Paul Finebaum drops bombshell on Auburn’s bold 2025 football dreams

Paul Finebaum has expressed confidence in Auburn football and is optimistic about the Tigers’ prospects for 2025. This optimism stems from head coach Hugh Freeze’s efforts in reshaping the roster, particularly through the transfer portal, highlighted by the addition of former Oklahoma quarterback Jackson Arnold.

Paul Finebaum

Finebaum is particularly impressed with Freeze’s success in recruiting within Alabama, as Auburn secured commitments from eight of the top 10 in-state prospects.

“I’m also strangely bullish – and I don’t think it’s strange, but every time I bring this up to somebody, they shoot me down. But I like what I see from Auburn,” Finebaum stated, as reported by On3.

“I think they went out and landed a quarterback that I think can help them, even though he maybe didn’t do much for Oklahoma,” he added.

Despite his optimism, Finebaum acknowledged Auburn’s recent struggles, including a 5-7 finish in 2024. “Now he still faces a critical season. I’m not washing that away. And it really doesn’t matter and it won’t matter if he doesn’t have a big year, but I do like the momentum there,” he explained.

Freeze’s tenure on the Plains has shown promise, but he has yet to prove his ability to win pivotal road games. Fortunately for Auburn, their most important matchups—the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry and the Iron Bowl—will be held at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

With Georgia showing signs of defensive decline and Alabama facing uncertainty under new head coach Kalen DeBoer, Auburn has a significant opportunity this season. Even losses to both rivals might not shut the door on a potential College Football Playoff berth, mirroring Tennessee’s resurgence in recent years.

For many Auburn fans, a 7-5 or 8-4 season would still represent progress and bolster optimism for the program’s future. Freeze has already gained the trust of a sizable portion of the fan base, and with a new quarterback, the development of two strong recruiting classes, and the addition of the nation’s No. 6 recruiting class, expectations are steadily climbing.