Paul Finebaum delivered a stark warning about the Friday night season opener on Aug. 30 between the Auburn Tigers and the Baylor Bears matchup in Waco.
Speaking on the McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning podcast, he emphasized the potential dangers lurking in what many consider a winnable game for Auburn.
“It’s the first one. It’s the Friday night game against Baylor. I don’t think a lot of people take Baylor seriously,” Finebaum explained. “You’ve been there. You understand what that stadium can be like, especially on a Friday night opening the season. Again, the big SEC school.”
The timing and climate set the stage for an upset. McLane Stadium is a hostile arena during primetime games, especially season openers. Baylor students will be charged up to play an SEC team, while Auburn comes into new territory with the burden of recent adversity.
Finebaum’s worries go beyond the immediate problem of winning at Waco. He perceives this game as a possible catalyst that can ruin Auburn’s season if anything goes wrong early on.
Hugh Freeze Enters Third Year With Auburn Program
Hugh Freeze is entering his third year in Auburn and it feels like the tide has turned. The record for Freeze is mixed in his two years: 11-14 overall record. The Tigers have played in just one bowl game, a loss, in the 2023 Music City Bowl.
Freeze is taking on a serious threat in Dave Aranda’s Baylor Bears, who have not had strong results lately. The Bears realistically think they are going to compete for a Big 12 championship in 2025 and therefore are not going to be the easy win some Auburn folks might think.
Finebaum emphasized a loss could trigger throughout Auburn’s difficult upcoming schedule. Every subsequent game would carry amplified importance, creating pressure that could overwhelm a team still finding its identity.
“The reason why I think it’s so important is that if Auburn loses that game, that’s one that most people believe they should win,” Finebaum noted.
“Then, they’re suddenly behind the curtain, where every swing game becomes magnified. I think, for that reason, it is the most important game on the schedule,” he added.
The analyst also acknowledged other games will matter significantly, particularly the season-ending Iron Bowl against Alabama. However, he maintains the Baylor opener holds unique importance because of its potential to shape everything that follows.
With so much riding on Freeze’s third season with Auburn, the Tigers can’t afford to fumble early on. An early loss in Waco would have the Tigers playing catch-up and pairing that uphill climb with a demanding SEC schedule would make it even more difficult.
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