6. Auburn Tigers (6-6, 2-6)
Hugh Freeze’s first year will likely be a rocky one, and the Tigers are going to go only so far as their defense will carry them. It’s going to take a couple of years to re-inject enough talent into the Tiger roster, which had fallen behind the other SEC West contenders the last three or four years. Freeze, a very good offensive mind, might be able to steal one or two games this year and get Auburn back to a bowl.
Rankings (Ex, Vg, Av, Fr, Pr)
| Quarterbacks: Fr Running Backs: Av Wide Receivers: Fr Offensive Line: Pr | Defensive Line: Av Linebackers: Fr Defensive Backs: Vg Special Teams: Vg |
Offense: What could go right
It’s going to depend greatly on whether RB Jarquez Hunter rejoins the team before the end of fall camp; he’s been out of action dealing with off-field issues. If Hunter is available, he’ll make a pretty good one-two-three combo with Damari Alston and USF transfer Brian Battie and give Freeze a running game he can count on. Michigan State transfer QB Payton Thorne beat out incumbent Robbie Ashford for the job early in fall camp and will provide much better accuracy, albeit at the cost of less dynamic playmaking ability. The wide receiver corps has probably the most size of any unit in the division.
Offense: What could go wrong
Just about everything else. If Hunter is out for any extended period of time, the running back depth chart suddenly goes into red alert, because Battie’s size forces him into a situational role. The overall talent level at receiver is not in the same class as the rest of the SEC West, and while Thorne gives Auburn a lot of experience at the QB position, he’s also thrown double-digit interceptions in both his years as a starter at Michigan State. Ashford is barely a quarterback, essentially a running back in a quarterback’s jersey. The biggest issue of all, though, is an offensive line that could be the worst in the conference, even with three transfers projected to start.
Defense: What could go right
Special teams are solid, which is as much an Auburn tradition as anything else at the school. The addition of Battie gives Auburn an elite option in the return game. The defensive backfield overachieved in 2022, returns almost intact from last year and also added some nice pieces over the offseason. Freeze also went to the portal to bolster depth along the defensive line. Defensive coordinator Ron Roberts is considered by some as one of the best minds in the business, even though his name isn’t exactly a household word.
Defense: What could go wrong
Talent deficiencies persist up front and especially in the linebacker corps, where Auburn can hope to really just become passable. There’s a lack of explosiveness all the way across, and the Tiger secondary better be as good as advertised because the front seven probably won’t be able to consistently pressure the passer. Given the struggles the offense is expected to have, there’s a point at which Auburn’s defense could wind up being on the field too much.
One-sentence summary: It’s Freeze’s reputation versus the reality of talent level.
Hugh Freeze will likely succeed at Auburn, but it won’t be this year. A 6-6 record is probably at the top end of expectations. Auburn simply doesn’t have the ammunition to get into a firefight with the SEC’s top teams, but Freeze’s prowess as a recruiter will cut the gap in short order.