Auburn has struggled to meet expectations in recent years, failing to win more than six games in any season since 2019 and enduring its fourth consecutive losing record last year.
The Tigers’ campaign ended with just five regular-season wins and marked only the second time in four years they missed out on a bowl game.
However, expectations are cautiously rising for the upcoming season, with many in the SEC believing Auburn is poised for a turnaround.
In a recent Athlon Sports survey of SEC coaches speaking anonymously about their rivals, Auburn was singled out as a potential sleeper team in 2025.
“Watch out here – they finally have a quarterback who can run [Hugh] Freeze’s system, and they’ve done some really impressive work in the portal. They’re not an elite team by any stretch, but this is the most complete roster Freeze has put together since he got there,” one coach said.
“They finally have a quarterback, honestly. [Jackson] Arnold is not a world-beater, you can rattle him, but he’s a Day 1 upgrade, and the receiving room is really deep. The Georgia Tech kid [Eric Singleton Jr.] is a legit baller and a big get,” another added.
There is also confidence in the team’s defense and overall improvement.
“This offense is going to be better, and that’s going to help that defense a lot more. [DJ] Durkin’s done a really good job with these guys, and it’s what kept them in a lot of their games last year,” said one coach.
“I think this is a turnaround year for these guys, and they’re definitely bowling.”
Despite the encouraging outlook from peers, head coach Hugh Freeze remains measured when discussing goals for the season.
“I don’t get into that,” Freeze said. “You never know, injuries and the way the ball bounces and all of that. But there should be improvement made of us being able to be better in those critical situations that cost us some games last year.
“Heck, this league’s hard, as you know. That’s why you don’t put a benchmark on yourself. You have no idea what’s going to go on at every one of these programs, and even the health of your own team and stuff. So, I don’t put benchmarks on it, but we should be in every game.”
While results on the field have yet to reflect major progress, Freeze has built momentum off the field with back-to-back top-10 recruiting classes. Quarterback Jackson Arnold, one of the most anticipated newcomers, has earned high praise from Freeze.
“There were no weaknesses. There was a reason he was the Gatorade Player of the Year,” Freeze said of Arnold. “Everything I saw in the spring validated what I knew of him as a recruit.
“He’s got the arm strength, he’s got enough mobility, he’s got a high enough football IQ, a competitive spirit. He just needed some confidence, I think our receiver room helps him with that… I’m excited to see what he’s going to do this fall.”
Currently, Freeze holds an 11-14 record as Auburn’s head coach, including a 5-11 mark in SEC play.
Despite his mediocre record, the future seems bright for Auburn – at least according to many SEC coaches.
What are your thoughts on the Tigers being named a surprise team that the SEC needs to “watch out” for???
