When TJ Finley committed to the Auburn football program back in May, he did so because he saw an opportunity to play for the Tigers. Finley came to the Plains with the intention to play, and from the very start he was committed to battling Bo Nix for the QB1 role:
"“They have a new system going in, and they feel like I fit their system, and it’s a lot of things that they are telling me that are very promising,” Finley told AL.com earlier this month. “Not saying they’re promising me anything, but it’s promising as far as the future. It’s basically that I can come in and compete for the starting job, and if I were good enough to be the No. 1 guy, I would be the No. 1 guy.”"
Finley got his chance tonight in the Tigers’ week four matchup versus Georgia State. The second half was looking grim as the third quarter began with Auburn down 24-12, and suddenly Finley was jogging out onto the field.
The LSU transfer led the Auburn Tigers to victory tonight, and the question on every Auburn football fan’s mind is this: Will TJ Finley start next weekend?
A loaded question, because the gravity of Finley getting his first start in orange and blue on the road versus his former team on their home turf is huge. The coaching staff could end up writing this off as a bad day for Nix and putting back in next weekend, but suddenly the quarterback competition has gotten a lot more interesting:
Aye, Call me crazy 🤷🏾♂️ But TJ Finley may be starting a SPECIAL story 💡 Transfer from LSU, win the starting job in the 2nd half of a game you’re supposed to DEMOLISH …. Your first start is vs LSU …. AT LSU 👀
— ⭐️Deshaun Davis⭐ (@_Davis_Boy12) September 25, 2021
We’re about to get TJ Finley vs Max Johnson in Tiger Stadium at 8 pm next weekend, aren’t we?
— Shea Dixon (@Sheadixon) September 25, 2021
The first career start for TJ Finley (LSU transfer) in an Auburn uniform may come against… LSU. pic.twitter.com/GQsFLBfhbn
— Pablo Escobarner (blue chek) (@PabloEscoburner) September 25, 2021
TJ Finley back at Death Valley next week? Hmmm
— Sam (@SDBarner) September 25, 2021
TJ Finley on going back to LSU next Saturday: "It's going to be amazing. I can't wait. A lot of players there have supported my decision to come here."
— Jordan D. Hill (@JordanDavisHill) September 25, 2021
Said there's no "bad blood" with LSU since so many people have supported his decision to transfer
The Auburn football depth charts this season have been released on the Monday prior to the game, so we’ll have to wait until then to see if Harsin chooses to make any official changes.