Paul Finebaum makes epic Alabama-Tennessee pick by rising from orange casket: ‘It was suffocating’

Paul Finebaum knows how to make an entrance.

The SEC Network analyst, during “SEC Nation,” revealed his pick for the game between No. 3 Alabama and No. 6 Tennessee by rising from an orange Tennessee casket – with pallbearers, or Paul-bearers.

In other words, Finebaum channeled his inner The Undertaker.

It wasn’t his idea, though. Finebaum told AL.com on Saturday the idea was hatched by producer Baron Miller.

“It was a suffocating feeling being in there, but I wasn’t in it long enough for it be an issue.

“It was a relief to be able to get out of the casket. Most people aren’t that fortunate.”

The Vols have lost 15 straight to Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide.

Alabama has been a regular atop the SEC — not to mention winning six national titles — since hiring Nick Saban as head coach. He is 15-0 against Tennessee since then and he knows how crucial beating Tennessee is no matter the records.

The Vols are coming off a 40-13 win at LSU, while Alabama had to hold on to beat Texas A&M 24-20, a win that dropped the Tide two spots from the No. 1 ranking.

The Vols see themselves as the Crimson’s Tide’s biggest challenge though.

Quarterback Bryce Young is expected to start Saturday after missing Alabama’s win over Texas A&M with a sprained shoulder. Redshirt freshman Jalen Milroe stepped in for the reigning Heisman Trophy winner and delivered an uneven performance against the Aggies.

Alabama has won 27 straight regular-season games against SEC Eastern Division opponents, dating back to a 35-21 loss at South Carolina on Oct. 9, 2010.

The game kicks at 2:30 p.m. and will be live streamed on Paramount+ (free trial), fuboTV (free trial) and DirecTV Stream (free trial).

The Associated Press contributed to this report.