While ESPN’s Paul Finebaum has been the poster boy for SEC/Big Ten bias in the era of the college football playoff, the longtime commentator has also spoken openly about the fact that Florida State may not be a fit for the Big Ten.
Finebaum mentioned on the Paul Finebaum Show that Florida State does not fit the Big Ten model, which could be a factor in future conference realignment.
“I know Florida State thinks they’re heavily in demand, but there are some questions about what exactly they bring to the Big Ten,” Finebaum said. “They don’t fit the Big Ten model. The Big Ten, I believe, other than Nebraska, has highly accredited schools, and I don’t think Florida State really qualifies for that.”
Many fans, personalities, and college football commentators have openly discussed the possibility that Florida State could be the first domino to fall in the ACC realignment, including the Late Kick’s Josh Pate. In a recent podcast episode, Pate spoke about Florida State electing to leave the ACC, which would signal the next wave of conference realignment.
“Yeah, I think the ACC is kinda sorta screwed,” Pate said. “I think the future of the conference will look radically different than it does now. There are powerful entities that are well-motivated and well-financially backed that want out. In other words, FSU. And they’re not alone. I think they’re going to get out.”
If Finebaum is correct that the Seminoles do not fit into the Big Ten, Brett Yormark and the Big 12 could have something to say about Florida State’s future. While nothing is ever easy to predict in modern-day college athletics, the Big 12 would have a lot on their plate to consider.
