Paul Finebaum, Once Again, Doesn't Give Michigan Football Credit Entering 2023 Season

Just about everyone likes Michigan football heading into 2023. Rece Davis has said he will put the Wolverines No. 1 on his preseason poll, and Greg McElroy has Michigan No. 2 behind Georgia. McElroy even said he 'loves Michigan' this season.

But not everybody likes Michigan. Especially Paul Finebaum.

The ESPN host has had a love/hate -- mostly hate -- relationship with Jim Harbaugh for years now. He has nothing but negative things to say about the Michigan coach until he admitted he was wrong after Michigan beat the Buckeyes in Columbus a season ago.

But those days appear to be long, long gone.

Finebaum appeared on ESPN's 'First Take' show earlier in the week while SEC Media Days were happening. One of the talking points of the show, was which team could de-throne Georgia in '23?

The two-time defending Big Ten champions were an afterthought. Instead, Ohio State came to Finebaum's mind.

“There are a couple of teams that a possibility or a chance at it. I think, within the SEC, Alabama would be the best bet. That does not take a rocket scientist, which I’m not, to come up with,” Finebaum said. “Outside, I like Ohio State. There’s still an issue about how the quarterback situation will land. Other than that, they probably have as much talent, if not more, as anyone in the country. If you’re looking for a wildcard, certainly Southern Cal with the Heisman Trophy winner (in) Caleb Williams.”

Alabama is a reasonable pick, because, well, it's 'Bama. USC is a little bit of a reach, but with Caleb Williams returning the offense should be explosive. And yeah, Ohio State has a ton of talent and could be right there when the season is over, but to not even mention the Wolverines is quite the take.

Michigan has reached the College Football Playoff two years in a row, dominated Ohio State each year, and won the Big Ten in consecutive seasons.

But at the end of the day, Paul is being Paul.