Paul Finebaum Names One SEC Program That Has Blown Him Away

The Alabama Crimson Tide have outperformed their in-state rival, the Auburn Tigers, for most of the 2000s. Auburn's last 10-win season was in 2017 under Gus Malzahn.

While Alabama has been the better team within the last two decades, Auburn has "blown away" Paul Finebaum. Finebaum discussed it in a recent " McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning " episode.

"It has blown me away," Finebaum said. "I feel like right now Auburn is literally on fire recruiting, and that is such an integral part. And some can argue, 'Well hey, let's look at the charts, let's look at this.' Recruiting is about momentum."

Hugh Freeze has recruited well so far with Auburn. The program had the eighth-best recruiting for 2024 and fifth-best in the SEC, per the On3 Industry Rankings .

Some of the best commits to Auburn from the 2024 class included former five-star receiver Cam Coleman , former four-star receiver Perry Thompson , former four-star edge rusher Amaris Williams , and former four-star linebacker Demarcus Riddick .

The Tigers added vital players like former Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith, former Alabama defensive back Antonio Kite, and former Mississippi State Bulldogs offensive tackle Percy Lewis.

Auburn returns key players such as quarterback Payton Thorne, linebacker Eugene Asante, running back Jarquez Hunter, and offensive lineman Dillon Wade.

Freeze led the Tigers to a 6-7 record in 2023 after losing to the Maryland Terrapins in the Music City Bowl.

Auburn opens the 2024 season against the Alabama A&M Bulldogs on Aug. 31.

Related: USA TODAY Officially Reveals Preseason College Football Rankings