Paul Finebaum Drops Bold Prediction: Alabama and Texas Poised to Shake Up the SEC in 2025
Paul Finebaum has never been shy about sharing his thoughts on the ever-changing landscape of college football, and his latest comments have Alabama and Texas fans buzzing. The SEC, a conference that has long dominated the sport with its combination of power, speed, and tradition, is about to welcome a new wave of drama as Texas officially joins the league. With so much uncertainty surrounding what the new-look SEC will bring, Finebaum made it clear that two programs—Alabama and Texas—are primed to make the most noise in 2025.
For Alabama, this is about more than just being a contender; it’s about restoring a dynasty. The Crimson Tide have been the face of college football dominance for over a decade, with Nick Saban creating a standard that most programs can only dream of matching. But things have changed in Tuscaloosa. Saban has stepped aside, ushering in a new era under Kalen DeBoer, and the pressure couldn’t be greater. Alabama hasn’t won a national championship since 2020, and for a fan base accustomed to rings and parades, that feels like an eternity. Still, Finebaum believes Alabama is far from finished. In fact, he thinks they’re positioned perfectly to challenge Georgia for SEC supremacy and maybe even reclaim their spot on the sport’s biggest stage.
Finebaum pointed to Alabama’s ability to adapt as the reason for his optimism. In a world where NIL deals, the transfer portal, and conference realignment have reshaped the recruiting game, Alabama continues to thrive. DeBoer’s arrival has given the program a shot of offensive creativity, something Finebaum believes will mesh well with the SEC’s modern style of play. “Alabama is not going anywhere,” Finebaum said. “The idea that this program will just fade because Saban is gone is ridiculous. They still have elite players, they still have the resources, and they just hired one of the best offensive minds in the country.”
Texas, on the other hand, enters the SEC with something to prove. The Longhorns have long been a program with immense potential, but in recent years, they’ve struggled to turn that potential into results. That changed under Steve Sarkisian, who has quietly built one of the most talented rosters in the country. Finebaum didn’t hold back when discussing Texas’ upside. “People underestimate how good Texas is right now,” he said. “They’ve got NFL-level talent across the board, they’ve invested in facilities, and they’ve embraced the new era of college football with NIL. They’re not coming to the SEC to just be another team—they’re coming to win.”
What makes this prediction so compelling is that Alabama and Texas are set to collide in a conference that already features juggernauts like Georgia and LSU. With the SEC schedule expanding and the playoff moving to a 12-team format, the road to a national championship will be tougher than ever. But that also means more opportunities for programs to prove themselves, and Finebaum seems convinced that both Alabama and Texas have the pieces to make deep runs.
The Alabama-Texas dynamic is fascinating for another reason: these teams have already faced each other in recent memory, with Texas pulling off a statement win over Alabama in Tuscaloosa in 2023. That game sent shockwaves through the sport, signaling that Texas wasn’t just a nostalgic brand clinging to its past glory—they were building something real. Finebaum referenced that moment as a turning point for both programs. “That wasn’t a fluke,” he said. “Texas showed they could go toe-to-toe with one of the best, and Alabama learned that they’re not invincible anymore. That game changed how people view both of these programs.”
If Alabama is to return to championship form, it will need to reestablish its dominance in the trenches and maintain the physicality that has defined its brand for years. Finebaum believes DeBoer understands that, even as he brings a more innovative offensive system to the table. “You can’t win in the SEC without being tough up front,” he said. “But what DeBoer adds is balance—creativity on offense without sacrificing what makes Alabama great. That’s why I think they’re going to be right in the mix.”
As for Texas, the question isn’t whether they can compete—it’s whether they can handle the week-in, week-out grind of the SEC. The Big 12 never posed the same challenges, and Finebaum admitted that the adjustment won’t be easy. But he also argued that Texas’ recruiting base, financial backing, and renewed sense of urgency give them an edge. “Texas has everything they need to succeed in this league,” he said. “Now it’s about proving it.”
The implications of Finebaum’s comments go beyond just Alabama and Texas. If both teams live up to his expectations, the SEC could become even more dominant on the national stage. Imagine a scenario where Alabama, Texas, and Georgia all enter the playoff conversation in the same season. For fans, that means bigger games, higher stakes, and storylines that will dominate headlines from September through January. For everyone else? It means the gap between the SEC and the rest of college football might grow even wider.
As we look toward 2025, one thing is clear: the SEC is entering uncharted territory, and Alabama and Texas are at the heart of it. Finebaum’s confidence in these two programs isn’t blind loyalty or hype—it’s rooted in reality. Alabama has the tradition, resources, and a new coach determined to write his own chapter of greatness. Texas has momentum, talent, and a fan base hungry for a return to glory. Together, they’re set to make the SEC more competitive, more unpredictable, and more exciting than ever before.
For now, it’s all speculation. Games aren’t won in July, and championships aren’t handed out because of preseason predictions. But when someone like Paul Finebaum speaks, the college football world listens. His message is clear: don’t sleep on Alabama, and don’t underestimate Texas. The SEC isn’t just getting bigger—it’s getting stronger, and these two programs are ready to lead the charge.
