Paul Finebaum on SEC schedule: ‘They really don’t care what the optics are’

If one thing was accomplished at the SEC spring meetings in Destin, FL, it was finally figuring out how many conference games will be played in the 2024 season, the first in which Texas and Oklahoma will be apart of. After longstanding arguments for both eight or nine games, the league decided to remain at eight, where they’ve been for a while, for at least the 2024 season and are likely to re-open discussions about the permanent scheduling model next offseason.

On this week’s rotation of daily ESPN shows, SEC Network analyst Paul Finebaum has made the rounds to share what information he’s heard regarding the scheduling as well as to explain the thought process behind the decision to stay at eight.

On SportsCenter, host Matt Barrie pushed Finebaum a bit, asking how the SEC can take the optics hit of adding more teams but not adding more games.

“Optics, though. Because if you add Texas and Oklahoma, two traditional powers in college football — the SEC, from outsiders, get picked at quite a bit. With the optics of staying at eight, do you think that’s going to be a one-year stint before they move to that nine? Because you can’t add two powers and keep it at eight,” asserted Berrie.

Finebaum didn’t disagree with Barrie’s sentiment, but shared that the SEC doesn’t really give a rat’s tail what the country thinks of their scheduling model given the success the league has had over the last couple decades.

“I agree with you, Matt. But being down in Destin with all the coaches and ADs and presidents — they really don’t care what the optics are, because they are the SEC and they’ve won 13 of the last 17 national championships, including four straight. And then Commissioner Sankey told me…hey, the optics weren’t too bad out in LA a couple months ago when Georgia was eviscerating TCU 65-7.”

Barrie too admitted that the results speak for themselves and they likely will again this winter.

“That’s just it. They can schedule all they want. When it comes down to the playoff, it’s gonna be something the SEC typically does, which is make it into the National Championship games. I love the no divisions, it’s gonna be good for the conference.”

Whether it’s eight or nine games for each team during actual conference play, it’s likely to matter very little once the SEC gets to the postseason.

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