Why Auburn’s Offensive Line is Drawing Preseason Buzz — And What Justin and Dan Think About It

Justin and Dan sat down to dive into one of the more surprising storylines of the college football preseason: the growing praise around Auburn’s offensive line. It’s not often that an offensive line gets hyped up in July, especially one that hasn’t been a dominant force in recent seasons. Yet here we are, with analysts and media outlets pointing toward Auburn as a potential breakout group up front. Justin started the conversation by pointing out the shift in sentiment compared to the last couple of years, and Dan quickly agreed. There’s a noticeable difference in tone around Auburn’s line, and it’s not just the typical preseason optimism you hear from every fanbase this time of year.

Auburn’s line play has, at times, been inconsistent and underwhelming. It’s been a problem in both the run and pass game, with lack of depth and injuries contributing to struggles across the board. But that’s exactly why this recent buzz feels noteworthy. Something clearly changed — either in talent, coaching, or scheme — and it’s captured the attention of both the local beat and the national college football press. Dan speculated that a big part of the newfound confidence comes from coaching stability and the second-year impact of Hugh Freeze and his staff. It’s no secret that offensive lines tend to benefit from time and cohesion, and Dan noted that Auburn has finally started to develop both.

Justin pointed out that returning experience is another huge factor. The Tigers return several key starters who now have significant SEC reps under their belts. There’s a level of maturity and physical development that simply wasn’t there a couple of seasons ago. It’s hard to overstate how valuable continuity is on the line — five guys learning to work in concert, picking up blitzes, combo blocking, communicating non-verbally — that chemistry doesn’t show up in box scores, but it can change the course of a season. Justin emphasized how often we underrate the sheer number of snaps these guys play together and how each one builds trust and timing.

Dan also made the case that some of the new faces Auburn brought in could be difference-makers. A couple of transfers and highly touted freshmen have turned heads during spring and early summer workouts. While we don’t know yet who will win starting jobs or rotate in as key backups, the early word is that these players bring a higher level of athleticism and toughness to the trenches. That’s important, especially in the SEC, where every team has at least one NFL-caliber defensive lineman. If Auburn’s going to compete, it has to win — or at least hold its own — at the line of scrimmage.

Justin then shifted gears a bit and posed a fun hypothetical to Dan, leading into what they jokingly refer to as their “Quadservers” segment — a series of offbeat, often food-related or pop-culture-themed questions that run in sets of four. Today’s Quadservers leaned heavily into SEC culture and off-field traditions. First up: best stadium food in the conference. Dan went with a classic — LSU’s jambalaya — while Justin made a case for Georgia’s fried chicken sandwiches, praising their crispiness even after sitting through a full quarter of football. It was the kind of tangent that fans love — the kind that reminds you that college football is about more than Xs and Os.

From there, the second Quadserver asked which SEC town they’d most want to spend a weekend in if they weren’t working. Dan picked Oxford, citing its charm, tailgate atmosphere, and music scene. Justin leaned toward Nashville, not technically an SEC town in the traditional sense but home to Vanderbilt and always a good time, especially if you like country music and rooftop bars. The two went back and forth on which city had better food, nightlife, and overall vibes, trading light-hearted jabs the way longtime friends do.

The third Quadserver took a more football-focused turn: which SEC offensive line has the best nickname. Justin went with “The Great Wall of Georgia” — a moniker sometimes used for the Bulldogs’ 2021 line — while Dan threw out a dark horse from years back: “The Swamp Hogs” of Florida, a throwback to the early 2000s when the Gators had one of the nastiest, most physical lines in the country. It was a moment of nostalgic appreciation and a reminder of how iconic O-line groups can become when they dominate.

Finally, the fourth Quadserver: If you had to draft an all-time SEC offensive line, who would your left tackle be? Dan didn’t hesitate — he picked Andrew Whitworth, the former LSU standout who went on to a stellar NFL career. Justin thought about it a bit longer before going with Alabama’s Jonah Williams, praising his technique and consistency at the college level. It sparked a debate about modern versus old-school linemen, and how today’s game has changed what we look for in a dominant tackle. Mobility, agility, and footwork are now just as important as sheer size and strength. Both agreed that the best tackles of today are more like dancers than brawlers, gliding across the edge to mirror elite pass rushers.

Circling back to Auburn, the conversation wrapped with both Justin and Dan agreeing that the Tigers may be one of the SEC’s most intriguing offensive teams this season — not because of flashy skill players or gadget plays, but because they might finally have the foundation to let those playmakers shine. A strong offensive line isn’t sexy, but it’s essential. Justin brought up the idea that no quarterback, no matter how talented, can succeed without time to throw. And no running back can hit the hole if there’s no hole to hit. It’s the kind of football cliché that happens to be true.

Dan added that Auburn’s early-season schedule will give them a chance to build confidence and rhythm before they hit the meat of SEC play. If the line holds up and avoids injury, they could become a top-three unit in the conference. That’s a big “if,” of course — but it’s not impossible. Auburn has size, experience, and more depth than in recent years. Whether that turns into wins remains to be seen, but it’s fair to say this is the most optimistic the fanbase has been about the offensive line in a while.

As the show wrapped, Justin and Dan teased next week’s episode — a look at dark horse Heisman candidates and what separates them from the usual suspects. But before signing off, they each gave their way-too-early prediction for Auburn’s offensive line ranking at the end of the season. Justin said top five in the SEC, maybe fourth. Dan went bold and said third, behind only Georgia and LSU. It wasn’t homerism, they claimed — just a reflection of what they’ve seen and heard from practices, film reviews, and people close to the program. They admitted it might not pan out, but they were excited to see it unfold.

With that, they closed the mics and reminded listeners to subscribe and send in their own Quadservers for a future episode. The tone was upbeat, the banter easy, and the football talk both detailed and accessible — everything fans love about the lead-up to the season. And if the offensive line lives up to the hype, they’ll have even more to talk about once September rolls around.