabama is not going to finish 20th in the country.

[Brett McMurphy]

And you think that's too high?

[Caller - San Antonio]

Had. What's that?

[Paul Feinbaum]

You think that's too high?

[Caller - San Antonio]

Yeah. Yeah, that's a little too high, Paul.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Wow.

[Caller - San Antonio]

No, no, we're gonna, we're gonna, we're gonna finish higher than that, I guarantee you. But then you had the, the local reporter on from the Tuscaloosa News. What was that guy's name? Chase Cornbread.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Close Chase. Good Chase. Good bread.

[Caller - San Antonio]

Good bread. Okay, my bad. That guy couldn't have said more about nothing even if he tried yesterday. And I read the Lindy's SEC report, I could have gave you a better preview of Alabama for 2026 than that guy did. But also, I don't know if you've heard of Michael Bratton's preseason poll. Have not got Alabama ranked ninth in the sec.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Okay.

[Caller - San Antonio]

Have you, have you seen his, his.

[Paul Feinbaum]

No. So, so you're talking about nine out of 16?

[Caller - San Antonio]

Yes.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Wow. Haven't heard that. Didn't know Bradley put that out. Okay.

[Caller - San Antonio]

He's got Tennessee ranked fourth, I believe.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Okay.

[Caller - San Antonio]

But I'll bet Michael Bratton a case of his favorite beer that Alabama is not going to finish ninth in the sec. I guarantee that.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Well, let me ask you what, where your confidence comes from, what you have just said about Alabama.

[Caller - San Antonio]

Well, I think there's a lot of questions about the offensive line, but I think a lot of people Forget in Calyn DeBoer's last year out at Washington, I believe his offensive line won that award for the best offensive line in the country.

[Paul Feinbaum]

So that sounds great, Victor, but what in the world does it have to do with 2026?

[Caller - San Antonio]

Well, it has a lot to do with 2026 because I'm confident that he's. That him him and Ryan Grubb are going to get the O line fixed.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Really?

[Caller - San Antonio]

We are loaded at running back. I mean, it's unfortunate AK Deer went down and hopefully he'll be back soon. But we're still loaded at running back, we're loaded at receiver, we're loaded at quarterback. So as long as we get the O line fixed.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Hey Victor, who is your. Who's. Who's going to be the thousand yard running back for Alabama? Do you know?

[Caller - San Antonio]

Well, I don't know if we're going to have a thousand yard running back,

[Paul Feinbaum]

but, well, maybe 500 yards.

[Caller - San Antonio]

I'm high. I'm high on E.J. crowell.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Okay.

[Caller - San Antonio]

I think it's going to be running back by committee.

[Paul Feinbaum]

We'll take. We'll be right back.

You're listening to the Paul Feinbaum Show Podcast.

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