If at first you don't succeed, try and try again. That certainly seems to be the case with TJ Finley and the Crimson Tide.
Finley, a fifth-year quarterback for Western Kentucky, opens up his 2024 NCAA football season going up against No. 5 Alabama in Tuscaloosa. The Hilltoppers have a tall task ahead of them as they aim to knock off the defending SEC champions in what is Alabama's first game with new head coach Kalen DeBoer at the helm.
The game also marks Finley's first as the starting quarterback for Western Kentucky. The 22-year-old from Louisiana has bounced around in his college career, starting in his home state at LSU in 2020 before transferring to Auburn for two seasons. He transferred again for the 2023 season, this time going to Texas State, and once again entered the portal this offseason before landing at Western Kentucky.
Finley's journeyman career set up most intriguing part about the Alabama-Western Kentucky contest: It is the fourth time Finley will face the Crimson Tide across three different teams.
Here is more to know about Finley's history against Alabama.
BENDER: Projecting the 12-team field for the 2024 College Football Playoff
Who is TJ Finley?
Finley is a quarterback for Western Kentucky, currently in his fifth season of playing collegiate football.
A three-star recruit coming out of high school and the top QB prospect in Louisiana that year, Finley committed to LSU over other offers from notable football powerhouses such as Oregon, Auburn and, ironically, Alabama.
After one year in Baton Rouge, Finley transferred to Auburn. In 2021, he took over the starting job for the Tigers when Bo Nix went down in the middle of the season with an injury. He was named the starting quarterback for the 2022 season but eventually lost the job to Robby Ashford.
He then transferred to Texas State, a program in the Sun Belt Conference. After starring for the Bobcats, he entered into the transfer portal yet again this past offseason, joining Western Kentucky as their new starting QB.
MORE: How much did Western Kentucky get paid for game vs. Alabama?
TJ Finley stats vs. Alabama
Finley is a familiar opponent for the Crimson Tide. Since he spent three years in the SEC, he was across the field three times from Alabama, once in 2020, 2021 and 2022, respectively. But the result is what college football fans may have anticipated — Finley's teams are 0-3 against the Crimson Tide.
Alabama 57, LSU 17 — Dec. 5, 2020
His first performance against Alabama came during his freshman season at LSU. The game was a one-sided affair, as the Crimson Tide blew out the Tigers 55-17.
| Comp-Att | Yards | TDs | INTs |
| 14-28 | 144 | 1 | 0 |
Alabama 24, Auburn 22 (4OT) — Nov. 27, 2021
Finley's second time squaring up against Alabama came in 2021, this time when he played for Auburn. The contest was much closer, as the two sides battled it out for four overtimes, but the Tide eventually prevailed, coming out on top, 24-22.
| Comp-Att | Yards | TDs | INTs |
| 17-26 | 137 | 2 | 1 |
Alabama 49, Auburn 27 — Nov. 26, 2022
The third time Finley opposed Alabama was during the 2022 campaign, though he did not play in the game. He had lost the Auburn starting QB job earlier in the season to Ashford.
DeCOURCY: Why the 12-team College Football Playoff means the 2024 season will be the best ever
TJ Finley stats
Here is a look at Finley's stats in college entering the 2024 season.
| Season | Team | Comp-Att | Comp% | Yards | TDs | INTs |
| 2020 | LSU | 80-140 | 57.1% | 941 | 5 | 5 |
| 2021 | Auburn | 51-91 | 56.0% | 600 | 5 | 1 |
| 2022 | Auburn | 33-53 | 62.3% | 431 | 1 | 4 |
| 2023 | Texas State | 264-385 | 68.6% | 3,287 | 24 | 8 |
| Total | — | 462-735 | 62.9% | 5,638 | 36 | 18 |