Paul Finebaum: Carnell Williams has saved the Iron Bowl

Carnell Williams is owed a certain amount of respect for what he has done with the Auburn football program since taking over as its interim head coach. The firing of Bryan Harsin felt like a very clear end to the season. However, the way the Tigers have played over Williams’ three games at the helm shows a team that is rejuvenated with a purpose to play for.

From what Paul Finebaum said on ‘McElroy and Cubelic In The Morning’ on Monday, he believes ‘Cadillac’s’ effort has gone all the way as to save this season’s Iron Bowl. The matchup between Auburn and Alabama did not look all that interesting with how both team’s seasons have played out. With Williams in charge, though, Finebaum believes that the Iron Bowl will better live up to its expectation.

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“Carnell Williams has saved the Iron Bowl. This was a game that, quite frankly, not that many people were looking forward to,” said Finebaum. “This was looking like one of the worst Iron Bowls in modern history. But what Carnell has done is he has given it a purpose.”

With that said, the Iron Bowl wasn’t going to just be an Auburn problem this season. The Tigers have had their fair share of issues, but Alabama hasn’t been the typical world-beater they are either. In fact, in comparison to the energy that Williams has brought to Auburn, Finebaum has no idea what Saban will have to say to get the Crimson Tide motivated for this weekend.

“I don’t know what Nick Saban’s message to the team really is. Because they do not have a path to the playoff,” Finebaum said.

Fans want to see competitive games come rivalry weekend that best showcases the disdain between two programs. The problem is the Iron Bowl was looking like anything but just a few short weeks ago. Now, with how things have played out for both sides, Williams and Saban should be set for a fairly alluring new edition of the Iron Bowl come its 3:30 p.m. EST kick on CBS.