Paul Finebaum believes the College Football Playoff committee took the “easy way out” on Saturday by selecting SMU – and not Alabama – to be included in the 12-team CFP.

With that said, Finebaum said, the CFP committee hdad ulterior motives for their decision. Matt Barrie Show.” “Quite frankly, I don’t know that many Alabama fans that felt like they got screwed. They did it to themselves.”

Finebaum cited Alabama’s loss at Oklahoma.

With that said, Finebaum said, the CFP committee had ulterior motives for their decision.

“They did not want to be responsible for killing conference championship games just yet,” Finebaum said.

That, coupled with the idea of lawsuits from last year’s outcome of the four-team playoff, Finebaum said, were potential motives for the decision. Last year, Florida State filed lawsuits when Alabama was selected over the Seminoles, despite FSU’s undefeated record.

“(The committee) went against everything that said the previous Tuesday, which was fine,” Finebaum added.

The SEC Network analyst said he isn’t surprised by the decision, but he pointed out that the committee used the strength-of-schedule argument against Miami but not against SMU.

The Tide had the 16th toughest schedule and went 3-1 against teams in the top 25. SMU’s numbers: 60th in strength of schedule and 0-2 against the top 25.

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.