Paul Finebaum Blames Major SEC Head Coach for Embarrassing Week 2 Loss

The Ole Miss Rebels pulled off two major upsets of the Alabama Crimson Tide from 2014-15. However, the team only won nine games in 2014 and 10 in 2015.

Hugh Freeze was the head coach of Ole Miss at the time. Freeze left the program after the 2016 season and became the head coach of the Liberty Flames from 2019-22.

Freeze returned to the SEC in 2023 to coach for the Auburn Tigers. It was not the easiest season for Auburn, but the Tigers reached a bowl game in year one of the Freeze era.

Auburn suffered a painful 21-14 loss to the California Golden Bears in Week 2. The Tigers won last season's matchup 14-10. After the loss, Paul Finebaum appeared on " McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning ." Finebaum identified the one to blame for the loss and said it was head coach Hugh Freeze.

While many blamed it on quarterback Payton Thorne, Finebaum went for Freeze. Thorne finished the game with 165 passing yards, one touchdown, and four interceptions.

“There’s no one else to blame but Hugh Freeze,” Finebaum said. “If you want to pile on Payton Thorne, go right ahead. He’s the one Hugh Freeze chose. Hugh Freeze is the offensive wizard. Hugh Freeze is the head coach. ... This is someone Hugh Freeze banked the entire season.”

Freeze had some bad losses in 2023. Auburn lost to the New Mexico State Aggies 31-14 at Jordan-Hare Stadium last season.

The loss comes after Auburn scored 73 points against Alabama A&M in its season opener. The Tigers' offense had 628 total yards in the win. Against Cal, Auburn's offense had just 286 total yards.

Auburn is back at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Week 3 to face the New Mexico Lobos. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2) on Sept. 14.

Related: Paul Finebaum Names One SEC Program That Has Blown Him Away