BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) – Auburn left the college football world speechless Saturday when the Tigers knocked off No. 1 Georgia on the road, including college football analyst Paul Finebaum.
Finebaum joined Good Day Alabama Monday and said he still couldn’t explain what happened Saturday night in Athens.
“There was one Auburn fan in America who picked Auburn to win,” Finebaum said, referring to country music star Riley Green. “When he said it on our show Saturday morning, I started laughing.”
Auburn kicker Alex McPherson (38) kicks a field goal as holder Hudson Kaak, left, looks on during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Georgia, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)(Colin Hubbard | AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)
The Tigers entered Saturday’s game as a 20.5-point underdog to the top-ranked Bulldogs. With the score tied in the closing seconds, Alex McPherson kicked a 34-yard walk-off field goal to stun the capacity crowd in Athens.
“It makes no sense, but that’s college football,” Finebaum said. “Nobody thought they were going to win. They were a 21-point underdog. It wasn’t even possible because of how poorly Auburn has played. It’s one of the biggest shocks I have ever seen.”
Alex Golesh’s first season on the Plains hasn’t gone perfectly, with losses to Florida and Tennessee earlier in the year.
Finebaum said the win over Georgia gives Auburn fans a reason to exhale.
“Not only was his postgame interview one of the most poignant I’ve ever heard, we have finally wiped away the stench of the Brian Harsin-Hugh Freeze era,” Finebaum said. “That’s over now and I think Auburn fans can exhale. They finally have a great, potentially great coach down there.”
Auburn head coach Alex Golesh reacts after an NCAA college football game against Georgia, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)(Colin Hubbard | AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)
Auburn returns to Jordan-Hare Stadium Saturday to take on No. 18 LSU.
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