Paul Finebaum protects Tennessee while denouncing SMU and Indiana as frauds.

Even though Tennessee lost to Ohio State by one of the largest margins in the first round, the Mouth of the South still thinks the Vols should have been in the College Football Playoff.

Paul Finebaum is one of the most well-known and influential experts in the fast-paced, opinionated world of college football. Finebaum, who is well-known for his incisive observations and unvarnished commentary, frequently finds himself in the center of debates about college football. Millions follow his opinions on coaches, conferences, and programs, and many pay attention to what he has to say. His recent remarks have garnered a lot of attention as he vehemently supported the Tennessee Volunteers while criticizing two teams that he feels are deceptive in the eyes of college football fans: Indiana and SMU (Southern Methodist University). In addition to praising Tennessee’s path, Finebaum’s analysis strongly disapproved of the idea that SMU and Indiana should be in the top divisions of college football and called them outright scammers.

Defending Tennessee’s Resurgence

Tennessee football has a long history, a devoted following, and a successful record in the SEC, one of the most competitive college football leagues. The Volunteers, however, have had difficulty regaining their position as a dominant force in the sport in recent years. A thrilling offense, strong recruiting, and a renewed sense of competition in a crowded SEC have all contributed to Tennessee’s comeback under head coach Josh Heupel.

For Finebaum, the program’s cultural transformation under Heupel is just as important to Tennessee’s comeback as the team’s on-field performance. The Vols’ ability to play against elite SEC opponents has improved the program’s reputation, and the fast-paced, pass-heavy offense has reignited excitement at Neyland Stadium. Heupel’s ability to adapt and inject fresh vitality into a program that had been stuck in mediocrity under prior leadership has been praised by Finebaum in particular.

This return to relevancy, according to Finebaum, has not only restored confidence within Tennessee’s fanbase but has also cemented the Vols as one of the top programs in the SEC. Finebaum’s praise of Tennessee contrasts sharply with his disdain for other programs that he views as undeserving of their rankings or national attention.

Denouncing SMU and Indiana: The “Fraud” Label

While Finebaum is quick to defend Tennessee, he has been less kind toward programs like SMU and Indiana, both of which he recently labeled as “frauds” in the college football landscape. According to Finebaum, both schools have been overrated and are not as close to competing with top-tier teams as their national profiles might suggest. For Finebaum, these programs are benefitting from hype that far exceeds their actual on-field product.

SMU: A Program Living in Its Own Hype

Southern Methodist University (SMU) has enjoyed a resurgence in recent years, led by a strong recruiting effort and the arrival of a promising coaching staff. The Mustangs have attracted attention with high-profile recruits and a growing presence in the American Athletic Conference (AAC). However, Finebaum believes that SMU has yet to prove itself against higher levels of competition.

SMU’s athletic department has made strides, particularly with its football program, but Finebaum is critical of the way the program has been overhyped, especially given its inability to break through against the bigger programs in the college football landscape. He views SMU’s recent rise as the result of favorable media coverage and marketing rather than substantial, sustained success on the field.

According to Finebaum, SMU’s victories against weaker opponents have led to inflated expectations, and the team has yet to prove it can compete at the highest levels of college football. Finebaum argued that while SMU may show promise in the AAC, its inability to consistently perform against Power Five teams proves that the program is still far from being a legitimate national contender. In Finebaum’s eyes, SMU’s recent success is more about perception than reality.

Indiana: Overrated in the Big Ten

Indiana’s football program has long been considered one of the bottom-tier teams in the Big Ten. While the Hoosiers enjoyed a brief period of success under head coach Tom Allen, including an 8-5 record in 2020 and an appearance in the Outback Bowl, Finebaum views the program as overrated and far from ready to compete consistently in the competitive Big Ten Conference.

Indiana’s brief rise was built on a strong defense and an opportunistic offense, but Finebaum argues that it was more of a flash in the pan than a sign of a sustainable program. In the years since, Indiana has struggled to maintain the momentum, with subpar seasons and an inability to recruit at the level needed to stay competitive against the juggernauts of the Big Ten, like Ohio State, Michigan, and Penn State.

For Finebaum, Indiana’s ability to land some top recruits and make a brief run does not excuse the fact that it has largely been irrelevant in the national landscape. He questions whether Indiana can ever truly challenge the upper-tier Big Ten programs on a consistent basis and is particularly harsh on the notion that Indiana deserves the kind of national attention and ranking it sometimes receives.

The Broader Implications of Finebaum’s Commentary

Finebaum’s commentary on Tennessee, SMU, and Indiana touches on larger themes in college football. First, his defense of Tennessee highlights the program’s resilience and the importance of stability in coaching, particularly in the SEC, where competition is fierce. Tennessee’s rise under Heupel is indicative of the importance of recruiting, culture-building, and innovation. Finebaum sees the Volunteers’ success as a testament to the power of proper leadership and a clear vision.

On the flip side, his labeling of SMU and Indiana as frauds reflects his skepticism about how certain programs are marketed and hyped based on short-term success or perception rather than sustained excellence. The college football landscape, with its intricate recruiting networks, media influence, and conference affiliations, often allows for teams to receive attention disproportionate to their actual success. Finebaum’s critique is a reminder that not all teams with high expectations are capable of meeting them, particularly when those expectations are based on misleading narratives or fleeting moments of success.