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Paul Finebaum says Auburn found momentum, ‘seemed like a different team’
By Rolando Rosa
Published:
Paul Finebaum recently shared his thoughts after Auburn’s first SEC victory of the season during an appearance on McElroy And Cubelic In The Morning.
Auburn (4-4) defeated visiting Mississippi State 27-13 to earn its first SEC win in 5 tries and the first for new head coach Hugh Freeze. Quarterback Payton Thorne completed 20 of his 26 passes for 230 yards, 3 touchdowns and no interceptions.
The ESPN analyst believes this is a step in the right direction for the Tigers.
“It seemed like a different team than what we had previously seen in recent weeks….Considering where this program is, Auburn fans should embrace it,” Finebaum said. “Comparing beating Mississippi State vs. someone else is a whole different situation. But I think for now what Auburn needs is some momentum to try to finish the season on a high note. They got that Saturday afternoon.”
Finebaum believes expectations should’ve been tempered for Auburn in Year 1 under Freeze. However, now he sees the opportunity for more wins down the stretch vs. Vanderbilt, Arkansas and New Mexico State before Auburn hosts Alabama in the Iron Bowl.
“This was a challenged team from the beginning. Everyone knew that. I think that was 1 reason why Hugh Freeze carried on the way he did. It’s important to try to find something to lock onto,” Finebaum said. “Fortunately this year in the SEC there’s a couple of those games and another 1 coming up I think for Auburn that you can grab and take something out of. Then take a wild swing in that final game of the year.”
Auburn at Vanderbilt is slated for a 4 p.m. EST kickoff this Saturday (SEC Network).
