Finebaum makes feelings known on Vols, likes Alabama over LSU: âThis team has gotten a lot betterâ

We’re a long way from the Texas and South Florida games when talking about Alabama, Paul Finebaum contends.

The SEC Network analyst had a lot to unpack Monday during his weekly appearance on WJOX’s “McElroy and Cubelic In the morning.” Most of it came from the Alabama’s 34-20, come-from-behind win over Tennessee. In short, he likes what he is seeing from Nick Saban’s Tide. A day after locking in Alabama for the SEC title game, he can’t say the same about Josh Heupel’s Vols.

“I don’t like the Tennessee team at all, if that’s what you’re asking,” Finebaum said. “I didn’t like them a week ago in Knoxville, and don’t like them much more now. They’re undisciplined at times. I think Josh Heupel, whatever anyone thinks about his decision on fourth down, I didn’t like it. Because I felt like with the lead, you have to think about what the upside is, but you have to factor in the downside, and clearly that was the momentum change in the game.

“He’s handcuffed. I still respect immensely. He’s got a quarterback that is hard to predict where his next throw is going.”

On the other hand, Finebaum has turned into a bit of a believer when it comes to Alabama.

“I think it’s time to quit obsessing over what’s wrong and start concentrating on what’s right with this team, he explained. “There’s a lot to like. With each step on this ladder, it feels a little more comfortable. I think the outlook is brighter. Right now you have to accept the fact that since that very treacherous moment in the early part of the season – Texas and South Florida games – this team has gotten a lot better.”

All signs point to Alabama-LSU two Saturday from now.

“I feel good about this LSU team,” he said. “I have all along. I think the FSU game was just you were up against one of the top four teams in the country, and you probably didn’t even realize it. Ole Miss was a game that they could’ve won. That was just a high-scoring shootout. It’s a matter of making one last play.”

At the end of the day, Finebaum is predicting an Alabama victory.

“At this juncture, we’re 12 days out, I favor Alabama because I really like what I’m seeing on the Alabama side,” Finebaum said. “Not to overdo the home field, but I will. That has really helped Alabama. In a game like this at night, it’s going to give Alabama a little more of an edge from the intangibles than they even had against Tennessee.”

It’s quite the 180 for Finebaum, who just last month, during a segment on ESPN’s “Get Up,” voiced concern for the Alabama program, Saban’s career and the job offensive coordinator Tommy Rees is doing – or not doing.

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.