Alabama Will Face Former In-State Rival Quarterback In Week 1

The Alabama Crimson Tide will face a familiar face at quarterback in Saturday's season opener against Western Kentucky.

Former Auburn quarterback TJ Finley will start for the Hilltoppers against Alabama in Bryant-Denny Stadium to open the 2024 season. The former four-star recruit beat out Caden Veltkamp for the role, but head coach Tyson Helton alluded to both taking snaps.

“TJ will run out there first,” Helton said on Monday. “But I’ve told both quarterbacks that they both need to be ready to play. We’ll see how the game goes. I feel like at Camp either one of those men were deserving of being the starter. You can flip a coin to be quite honest. Somebody has to run out there first.”

Finley (6-foot-7, 238 pounds) began his career at LSU and later transferred to Auburn for the 2021 and 2022 seasons. He faced Alabama in the 2021 Iron Bowl, completing 17 of 26 passes for 137 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. Finley almost led the Tigers to a major upset win, but the Tide squeaked by with a 24-22 victory in a series-record four overtimes.

Finley transferred to Texas State ahead of the 2023 season and led the Bobcats to an 8-5 finish while throwing for 3,439 yards with 24 touchdowns to eight interceptions. The Ponchatoula, Louisiana, native joined Western Kentucky this offseason and will now lead the Hilltoppers against No. 5 Alabama to open the season.

The matchup is slated for Aug. 31 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN. This will be the first game of the Kalen DeBoer-era in Tuscaloosa.

Related: Georgia Loses Major Piece For Season Opener Against Clemson