Paul Finebaum Names College Football Powerhouse That’s Lost Its ‘Sizzle’

From the beginning of the College Football Playoff in 2014 until the start of the new decade in 2020, the Alabama Crimson Tide was considered the top program in college football. Close behind them were the Clemson Tigers.

During that time, the Crimson Tide won three national championships, while Clemson won two against Alabama. However, neither team has won a national championship since then. Alabama has continued to make the College Football Playoff, appearing in two out of the three playoffs and also appearing in another national championship game. Clemson hasn't appeared in any playoff games and is coming off its worst season since 2010.

ESPN's Paul Finebaum believes that Clemson is still a very good program, but its days of dominance are over.

"Clemson is an excellent program; they just aren't really a sizzle program anymore," Finebaum said. "They're not on the front row of college football where they used to dominate."

The Tigers finished the 2023 season with a 9-4 record, marking their worst finish since 2010, when they went 6-7 in head coach Dabo Swinney's second full season. Additionally, Clemson's preseason ranking of No. 14 is the lowest since 2014. It's worth noting that in 2014, the Tigers went 10-3, and that season marked the beginning of their era of dominance.

So, the Tigers hope to generate a similar spark this time and return to their dominant ways.

Related: Paul Finebaum On Iconic College Football Coach: 'The Game Has Passed Him By'