Paul Finebaum: ‘It’s up to Hugh Freeze to deliver’ vs. Oklahoma

Auburn is down, but not out, Paul Finebaum said Saturday.

The SEC Nation pre-game show on the SEC Network is broadcasting live from Auburn, site of the Tigers' SEC battle vs. Oklahoma at Jordan-Hare Stadium on Saturday afternoon. However, Tigers fans remain optimistic, Finebaum said, but ned their head coach to come through.

"I came down here this week expecting doom and gloom, but what I have found here interestingly enough is optimism," Finebaum said. "I talked to John Cohen yesterday, the athletic director, and instead of saying they are at their wit's end, he talked about the progress that this program has made, when you juxtapose it against what has previously happened here. So, I'm actually feeling better in spite of a lot of negativity and doubting from pundits.

"But the one thing that I've always learned — and I've covered Auburn off and on for more than 40 years — Auburn fans never lose faith. They still believe in Hugh Freeze. So now it's up to Hugh Freeze to deliver today."

Freeze has reportedly made another quarterback change, with Payton Thorne back in for Hank Brown after two games. Thorne started the Tigers' first two games this season, then came off the bench in the second half of last week's loss to Arkansas.

Auburn has moved the ball well throughout the season, but has been done in by an FBS-worst 14 turnovers. Tim Tebow, Finebaum's fellow SEC National panelist, said Thorne also must step forward on Saturday.

"This offense is starving for hope and they need Payton Thorne to be a hope carrier," said Tebow, the 2007 Heisman Trophy winner at Florida. "They need him to show up and inspire the rest. They need him to be contagious and part of that is being effective and efficient enough that (running back) Jarquez Hunter can get going in this. ... Let's see if (Thorne) can take the next steps. We've seen it at times, but it hasn't been consistent."

Jordan Rodgers, also a former SEC quarterback and Vanderbilt, added that Hunter will be a big key for Auburn vs. Oklahoma.

"This football game is about Jarquez Hunter and running the football," Rodgers said. "So if the Auburn quarterbacks can not throw it to the other team and you can get 27 (Hunter's number) going, that's a great recipe for Auburn today."

Kickoff for Auburn vs. Oklahoma is set for 2:30 p.m. on ABC.