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‘They’re just throwing things up against a wall’: Paul Finebaum not expecting much change in B1G
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There was some hope in B1G country late last week.
Not only were reports of a potential spring season model trickling out last week, Jeff Potrykus of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported that the B1G was discussing a potential move to Thanksgiving weekend. Then, Bruce Feldman of The Athletic reported that there was a “real possibility” that the conference would attempt to reinstate some sort of fall schedule.
While starting Thanksgiving weekend might be a legitimate discussion among the conference’s coaches and athletic directors, Paul Finebaum doesn’t expect to see anything really change in the conference. The SEC Network host told WJOX’s The RoundTable that it’s unlikely the B1G reverses course at this point.
“I still don’t think they have enough people to make it happen and ultimately I don’t think they have the presidents to reverse the decision,” Finebaum said. “I don’t think it’s going anywhere.”
Finebaum was then asked if he thought the B1G could be considered for a spot in the College Football Playoff, should they start the season around Thanksgiving. While that might be the hope for some conference coaches, Finebaum doesn’t believe that’s a real possibility.
“I don’t see how. Let’s just say, in a perfect world, they start Thanksgiving weekend — when the Playoff begins they would be at about, what, Week 5 or 6 or 7,” Finebaum said. “I don’t think that’s realistic. I think they’re just throwing things up against a wall right now and unfortunately getting their fanbase excited, but they’ll only be disappointed again. I just don’t see anything coming out of it.
“There’s only one alternative for them — and that’s to bite the bullet and say we start tomorrow, practicing again. It would be a tough call, but they could get there by maybe the first weekend in October and figure out to schedule themselves into the race. I don’t see that happening but that’s really their only path. Otherwise, they’re out of the Playoff.”
The B1G made the decision to call off fall football on Aug. 11, becoming the first Power 5 league to make the move. In the days since the decision, commissioner Kevin Warren has said that the conference will not revisit that discussion and plans to move forward with a spring schedule.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB