ESPN’s reject Paul Finebaum upsets in college football this weekend
In the aftermath of a thrilling weekend filled with upsets in college football, ESPN’s Paul Finebaum has weighed in on the chaotic landscape of the 2024 College Football Playoff race. After a Saturday marked by shocking results that shook up the rankings, Finebaum declared that one team, in particular, had positioned itself perfectly to secure a spot in the College Football Playoff. That team? The **Florida State Seminoles**.
### A Weekend of Chaos
The landscape of the College Football Playoff was dramatically altered on Saturday, November 30, 2024, as several top-ranked teams suffered unexpected losses. Among the most notable upsets was **Michigan**, which fell to a fierce **Ohio State** squad, handing them their second loss of the season. **Georgia**, the reigning national champion, was also defeated in a nail-biting game against an underdog **Tennessee** team, further scrambling the playoff picture.
The most surprising result, however, came in the **SEC Championship**, where **Alabama**—despite a tough, hard-fought season—took down **LSU**, a top-five team, in a dominant performance. This win, combined with other key losses across the top 10, opened the door for teams like **Florida State** to step into the limelight.
### Paul Finebaum’s Playoff Prediction
In his analysis following the weekend’s upsets, Paul Finebaum declared that **Florida State** had done enough to secure a place in the College Football Playoff. With their convincing victory over **Clemson** on Saturday, the Seminoles now stand as one of the top teams in the country, and Finebaum believes they have the résumé to make the final four, regardless of how the rest of the season unfolds.
“Florida State is in,” Finebaum said on his radio show, “They’ve handled business all season long, and with the chaos we’ve seen this weekend, they’ve now got a clear path to the playoff. Their resume is strong, and with the big wins they’ve racked up, they’ve earned their spot.”
The Seminoles have been one of the most consistent and dominant teams in college football this season, despite playing in a highly competitive **ACC**. Their victory against **Clemson**, a team with playoff aspirations of its own, only bolstered their case. Florida State has played with a relentless defense and a dynamic offense led by quarterback **Jordan Travis**, who has been exceptional throughout the year.
### The Case for Florida State
Florida State’s record is now an impressive 11-1, with their only loss coming in a narrow defeat to **Notre Dame** early in the season. Since then, the Seminoles have reeled off nine consecutive victories, including impressive wins over ranked teams like **North Carolina** and **Clemson**. Their balanced offense, which features Travis and a talented group of playmakers, has kept them in control of most games, while their defense has proven to be one of the stingiest in the country.
What sets Florida State apart, according to Finebaum, is their ability to win in a variety of ways. They’ve proven they can dominate in high-scoring affairs, but they’ve also shown resilience in tight games. That adaptability could be key in the College Football Playoff, where matchups often become unpredictable.
### The Road Ahead
With the final regular-season games behind them, Florida State now looks ahead to their conference championship game, where a win would solidify their place in the College Football Playoff. Regardless of the outcome, Finebaum believes that even a loss in the ACC Championship game may not be enough to knock the Seminoles out of contention, given the upheaval among other contenders.
In his commentary, Finebaum stressed that teams like **Georgia**, **Michigan**, and **Ohio State** would need to regroup quickly, as their losses have opened up the door for a team like Florida State to make the jump. The unpredictability of the season means that the College Football Playoff race is far from decided, but with their steady play and big wins, Florida State is now in a prime position.
### Impact on the Playoff Picture
The upsets of Saturday have significantly altered the playoff projections, creating more room for teams like Florida State to seize opportunities. Finebaum emphasized that with just one regular season week left, the playoff race is still wide open, and several teams—such as **Alabama**, **Washington**, and **Oregon**—are now in contention for a spot.
Still, as Finebaum noted, **Florida State’s** consistency and strong performance in a competitive conference may be the deciding factor that propels them into the final four. The path ahead for the Seminoles will not be easy, but their place in the playoff race is now firmly secured.
### Looking Ahead
As the playoff picture continues to evolve, all eyes will be on the final stretch of the regular season and the conference championship games. With so much still to be decided, Saturday’s upsets have reminded college football fans that anything can happen in this unpredictable season. For Florida State, however, the message is clear: they are a team to watch, and according to Paul Finebaum, they’re going to the College Football Playoff.
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