Finebaum rips 'drunk' CFP rankings over Alabama mess.

Paul Finebaum blasts College Football Playoff rankings over Alabama-Tennessee controversy.

The ESPN analyst did not hold back during Wednesday's edition of Get Up.

He called the first CFP rankings of the 2026 season "about as discombobulated a ranking as I have ever seen."

Then he went further.

"I would use words like the committee was drunk, but that would be inappropriate for such an august group of people," Finebaum said.

"But it really doesn't make any sense."

The rankings were released Tuesday night.

Miami sits at No. 1.

Georgia is No. 2.

Utah is No. 3.

Indiana is No. 4.

Alabama is No. 5.

The Crimson Tide are 6-2.

Tennessee is also 6-2.

Tennessee beat Alabama 26-10 on October 18 at Neyland Stadium.

Tennessee is ranked No. 13.

That is eight spots behind Alabama.

Finebaum focused on that gap.

"Alabama has no business being where they are," Finebaum said.

"That is truly absurd to have Alabama that far ahead of Tennessee, a team that just disemboweled them a couple weeks ago in Neyland Stadium."

The College Football Playoff selection committee uses several criteria to rank teams.

Those criteria include strength of schedule, results against quality opponents, and head-to-head competition.

A head-to-head victory does not automatically guarantee a higher ranking.

Committee chair Hunter Yurachek has explained that direct comparisons become especially relevant when teams are grouped closely in the evaluation process.

Alabama's schedule includes several challenging opponents.

The Crimson Tide lost to No. 2 Georgia 20-17 in a game that came down to the final minutes.

Alabama beat No. 16 Mississippi State 56-23 on the road earlier this season.

Alabama beat Texas A&M 31-20.

Texas A&M started the season ranked No. 8 but is now 4-4 near the bottom of the SEC standings.

Finebaum questioned whether the Mississippi State win should carry as much weight as it did.

Mississippi State's star quarterback, Kamario Taylor, was limited with an injury during that game.

Finebaum has never been one to pull punches.

He is known as "the voice of the SEC."

His criticism of the rankings carries weight because he usually defends the conference.

This time he went after the committee's logic.

"It is about as discombobulated a ranking as I've ever seen," Finebaum repeated on Get Up.

The rankings also include Kentucky at No. 6, Texas at No. 7, UCLA at No. 8, BYU at No. 9, Ole Miss at No. 10, and Notre Dame at No. 11.

Ohio State is No. 12 and would be the first team out if the playoff started today.

Tennessee is No. 13 on the outside looking in.

The Volunteers have a strong case for being ranked higher.

Josh Heupel's team demolished Alabama 26-10.

That head-to-head result is the most direct comparison available.

Alabama supporters point to the Crimson Tide's overall résumé.

Alabama's loss to Georgia was by three points on the road.

Tennessee's losses include a 23-17 defeat to Georgia and a 31-24 loss to Kentucky.

Kentucky is ranked No. 6.

Georgia is ranked No. 2.

The committee evaluates résumé strength as a whole.

But Finebaum argued that Tennessee's victory over Alabama should outweigh other factors.

His comments reflect a larger national debate.

Fans and analysts are questioning whether the committee truly values head-to-head results.

The gap between Alabama and Tennessee is the most visible example.

Both teams have the same record.

One team beat the other on the field.

The losing team is ranked eight spots higher.

Saturday offers both teams a chance to answer the debate.

Alabama travels to face No. 14 LSU this weekend.

Tennessee meets No. 6 Kentucky.

A strong Alabama victory over LSU could reinforce its current position.

A Tennessee victory over Kentucky could strengthen its case for moving up.

The committee will release updated rankings next week.

Those rankings will reflect the results of this weekend's games.

Finebaum's rant has become a central part of the conversation.

His comments were broadcast on ESPN's Get Up.

The Sporting News originally reported the story.

Yahoo Sports, Irish Star, Awful Announcing, and On3 also covered the controversy.

Finebaum has a history of strong opinions about college football.

He has been a prominent voice in SEC coverage for decades.

His criticism of the committee is notable because he rarely attacks the system itself.

He usually defends SEC teams in ranking debates.

This time he said the rankings "really don't make any sense."

The committee's process has been controversial in past years.

Similar debates have occurred over the inclusion of teams with weaker schedules or questionable losses.

This year's first rankings have generated more controversy than usual.

The Alabama-Tennessee gap is the most discussed issue.

Finebaum's language was unusually harsh.

He used the word "discombobulated" multiple times.

He said the committee appeared "drunk."

He called Alabama's placement "truly absurd."

He said Alabama had "no business" being at No. 5.

The committee chair has not responded directly to Finebaum's comments.

Hunter Yurachek has previously explained the evaluation process.

The committee meets each week to discuss and adjust rankings.

Members review game film, statistics, and results.

They consider injuries, weather conditions, and other factors.

The goal is to rank teams based on their full body of work.

Head-to-head results are one factor among many.

The committee has stated that no single factor is determinative.