Paul Finebaum criticizes CFP bye system, singles out Arizona State and Boise state

Paul Finebaum criticizes the CFP bye system, arguing that Boise State and Arizona State should not have received awards.

“I think you have to remember that two of those bye teams really had no business getting byes, and that was the ultimate flaw in the system.”

Paul Finebaum is demanding change despite the fact that the College Football Playoff saw all four of the top seeds eliminated in their opening game or games.

Finebaum advocating for change in college Football

Since the field was first revealed last month, Finebaum has become the most vocal opponent of the College Football Playoff and its committee. And despite the fact that some of his selected narratives regarding the SEC’s dominance and the teams that did not belong have crumbled, he has persisted in criticizing the playoffs.

Finebaum still took a shot at Boise State and Arizona State, two teams that were given byes for winning their conferences, even though it is unlikely that the seeding scheme will change for 2025.

Even after the Sun Devils narrowly defeated Texas with a contentious targeting no-call and a 4th and 13 conversion, he used what he considered to be the “ultimate flaw” in the system to attack the two schools.

“I think you have to remember that two of those bye teams really had no business getting byes, and that was the ultimate flaw in the system,” Finebaum said Friday, as covered by On3. “Arizona State and Boise State should not have — should have been playing on the road the very first weekend, and we wouldn’t even have this conversation.

“But Oregon is an outlier. It has been a problem for that program. It’s been such a great program, but in the big games — last year, of course, twice against Washington and this year, the second game against Ohio State; they really just could not get it done.”

Paul Finebaum believes the automatic bye system is the ‘ultimate flaw’ in the College Football Playoff:

“I think you have to remember that two of those bye teams really had no business getting byes, and that was the ultimate flaw in the system. Arizona State and Boise State… pic.twitter.com/3BCQzznIts

— On3 (@On3sports) January 3, 2025

Why are Boise State and Arizona State being singled out on a weekend when all four of the teams that received a bye lost? Another example of the well-known pattern of giving the haves all the fictitious credit in the world while denying the have-nots any credit at all.

Just a few weeks ago, Finebaum attacked SMU and Indiana, scolding the committee for providing fans with “blockbusters.” A few hours later, Tennessee traveled to Columbus and lost badly to Ohio State. Amazingly, the Indiana team that received a lot of flak for losing in South Bend ended up finishing closer to Notre Dame than Georgia, the SEC champion, at a neutral location.

Even though he raised the white flag in support of Alabama this week, the veteran ESPN college football analyst, who frequently represents the SEC, has discovered problems with the CFP format at almost every stage. He claims that an All-Big Ten College Football Playoff championship game could “change the paradigm of college football” and could be a nightmare scenario for SEC nation this year.

And there may be another Big Ten school that didn’t even qualify for the playoff to thank for that.

“But ultimately, the team that I think that hasn’t been mentioned yet, that deserves the most credit, is Michigan,” Finebaum added, per On3. “That win against Ohio State did something to Ryan Day and his program that I can’t explain, but it may be the story of the CFP this year if Ohio State can win it all.”

In the end, Finebaum’s annoyance with the system’s seeding, byes, and perceived “flaws” might have more to do with the SEC’s postseason performance than anything else.