AUBURN, AL – College football pundit David Pollack, never one to shy away from a bold statement, has once again sent shockwaves through the Southeastern Conference with a controversial forecast regarding Hugh Freeze’s Auburn Tigers for the 2025 season. Pollack’s prediction, delivered on X (formerly Twitter) and further elaborated on his “See Ball Get Ball” podcast, defies the prevailing narrative and has the potential to completely reshape the perception of Auburn and, consequently, the conference’s hierarchy in what is set to be a massively competitive year.
The general consensus among analysts and even the most optimistic of Auburn fans has been cautious, if not outright pessimistic, about the Tigers’ immediate prospects in 2025. After two seasons under Hugh Freeze that have yielded an 11-14 record and just one bowl appearance (a loss to Maryland in 2023), many are forecasting a challenging 5-7 or even 4-8 record for Auburn, especially considering their notoriously brutal SEC schedule. Freeze himself has acknowledged the historical context, admitting Auburn is a place that “has to win,” while also noting that the team “finally has enough depth and talent” to be competitive, a sentiment he recently shared with Pollack on the podcast.
However, David Pollack, a former Georgia Bulldogs standout and long-time ESPN analyst with deep SEC expertise, presented a starkly different outlook. In a concise yet impactful declaration, Pollack simply posted, “I like Auburn football in 2025.” This succinct statement, while not a direct win-loss prediction, conveyed a nuanced optimism that stands in stark contrast to the widespread skepticism. It suggests a belief that Auburn is poised to surprise, potentially exceeding external expectations and making significant waves within the conference.
The primary reason Pollack’s forecast is so controversial stems from the external perception of Auburn’s current standing and their 2025 schedule:
- Recent Struggles: Auburn has endured five consecutive sub-seven win seasons, a trend unprecedented since the 1970s. Freeze’s 11-14 record, while showing flashes of promise, has not yet translated into the consistent winning that Auburn demands. Fans are restless, and the pressure on Freeze is palpable.
- Brutal 2025 Schedule: Phil Steele, among others, has already ranked Auburn’s 2025 schedule as one of the toughest nationally and a top-10 SEC slate. Key matchups include:
- Season opener against Baylor (a tricky non-conference opponent).
- Road games at Oklahoma, at Texas A&M, and at Alabama.
- Home game against Georgia. These are all projected playoff contenders or highly competitive programs. Many analysts struggle to find a path to a winning record with such a gauntlet.
- Quarterback Uncertainty (External View): While Auburn has brought in former five-star quarterback Jackson Arnold from Oklahoma, Pollack himself has labeled Arnold as Auburn’s “biggest question mark.” Arnold’s record at Oklahoma wasn’t stellar (5-6 in games he was featured), and his overall collegiate production to date (1,984 passing yards, 16 TDs, 6 INTs in two seasons) doesn’t scream elite SEC starter. The question for many is whether Freeze can unlock Arnold’s full potential, particularly as a passer.
Despite the external challenges, Pollack’s confidence in Auburn likely stems from several factors he’s highlighted, which could indeed become game-changers for the Tigers:
- Jackson Arnold’s Dual-Threat Ability: Pollack himself, despite calling Arnold a “question mark,” sees a significant upside. He stated, “I do think the one thing that I know about [Arnold] is that he’s an elite runner. And I do know Hugh Freeze with an elite runner at quarterback is a dangerous freaking animal.” Freeze’s offense thrives with mobile quarterbacks who can execute RPOs and vary tempo, something Payton Thorne, while a good runner, wasn’t “great” at. Arnold’s rushing ability (e.g., 131 yards vs. Alabama last season) provides a dimension Auburn hasn’t consistently had, which could make their offense far more potent.
- Elite Wide Receiver Tandem: Pollack is a strong believer in Auburn’s receiving corps. He boldly stated, “You talk about the best 1-2 punch at wide receiver in the country, I will take Auburn. [Cam] Coleman at six-foot-four on the outside, like I can throw him the rock. [Eric] Singleton can win in here.” Cam Coleman, a rising sophomore, had a strong finish to 2024, and Georgia Tech transfer Eric Singleton Jr. is expected to be a major impact player. This gives Arnold elite weapons to target, which he reportedly lacked at Oklahoma.
- Strengthened Offensive Line: Auburn returns three starters on the interior offensive line, including projected NFL Draft pick Connor Lew at center. They’ve also added transfers like Xavier Chaplin (Virginia Tech) and Mason Murphy (USC) at tackle. A strong offensive line is crucial for both running the ball and protecting a developing quarterback, and Pollack believes Auburn has significantly bolstered this unit.
- Defensive Talent: While Auburn’s defense saw some departures, they still possess considerable talent, and the general expectation is that the unit, anchored by players like junior cornerback Jay Crawford (a Freshman All-American), should be solid. Their defense has been a strength in recent years, and maintaining that level of play is vital.
- Hugh Freeze’s Strategic “Long Game”: Freeze recently discussed with Pollack his approach to recruiting and the new NIL landscape, emphasizing a “long game” strategy, operating transparently within the new settlement rules that allow direct payments to athletes. While Auburn’s 2026 recruiting class has seen some recent struggles (dropping to 71st in On3 rankings), Freeze’s belief in his long-term plan, and his confidence in the current roster’s “depth and talent,” might factor into Pollack’s assessment. Freeze explicitly stated, “I think we finally have enough depth and talent.”
- “Could Have Won” Mentality: Freeze also told Pollack that in the last two years, Auburn “easily could have won six more football games, last year, four.” This suggests that the Tigers were closer to a breakthrough than their record indicated, implying that small improvements or a few bounces going their way could significantly alter their win-loss column in 2025.
If Pollack’s bold prediction holds true, and Auburn significantly overperforms expectations, it would indeed send shockwaves through the SEC and could reshape the conference hierarchy:
- Disruption in the West (or new SEC): With the elimination of divisions, the SEC is a single 16-team league. If Auburn manages to finish with 8-9 wins in a schedule like theirs, it would put them firmly in contention for one of the expanded College Football Playoff spots. This would shake up the established order currently dominated by Georgia, Texas, LSU, and Alabama.
- Hugh Freeze’s Validation: A successful 2025 campaign would provide crucial validation for Hugh Freeze, alleviating immense pressure and solidifying his position as the long-term leader for Auburn. It would prove his roster building and offensive scheme are capable of competing at the highest level of the SEC.
- Recruiting Boost: Nothing speaks louder in recruiting than on-field success. If Auburn exceeds expectations, it would provide a massive boost to future recruiting classes, allowing them to attract even more elite talent and address any recent dips in the 2026 class rankings.
David Pollack’s forecast for Auburn in 2025 is undeniably contentious, but it’s built on a foundation of specific strengths he sees in the Tigers’ roster and coaching scheme, particularly the dynamic potential of Jackson Arnold with elite receivers. While many are still predicting a tough year, Pollack’s optimistic take forces a re-evaluation of Auburn’s prospects and sets a compelling narrative for the upcoming season. If he’s right, the SEC landscape could look very different by December.
