Paul Finebaum Declares CFB Dynasty Over

The Alabama Crimson Tide had one of the great dynasties in college football history under Nick Saban, where the program won six national titles and nine SEC championships in 17 seasons. With Saban retiring following the 2023 season, some, including ESPN’s Paul Finebaum, believe the Alabama dynasty is now finished following the recent rise of other national powers since the Tide’s last title.

On Wednesday's airing of ESPN's Get Up , Finebaum stated that he feels the Tide's dynasty ended even before Saban retired.

“We’ve seen Georgia win twice and Michigan win once since Alabama last won a national championship," Finebaum said. "So, yes, I would declare the dynasty done. It was done before Saban left. It’s really done now that [Kalen] DeBoer is there.”

Replacing the legendary Nick Saban will not be an easy task for Kalen DeBoer, but the 49-year-old head coach has been a proven winner at every stop in his coaching career. He holds a record of 104-12 in his career as head coach at his three stops before Alabama, including the NAIA level and taking the Washington Huskies to the 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship Game.

With the talent pool at DeBoer's disposal in Alabama, there are high expectations that he will become an instant winner in Tuscaloosa. Still, Finebaum made it clear that he does not feel DeBoer's Crimson Tide program will be good enough to claim a national championship in his first year.

“I don’t think this team is good enough," Finebaum added.

“So I think they’re challenged, I think the schedule is overwhelming, I think they could make the playoffs, but they are not going to win the national championship without Nick Saban. Not yet, at least. The team is very good, but they’re missing some key elements and that’s what happened when Nick Saban left. They lost two or three incredible players and I think [that] could be the difference between making the playoffs and winning the playoffs. Ultimately, Kalen DeBoer is good enough to win it all, but not this year.”

The Kalen DeBoer era in Tuscaloosa starts on Aug. 31 when the No. 5-ranked Crimson Tide clash with the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers from Denny-Bryant Stadium at 7:00 p.m. (ET) on ESPN.

Related: Alabama Football 2024 Preview: Kalen DeBoer and the Toughest Job in America