Auburn’s Make-or-Break Year: Can Hugh Freeze Deliver the Tigers’ First Winning Season in Three Years?
As Auburn football enters its third year under head coach Hugh Freeze, the pressure is mounting. The Tigers are desperate for a breakthrough. After two seasons of mediocrity, with more questions than answers, Auburn is now in search of something it hasn’t achieved in recent years—a winning season. The stakes are high, and the eyes of the Auburn faithful are fixed squarely on Hugh Freeze to bring the team back to prominence.
The road to success, however, is not a simple one. In the hyper-competitive world of SEC football, Auburn is battling against some of the most well-funded, well-coached teams in the country. With the likes of Alabama, Georgia, and LSU dominating the SEC, the Tigers’ struggles have been painfully evident. Freeze, known for his offensive prowess and ability to turn programs around, now faces the ultimate test: can he make Auburn relevant again?
When Auburn hired Hugh Freeze in 2021, many fans saw him as the coach who could revive the program. Freeze’s previous success at Ole Miss, where he brought the Rebels to national prominence, had given him a reputation as a talented recruiter and a dynamic offensive mind. His ability to develop quarterbacks and lead high-powered offenses was something Auburn desperately needed.
However, Freeze’s tenure at Auburn has been anything but easy. The program has been mired in uncertainty, with inconsistent play on both sides of the ball and the inability to generate any sustained momentum. While Freeze inherited a program in disarray, he has not yet delivered the type of results that Auburn fans expect. As the Tigers head into 2023, this season is viewed as the one where Freeze must deliver results or risk facing increased scrutiny.
But just how much responsibility lies with Freeze? It’s easy to point fingers at the head coach when a program is struggling, but the reality is that Auburn’s issues run much deeper. Freeze is tasked not only with fixing Auburn’s offense but also with revitalizing the entire culture of the team. That requires time, and Auburn fans have never been known for their patience.
Auburn’s biggest problem in recent years has been its inability to move the football consistently. Under previous coaching staffs, the Tigers’ offense was often stagnant, predictable, and unable to generate any significant threat through the air or on the ground. Freeze’s arrival promised a breath of fresh air, but the transition hasn’t been as smooth as expected.
In 2022, Auburn’s offense ranked near the bottom of the SEC in total yards, scoring, and passing efficiency. While Freeze has installed his up-tempo, pass-heavy offense, the results have yet to match the hype. The Tigers’ quarterbacks have been inconsistent, and the team has struggled to find any rhythm in the passing game. Freeze has repeatedly expressed his faith in his quarterback room, but the pressure is mounting for him to get more out of his signal-callers.
Looking ahead to 2023, Freeze is hoping to finally establish a dynamic offense capable of keeping up with the high-scoring juggernauts of the SEC. The addition of new offensive weapons, including transfers and high-profile recruits, gives Auburn hope that this year will be different. Quarterback play will be crucial, and Freeze has brought in a few options to compete for the starting job. Whether it’s a return to form for junior quarterback TJ Finley or a new face under center, the offense will be a major point of focus for the Tigers.
But it’s not just about the quarterback. Freeze’s ability to develop playmakers at the skill positions—particularly wide receiver and running back—will determine whether his offense can find success. Auburn has talented players at those positions, but it’s been a while since they’ve had a consistent playmaker who can take over a game.
While the offense has been the focal point of Freeze’s tenure at Auburn, the defense has also been a major concern. Historically, Auburn has boasted a dominant defense, with powerhouse players like Derrick Brown and Marlon Davidson anchoring a feared front seven. However, under Freeze, the defense has taken a backseat, often leaving the team vulnerable in crucial situations.
Auburn’s defensive struggles were highlighted in 2022, as they ranked near the middle of the SEC in total defense, giving up big plays on both the ground and through the air. While the defense has some talented individual players—particularly in the secondary—the overall lack of cohesion and inability to generate consistent pressure on the quarterback has held Auburn back.
Defensive coordinator Ron Roberts, who was brought in by Freeze, faces an uphill battle in trying to rebuild a once-feared Auburn defense. The Tigers will need to develop a pass rush that can disrupt opposing quarterbacks, something that has been missing for years. Furthermore, Auburn must find a way to be more aggressive in coverage, forcing turnovers and getting off the field on third downs. If Auburn is to compete in the SEC West, its defense will need to take a significant step forward.
One of the bright spots of Hugh Freeze’s time at Auburn has been his ability to recruit. Freeze has already shown that he can bring in top-tier talent, particularly on the offensive side of the ball. His reputation as an effective recruiter will be crucial in the coming years, as Auburn needs to build depth in both the offensive and defensive trenches.
In recent recruiting cycles, Auburn has brought in several high-profile players, many of whom are expected to contribute immediately. The Tigers’ 2023 class is one of the most highly-ranked in recent memory, with a mix of skilled playmakers and big-bodied linemen that can make an immediate impact. But recruiting success is just the beginning—Freeze must now turn that talent into a winning product on the field.
The pressure is mounting for Freeze to prove that his recruitment efforts can lead to on-field success. Recruiting rankings only go so far if a team can’t translate that talent into victories. If Auburn fails to put together a winning season in 2023, Freeze’s recruiting prowess may start to lose some of its luster, and questions about his ability to develop players will inevitably arise.
While the future may look bright for Auburn on paper, the SEC gauntlet remains a daunting challenge. The Tigers will face some of the most talented teams in the country, including Alabama, Georgia, LSU, and Texas A&M. Winning in the SEC West has always been a battle, and the margin for error is razor-thin.
For Freeze to succeed, Auburn will need to rise above the competition. The Tigers’ toughest tests will likely come on the road, where hostile environments and high-stakes matchups will expose any weaknesses in their game plan. If Auburn wants to prove that it’s back on the national map, it will need to take down some of these elite programs.
Moreover, Auburn must find ways to close out tight games. Last season, the Tigers were competitive in several matchups but struggled to finish strong. Whether it’s the offense sputtering in the second half or the defense failing to make key stops, Auburn’s inability to close games has been a hallmark of its struggles in recent seasons. Freeze must find a way to get the most out of his players when the stakes are highest.
Entering his third season, Hugh Freeze is at a crossroads. The pressure is mounting for him to deliver Auburn’s first winning season in three years. His ability to mold a high-octane offense and rebuild a defense that can compete in the SEC will determine the trajectory of his tenure at Auburn. The Tigers’ fanbase is hungry for success, and Freeze knows that the window for a breakthrough is rapidly closing.
The 2023 season is a make-or-break year for Freeze and the Auburn football program. If he can pull it all together—get consistent quarterback play, develop playmakers, and shore up the defense—he may just lead the Tigers back to relevance. But if the struggles continue, Auburn will face even tougher questions about its future.
For now, Auburn fans can only watch, hope, and wait.
