On Sunday’s Matt Barrie Show, ESPN talk show host Paul Finebaum defended Auburn coach Hugh Freeze and said the Tigers’ shocking 31-10 loss at home to New Mexico State on Saturday was no reason for major concern among their fans or doubts about Freeze’s ability to resuscitate the Auburn program.

Finebaum said Alabama coach Nick Saban be upset by Auburn’s loss as well. Saban is 11-5 — 3-5 at Auburn, including the “Kick Six” loss in 2013 — in the Iron Bowl.

“He probably walked in his house and kicked the door,” Finebaum said. “Why do I always have to go to Auburn when nobody cares about the game? For Alabama, everything that could go wrong, has gone wrong. Jordan Hare Stadium has been his Waterloo.”

The Tigers (6-5) should be highly motivated for the game. Alabama will have an SEC Championship Game matchup with No. 1 Georgia on the horizon.

Finebaum noted that New Mexico State, which took home $1.8 million for going to Auburn, dominated throughout the game.

“It looked like Auburn was the team playing the cupcake role for New Mexico State,” Finebaum said.

As well as pointing out that New Mexico State was 9-3, and that NM State coach Jerry Kill beat Freeze, when Freeze was at Liberty, Finebaum mentioned that Auburn could have been looking ahead to its annual showdown next week with Alabama.

Finebaum said he believes Auburn has made good progress under Freeze. The Tigers went 5-7 last season. Barrie added he had been impressed by Freeze’s team earlier in the season.

“I am suggesting that I think the program is in pretty good shape,” Finebaum said. “I am not going to melt down on this.”

“Hugh Freeze is going to get that thing going,” chipped in Barrie.

Finebaum also defended Florida coach Billy Napier, whose Gators lost 33-31 at No. 10 Missouri and need a victory over Florida State to be bowl-eligible.

“Short of an embarrassment, it seems like he’s going to survive, but it’s tricky,” Finebaum said.

Finebaum and Barrie noted that Florida has played in three straight close games and that the Gators should have killed more clock before kicking the field goal that put them ahead, but left Missouri 1:35 for a game-winning drive.

Barrie reiterated his opinion that coaches should be given at least three years barring a grievous off-the-field scandal.

Southern Cal coach Lincoln Riley joined Jim Harbaugh as a target of strong criticism from Finebaum.

Florida State won’t be happy either with Finebaum’s opinion of where Florida State should stand in CFP standings after losing QB Jordan Travis to injury Saturday night in a non-conference victory over North Alabama, which led 13-0 when Travis left the game with his leg in an air cast.

Finebaum was brutal in his assessment of Riley, whose Trojans fell to 7-5 after a 38-20 loss to crosstown rival UCLA. And he got personal, calling Riley “a fraud” who should look in the mirror rather than make fired defensive coordinator Alex Grinch a “fall guy.”

With Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams at QB and several other skilled players, the Trojans were widely considered a playoff contender entering the season. Finebaum blamed Riley for ruining what is expected to be Williams’ final college campaign.

“I don’t know when I’ve seen a worse coaching job by anyone than by Lincoln Riley this year,” Finebaum said. “It’s a complete disaster. Quite frankly, he ought to pack up. I don’t know what his path is going forward. Lincoln Riley is nowhere near the coach that we all collectively tried to make him out to be.

Barrie chipped in with his own assessment.

“You couldn’t have bet me a million dollars that 7-5 was even in the cards — 7-5 and non-competitive is where we’re at with USC,” Barrie said.

The assessments on FSU weren’t so personal, though they came due to one personal injury. Barrie and Finebaum agreed that Travis’ injury drops the 11-0 Seminoles out of serious contention for the four-team playoffs.

Travis’ backup Tate Rodemaker was competent, but obviously a major drop-off in talent.

“They are loaded, there’s no question about it,” Barrie said. “But the thing that makes them go is the star quarterback.”

“I’m telling you right now they’re not one of the four best teams in the country,” Finebaum said. “They don’t belong without Jordan Travis. I think it hurts their chances very badly.”

Finebaum said he might change his opinion if FSU dominates Florida next weekend, a mission he expects Norvell to attempt.

“Florida State goes in there, they’re not trying to win the game, they’re trying to destroy the opposition,” Finebaum said.

Finebaum, the target of hate of Michigan fans this past week for his criticism of coach Jim Harbaugh, before the coach accepted a three-game Big Ten suspension, accused Michigan fans of attempting “to smear” non-partisan critics, and said he expects Harbaugh to look for a way out of Ann Arbor.

Barrie and Finebaum agreed that the CFP Committee would not select Michigan if the Wolverines lose to Ohio State next weekend. They also noted that Michigan hasn’t looked as strong since the sign-stealing controversy became public.