Oklahoma reporters Eddie Radosevich and George Stoia from Sooner Scoop are unsure about what to anticipate from the 2024 Auburn football team under Hugh Freeze, especially with the uncertainty surrounding the quarterback position.
Stoia remarked, “It’s a big deal, Andy, and we’re uncertain about Auburn. I believe, due to the second year under Hugh Freeze and the quarterback situation there, they could be strong defensively and so forth. So, that’s a significant factor.”
Payton Thorne presents the biggest uncertainty on Auburn’s roster. If he performs like he did at Michigan State in 2021, the Tigers could contend for a lower-seeded spot in the College Football Playoff. However, if he plays more like he did in 2023, he may face being replaced. Complicating matters, Auburn has three quarterbacks with no combined starting experience behind him.
Stoia ultimately downplayed Auburn, highlighting Ole Miss and Missouri as pivotal games for Oklahoma’s season. He viewed Texas, Alabama, and LSU as potential losses, with the Longhorns considered nearly inevitable according to the Sooner Scoop reporters.
Due to heightened recruiting expectations, Freeze faces the possibility of having one of the most precarious coaching positions in the SEC by 2025 if Auburn fails to make significant progress from their 6-7 season in his first year.
According to On3’s 2024 SEC Head Coach Pressure Rankings, Freeze ranks 11th, but this assumes Auburn achieves a seven or eight-win season, which would likely prevent any discussions about his job security.
Auburn is nearing the end of payouts to Gus Malzahn and Bryan Harsin and is expected to prioritize saving money on NIL expenses rather than paying another buyout. However, the fanbase is restless and expects top-tier performance. A disappointing tenure under Freeze would likely be more emotionally challenging for fans compared to the disappointment of Harsin’s tenure.
