Yes, you read that headline correctly.

The regular season is over and the SEC’s biggest apologist admitted something shocking.

SEC Network analyst Paul Finebaum was on ESPN’s College Football Playoff show on Sunday, and when breaking down conference strength, he delivered a surprising revelation.

Finebaum, who wasn’t shy about slighting Iowa or its strength of schedule last week, gave Michigan State plenty of credit following the B1G Championship win. As you’ll recall, he actually debated Big Ten Network anchor Dave Revsine about why the SEC was better than the B1G.

But this was more about Finebaum pointing out the facts. The B1G has three teams in New Year’s Six games while the SEC only has two. The B1G also has five teams in the top 14 while the SEC has two.

Both conferences have 10 bowl teams, four of which will square off. If it really is the best conference this year, as Finebaum suggested, the B1G will win the unofficial challenge against the SEC.

Michigan State taking down Alabama would certainly help the cause.