At Auburn, there are two non-negotiables for any head coach: beat Alabama and compete for SEC championships. Since Hugh Freeze took over in 2023, neither box has been checked. In his first two seasons at the helm, Auburn finished with 6–7 and 5–7 records that fell short of the expectations at a program with Auburn’s pedigree.
The Tigers nearly broke through in 2023, coming close to upsetting Alabama in the Iron Bowl. But with just 32 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Jalen Milroe found Isaiah Bond for a game-winning touchdown, stealing a 27-24 win from the Tigers.
Freeze, long known for his explosive offenses and past success at Ole Miss and Liberty, hasn’t yet recreated that magic on the Plains. Still, his slow start shouldn’t come as a shock. The first two years of a rebuild are often turbulent, especially in today’s era of constant roster churn, portal volatility, and NIL influence.
Year 3 Brings Expectations, Not Excuses
Now entering Year 3, Auburn fans expect more than effort—they want results. That doesn’t necessarily mean beating Alabama or making a surprise SEC title run, but 2025 can’t look like a rerun of Freeze’s first two seasons. And to his credit, Freeze and his staff were aggressive in the portal this offseason, reshaping the roster for what they hope is a breakthrough campaign.
At quarterback, the Tigers brought in former five-star Jackson Arnold from Oklahoma, where he spent his freshman season. He’ll lead an offense that added dynamic playmakers like Horatio Fields and Eric Singleton via the portal. Both are expected to join former five-star Cam Coleman in forming one of the SEC’s more intriguing receiving trios.
In the trenches, Auburn reinforced both sides of the ball with additions like Xavier Chapman, Mason Murphy, James Ash, and Jay Hardy. The talent infusion is clear, but the question remains whether that talent can mesh quickly. As Ohio State showed with its 2024 national title run, portal-built rosters can win big if the coaching and chemistry align.
But This is the SEC—Not the Big Ten
Still, Auburn doesn’t play in the Big Ten. The SEC gauntlet is a weekly test, and Freeze’s squad will need more than just raw talent to survive it. Ohio State’s toughest tests in 2024 came against Oregon and Michigan. Outside of those matchups, they largely cruised. Auburn will face high-level competition almost every Saturday.
If the Tigers can’t elevate their level of play week to week, the portal investments may be seen as wasted, and the already restless fanbase won’t hesitate to voice its frustration. The pressure is real.
No Easy Road in 2025
Auburn’s 2025 schedule is among the most brutal in the SEC. The season opens on the road against Baylor—a critical tone-setting game for Freeze and company. Matchups with Ball State and a sneaky-dangerous South Alabama team follow that. In 2024, the Jaguars ranked sixth in FCS in scoring and 13th in total yards per game. With much of their offensive firepower returning, they’ll be no pushover in Week 3.
Then comes the real test: a three-game SEC stretch against Oklahoma, Texas A&M, and Georgia—three teams expected to be in the conference title mix. Starting the season 3-0 is a must for Auburn to stay afloat. A loss to Baylor would put Freeze on the back foot immediately, while a close call against South Alabama could shake fan confidence early.
Fortunately, the second half of the schedule offers some potential relief. Matchups with Missouri, Kentucky, Vanderbilt, and Arkansas are all winnable. A late-season tune-up against Mercer precedes the Iron Bowl, which returns to Jordan-Hare in 2025. Auburn could be playing for bowl eligibility—or pride, if things go south by that point.
A Defining Season Ahead
No one’s demanding a College Football Playoff berth from Hugh Freeze in 2025. But they expect progress—measurable, tangible, and obvious. This year must be a turning point, not another false start. The roster has been rebuilt, the quarterback room upgraded, and the margin for error slimmed.
For Freeze, 2025 isn’t make-or-break. But it’s make-or-be-questioned
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