Rhett Lashlee defends SEC parity comments, calls for 16-team College Football Playoff
ACC Coach Doesn’t Back Down, Clarifies SEC Stance in Face of Paul Finebaum Criticism originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
SMU coach Rhett Lashlee appeared on "The Paul Finebaum Show" to clarify comments he previously made about the SEC’s top-heavy dominance and the broader structure of college football.
After Finebaum harshly criticized his “embarrassing” take regarding playoff access and conference parity, Lashlee accepted the invitation to continue the discussion directly. Rather than walking anything back, Lashlee reaffirmed his stance on how perception, not just performance, plays a role in determining playoff access.
The conversation remained respectful, with Finebaum ultimately acknowledging the complexities of the current playoff system.
Lashlee Reiterates SEC Respect but Calls Out Perception Gap
Lashlee opened the conversation by emphasizing his background: “I've got a lot of respect for the SEC and a lot of experience with the SEC.” He acknowledged the conference’s success but pushed back on the idea that its dominance is universal, reiterating his earlier comment.
“The same six schools from the SEC have done all the winning,” Lashlee argued. “It’s hard to argue parity if only six teams are successful.”
Rather than attacking the SEC’s resume, Lashlee pointed out that college football rewards reputation and branding, especially in an era where playoff selection is as much about narrative as it is about performance.
He stood by his view that the system often favors select programs, even if others produce comparable seasons.
SMU Coach Calls for 16-Team Playoff to Widen Access
Lashlee used the platform to expand on what he believes is the core issue: structural inequality in access to playoffs.
“We live in a day and age where, unfortunately, we're all forced to politick, almost like it's a contest or pageant to get into the playoffs,” he said.
He proposed an expanded 16-team College Football Playoff, arguing that it would allow more programs, players and fanbases to experience meaningful postseason football.
“I think each year, teams should stand on their own production and success,” Lashlee said. “They have a great league, I feel like we have a great league.”
The expanded model, in his view, would bring more balance to the sport and reduce the emphasis on preseason rankings and conference biases.
Finebaum Appreciates Lashlee's Willingness to Engage
To Finebaum’s credit, the exchange wasn’t combative. He acknowledged that Lashlee's willingness to engage directly was rare and appreciated. More importantly, Finebaum acknowledged that coaches must make their case publicly to sway playoff committees. He didn’t reverse his criticism but conceded Lashlee raised points worth considering.
The discussion between Lashlee and Finebaum reflected a broader debate in college football, one that continues to evolve as the playoff expands and conference dynamics shift. With SMU entering its second season in the ACC, Lashlee’s voice can continue to rise as one of the more prominent advocates for postseason reform.
Related: Paul Finebaum Takes ACC Coach to the Cleaners for His ‘Embarrassing’ Rant
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: General Sports
