Paul Finebaum backing a non-SEC team? Welcome to the 2025 season, which keeps delivering the unexpected. On Monday’s 214 Coverage appearance with Richard Buesher, Finebaum praised SMU and Rhett Lashlee for building a program capable of back-to-back playoff runs, a rare nod outside his usual SEC comfort zone.

“I don’t disagree with the sentiment that SMU has already surpassed schools like Vanderbilt,” said Finebaum, as he offered rare ACC support. While SEC programs like Vanderbilt recorded a 5-2 mark in conference play, SMU went 6-1, making Finebaum’s take make sense. Besides, SMU was a big winner this weekend, cruising to a 38-6 victory over Louisville. With that, they not only sit at No. 3 in the ACC with an 8-3 overall record but also climbed back into the CFP rankings at No. 25.

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