The Hugh Freeze era begins now, Paul Finebaum said.

On the eve of the Auburn football coach’s second season on The Plains, the SEC Network analyst calls 2024 a re-start for the Tigers and for Freeze.

“Last year was a collection of high-wire moments, some success, some absolutely bitter disappointment from the Alabama game to the New Mexico State game and obviously the bowl game,” Finebaum told “McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning” on WJOX 94.5 in Birmingham on Monday. “For Hugh Freeze, this is where it begins, and I’m not saying he’s on the clock, because he’s not. He’s well-liked, and he there’s every reason to think it’s going to be an imminently successful program. But I think now we can start looking objectively at what he’s doing.”

RELATED: What the RB room looks like ahead of spring camp

The Tigers finished 6-7 in Year 1 under Freeze with three straight losses to New Mexico State (31-10), Alabama (27-24) and Maryland (31-13).

Finebaum outlined what a successful season in 2024 looks like for Auburn. Eight wins, he proclaimed.

“There was a time when 8-4 got you fired at Auburn,” Finebaum said. “It wasn’t that long ago, just ask (former coach) Gus Malzahn. But I think that’ the bottom, and I think he has to turn a couple of games. I think being in the conversation for the playoff is what I’m looking for.

“Last year, it was .500. It was going to a bowl game. This year, better than that. By the way, 8-4, that means if you miss one of those games, you’re 7-5, which would be disappointing. And if you’re 9-3, you’ve had a pretty good year, which means you’re on the verge of the playoffs. So I think that’s where it is.”

Check out the Finebaum’s full interview.

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.