Paul Finebaum Predicts Whether Auburn Can Overtake Alabama After Nick Saban’s Retirement
The matchup between the Alabama Crimson Tide and Auburn Tigers, commonly known as the Iron Bowl, is one of the most intense rivalries in college football.
This rivalry began in 1893, with Auburn winning the first game 40-16. Over the years, both teams have had exceptional coaches and players, with Alabama’s Nick Saban often regarded as the best. Saban took over as head coach at Alabama in 2007 and led the Crimson Tide to six national championships before retiring after the 2023 season. He also maintained a record of 12-5 against Auburn.
With Saban’s departure, questions arise about whether Auburn will now dominate the state, especially with Kalen DeBoer stepping in as the new head coach at Alabama. On “The Paul Finebaum Show,” the analyst from the SEC Network shared his thoughts on the potential shift in power with Saban no longer at the helm.
“There isn’t a lot of evidence to support that, yet,” Finebaum said. “But I do think, having watched Auburn and Alabama for over 40 years, normally when a legendary coach leaves, it gives the other school an opportunity, assuming they have the right coach in place.”
The key point mentioned by Finebaum is whether Auburn has the right coach in place. The Tigers are led by Hugh Freeze, who hasn’t achieved a winning season at Auburn in his first two years.
However, there is reason for optimism, as the Tigers have secured the No. 6 recruiting classand the No. 8 transfer portal class, according to 247Sports. Quarterback Jackson Arnold and wide receiver Eric Singleton Jr. are two of their most notable additions from the transfer portal.
In his first season as a starter for the Oklahoma Sooners, Arnold threw for 1,421 yards, completing 12 touchdowns and only three interceptions over 10 games. Singleton Jr. had a strong season for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, accumulating 754 yards and three touchdowns while being ranked among the top five players in the transfer portal.
These players will hope to put an end to Alabama’s five-game winning streak against Auburn, a streak Freeze has come close to breaking in the previous two seasons. In 2023, the Tigers lost on a fourth-and-31 play with just 32 seconds remaining when Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe found Isaiah Bond in the back corner of the end zone. Last season was more decisive; Auburn was trailing 14-6 at halftime before losing 28-14 to the Crimson Tide.
So, it remains to be seen if the tide has shifted to Auburn or if it still resides in Tuscaloosa.
