Paul Finebaum wasn’t about the downplay the significance of Saturday’s game between Alabama and LSU. Last week, the SEC Network analyst called it a playoff eliminator.

On Sunday, he doubled down.

“The loser of this game says goodbye, adios to the season,” Finebaum told “SportsCenter.” “Not in the literal sense, but in terms of the CFP.

“The loser will have three losses. There’s no way to get back in. There will be an SEC Championship Game. There really won’t be any hope. There’re too many schools competing for those at-large bids.”

ESPN’s “College GameDay” will be in Baton Rouge to broadcast ahead of the showdown.

“It’s hard to believe Alabama out that early,” Finebaum said of a potential loss. “It hasn’t very often, but that game is a high-stakes, loser leaves town.”

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.