Paul Finebaum doesn't believe that FSU, which finished No. 10 in the AP Poll's Top 25 and is the crown jewel school in the next round of conference realignment that is getting attention from every Power Conference, will finish the season ranked.
"I think they used up too many tears crying about not getting in the playoffs. That may slow them down a little bit," Finebaum said of the Noles' chances of finishing the season as an unranked team (h/t Chop Chat).
Those are some fighting words from Finebaum, who proved he wasn't about fighting when he was confronted by Lane Kiffin on his show and backed down. Mike Norvell isn't likely to call him out in the same fashion as Kiffin or Deion Sanders. That's for sure.
FSU lost 10 players to the NFL draft and is down several true superstars like Jared Verse, Keon Coleman, and Jordan Travis. It's reasonable to think that another undefeated season may not come.
But it's objectively weird behavior to make it personal with fans and not address the personnel changes.
FSU has interest from Big 12, Big Ten, and SEC according to rumors
FSU is working on AAU accreditation, meaning the Big Ten could be in play. The Big 12 may or may not be willing to enlist private equity groups to buy the Noles and Clemson out of their ACC media rights deal. The SEC may be the likeliest option if ESPN gets its way. Don't count out the ACC doing what they can to keep the status quo. It's a longshot, but they're still in the mix.
Seemingly everyone wants FSU. Clemson not having B1G eyes on them puts the Noles on a pedestal.
Does that narrative change quickly if there's a falloff in Tallahassee? Probably not. But Finebaum's prediction doesn't seem all that likely since DJ Uiagalelei proved he can handle himself in big games last season at Oregon State and Norvell's reinforcements on the recruiting trail should bolster the Noles' ranks enough to avoid any worst-case scenarios.