Paul Finebaum Endorses Hugh Freeze’s Faith in Auburn Tigers’ Linchpin, Sees Potential for Resurgence in SEC Under Veteran Leadership

Paul Finebaum has long been considered the voice of the Southeastern Conference, a sharp-tongued analyst who rarely minces words when it comes to calling out underperforming programs or crowning new powers in college football’s most dominant conference. So, when Finebaum offers unprompted praise or shares in the optimism of a head coach known for polarizing opinions, it carries weight. This week, Finebaum threw his support behind Auburn Tigers head coach Hugh Freeze’s growing confidence in what he refers to as the team’s “linchpin” — the core element Freeze believes will drive a potential SEC resurgence.

In Freeze’s view, that linchpin isn’t one single player, but rather the unit tasked with protecting the quarterback and establishing physical dominance: the offensive line. After a turbulent few seasons marked by instability in the trenches and an identity crisis on offense, Freeze is bullish on the progress Auburn’s offensive line has made heading into the 2025 season. Finebaum, notably, agrees — and that’s no small endorsement.

Speaking on a recent SEC Network segment, Finebaum offered a rare moment of praise for the Tigers, a team he’s criticized harshly in recent years for failing to live up to its legacy. “Hugh Freeze is exactly right to call this offensive line the linchpin,” Finebaum said. “Because if Auburn is going to be relevant in the SEC West again — if they’re going to push Alabama or challenge LSU — it starts up front.”

Auburn’s offensive line has been a sore spot for years, a rotating cast of underdeveloped talent and transfer portal stopgaps that rarely gelled into a cohesive unit. The result was a predictable offensive scheme, a lack of protection for the quarterback, and a run game that lacked the explosiveness Auburn fans had grown accustomed to during the program’s better years. Under Freeze, the goal has been to flip that narrative. And according to those inside the program, that transformation is already beginning to take root.

“There’s continuity there now,” Freeze said during spring practices. “We’ve got returning starters who’ve embraced the system, and we’ve added some really talented pieces who want to play with a chip on their shoulder. That’s what Auburn football should look like — blue-collar, nasty, physical up front.”

That “chip” is a reference to Auburn’s hunger to shake off the mediocrity of recent seasons and return to the upper echelon of the SEC. Freeze, who enters his second full year as head coach after a transitional first campaign, has emphasized toughness, cohesion, and identity — all things he believes start in the trenches.

Finebaum sees the same qualities emerging. “They’re not where they want to be just yet,” he said, “but for the first time in a long time, you watch Auburn’s offensive line and you see attitude. You see guys finishing blocks. You see accountability. That’s the Freeze effect.”

It’s also a byproduct of recruiting and development. Auburn’s staff has made a concerted effort to rebuild the offensive line not just with talent, but with the right temperament. That included signing high-upside high school players while simultaneously landing battle-tested veterans through the portal. The result is a mix of youth and experience that offers the flexibility to handle the SEC’s relentless pass rushers while building toward future consistency.

At the center of that group is Avery Jones, a multi-year starter who transferred in from East Carolina and has become a vocal leader both on the field and in the locker room. Jones’ ability to anchor the line at center has brought much-needed stability, and Freeze has repeatedly praised his football IQ and leadership. “He’s the kind of guy you build around,” Freeze said. “He sets the tone every day.”

Flanking Jones are a pair of returning tackles who’ve taken major strides during the offseason, along with a guard rotation that Freeze says is the deepest he’s had in years. While Auburn may not have a future first-round pick among them just yet, the group as a whole represents a significant upgrade in cohesion and technique compared to years past.

It’s that cohesion that Finebaum believes could be the difference in Auburn becoming a dark horse threat in the SEC West. “There’s a mentality shift happening at Auburn,” he said. “They’re not just hoping they can compete. They’re expecting to compete. And that starts with believing in the guys up front.”

Of course, belief alone doesn’t win football games, and Freeze knows the margin for error in the SEC is razor-thin. That’s why the staff hasn’t let early praise go to the players’ heads. During a closed-door practice earlier this month, Freeze was seen giving a fiery speech to his offensive linemen, reminding them that effort in spring means little if it doesn’t carry over to Saturdays in the fall.

That edge — that sense of urgency — is something Finebaum says Auburn has lacked for too long. “This league doesn’t wait for anyone,” he said. “You fall behind in the SEC, and it takes years to catch back up unless you get everything right. And for Freeze, getting the line right is getting everything right.”

That’s not to say all of Auburn’s problems have been solved. Questions remain at quarterback, where the Tigers have yet to establish a surefire leader, and the wide receiver corps is still searching for a breakout star. But as Freeze and Finebaum both recognize, solving the offensive line issue gives Auburn a foundation that has eluded them for years. With time to throw and lanes to run, even an average skill-position group can overachieve.

Beyond the field, there’s a symbolic importance to the line’s development. Auburn’s fanbase has endured its fair share of frustrations, from coaching turnover to lackluster performances in rivalry games. The offensive line’s physicality is something tangible fans can rally around. It evokes memories of the dominant Auburn teams that steamrolled opponents with bruising ground games and iron-willed blocking.

“You win the Iron Bowl with toughness,” Finebaum said. “You don’t finesse your way past Alabama or Georgia. You punch them in the mouth. If Auburn’s offensive line plays like Freeze thinks they can, that game is back to being a coin flip.”

That’s a lofty statement considering the current gap between Auburn and its rivals in terms of recruiting rankings and recent success. But it also speaks to the psychological shift happening on the Plains. Freeze has brought a sense of identity, and now Finebaum — who has witnessed the highs and lows of Auburn football for decades — is buying in.

And he’s not alone. Several SEC analysts have echoed Finebaum’s sentiments in recent weeks, with some placing Auburn as a potential spoiler in the division thanks to their improved play up front. In a league dominated by blue-chip talent, it’s rare for a unit like the offensive line to generate headlines unless they’re either elite or catastrophic. Auburn, for the first time in years, appears to be trending toward the former.

Whether that progress translates to a nine- or ten-win season remains to be seen. Freeze remains cautious in his public expectations, preferring to let the play on the field speak for itself. But the confidence he exudes when talking about his linchpin is unmistakable — and for Finebaum to reflect that confidence is a significant development.

“Hugh Freeze knows how to build,” Finebaum concluded. “He’s done it before, and if he really believes in this line, I think Auburn fans should take notice. Because for the first time in a while, Auburn’s not just talking about competing in the SEC. They’re actually building a team that can do it.”

For Auburn fans weary from years of mediocrity and false dawns, it’s a refreshing message. For Finebaum, it’s a rare moment of endorsement. And for Freeze and his players, it’s a signal that they might just be turning the corner — with the offensive line leading the way.