For many of you, hearing the name Paul Finebaum may incite a litany of emotions, but no one can deny his legendary status as one of the premier college football analysts in the country.
For Texas A&M and head coach Jimbo Fisher, Finebaum has been both a friend and general thorn in his side since arriving in College Station nearly six years ago, and after the Aggies’ highly disappointing 5-7 2022 campaign, Finebaum was there to fairly criticize the program’s woeful on-field display.
On the contrary, Finebaum has surprisingly developed a more optimistic tone regarding A&M’s chances to rebound during the 2023 season, and during his Monday morning appearance on McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning, the “Mouth of the South” made it clear to those listening: Texas A&M is a clear contender in the SEC West next season.
“I think you just have to cut the narrative out from last season and this season, and just look at what’s on that team and how many impact players they have,” Finebaum stated on the show. “Can they overcome a lot of things?”
Yes, the 2023 schedule is favorable with home games against Auburn, Alabama, South Carolina, and Mississippi State, yet their Nov. 4th road trip to Oxford, Mississippi to face the always ostentatious Rebels head coach, Lane Kiffin is standing in their way. Well, Finebaum seems to think that the Rebel’s fall from grace after defeating the Aggies (who lost their final four games) is still an issue that may seep into the 2023 campaign.
“I’m still bothered by the end of last season,” he said. “I know the media narrative is ‘It had a lot to do with Lane Kiffin and Auburn.’ I don’t know. Come on. That may have been a factor on the final game, but that was not wafting through the waters of some of the other games. Ole Miss just simply collapsed last year, and that has to be dealt with.”
Shifting his focus to the matchup that will surely garner huge ratings once again, Alabama’s return to College Station on Saturday, Oct. 7 might define that Aggies season if consistency is discovered in their first five games before what is likely to be a primetime showdown.
“I think it’s a tremendous advantage to have the Alabama game at home,” Finebaum stated. “That’s where A&M planted its flag two years ago and nearly did it last year in Tuscaloosa. I feel pretty good about them.”
What caused this sudden change of heart? It’s pretty simple; Texas A&M may have holes in their roster like every team in the county, but other than that obvious fact, this team is poised to not only rebound next season but make a serious run in their return to the postseason.
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Cameron on Twitter: @CameronOhnysty
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