TJ Finley was LSU's starting QB vs Alabama. Now with Auburn football, it's 'much more special'

AUBURN — The Finley family has wondered recently if the talking heads forgot about T.J. Finley's background.

“We’ve been hearing people say, ‘Is the moment too big for him? Will he fold under pressure?’ They don’t realize this is a kid who has had success in the SEC,” his mom, Shannon Finley, said. “He’s won some good games. He’s had hard lessons in a few games. It made him more mature on and off the field.”

One of those not-so-good games was against Alabama last year. As a freshman starting quarterback at LSU, Finley was 14-for-28 with 144 yards in the third quarter when LSU turned to Max Johnson for the rest of the game. Alabama won, 55-17.

Still, Finley got a taste of a notably intense rivalry and took the learning experience in stride. Now he's facing Alabama again — as the starting quarterback for another rival.

"I think the difference is here at Auburn, it’s an Iron Bowl; at LSU, it’s just a rivalry game," Finley said. "Here it’s something much more special."

Finley has been doing his research before taking the field for the 2:30 p.m. Saturday kickoff. A couple hours before he met with local media Tuesday, he learned about the late Pat Dye's influence in moving the game from Legion Field in Birmingham so that it could be played in Auburn and Tuscaloosa.

"To be a part of it is an unbelievable experience," Finley said. "When I was at LSU I never paid attention to other teams' schedules and other teams' traditions and rituals. When I came here and I was introduced to the Iron Bowl, I was pretty shocked that this game was so special."

Finley made his first Auburn start last week in a 21-17 loss at South Carolina, filling in for Bo Nix after season-ending ankle surgery. He was 17-for-32 with 188 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. But Auburn (6-5, 3-4 SEC) didn't get in the end zone after the first half.

A negative for the passing offense: For the first time this season, no tight ends had a reception.

"Tight ends have mismatches sometimes," Finley said. "Tight ends go against buck linebackers. They go against free safeties and things like that. So getting the tight ends involved will be very important this game."

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A positive from South Carolina: With sophomore leading receiver Kobe Hudson out, Finley developed a strong chemistry with senior Shedrick Jackson. They connected seven times for 111 yards.

"Shed got a lot of man coverage, and I have been preaching to Shed that he can be a dangerous receiver," Finley said. "I have been preaching that to him since I got here, once I saw his speed and his ability to stop on a dime and his strength. He can be a great receiver. The thing about him is that he needs to focus on doing that every snap — putting fear in the defensive backs' eyes every snap."

Their rapport might be crucial again this week if Hudson is unavailable. He suffered a hit to the head in Auburn's loss to Mississippi State and wasn't with the team in South Carolina.

Finley said Hudson was cleared for non-contact activity Tuesday, adding, "I hope we can get Kobe back this week. I think we will." Hudson made one of Auburn's best plays of the season before his injury against Mississippi State, a one-handed touchdown catch.

With or without the added threat of Hudson, Finley will play a key role against an Alabama (10-1, 6-1) pass defense that has been a weak spot. Finley acknowledged he'll feel nervous as he takes the Iron Bowl stage. But his homework on the history of the game has given him an appreciation.

"Just to be able to be starting in this game is an unbelievable experience," he said. "I can’t wait."

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Auburn football's TJ Finley did his homework to learn Iron Bowl history