The Athletic Identifies the Auburn Tigers as an Unexpected and Intriguing Dark Horse Contender with the Potential to Make a Serious Run at the College Football Playoff in the Upcoming Season.
The Athletic’s recent assessment of the college football landscape has sparked plenty of discussion, particularly among Auburn fans and SEC followers, after the respected sports outlet labeled the Auburn Tigers as an unexpected dark horse contender for the College Football Playoff in the upcoming season. For a program that has experienced its share of highs and lows over the past decade, this is a significant and intriguing recognition. It speaks not only to the perception of Auburn’s talent and potential but also to the shifting dynamics within the SEC and the broader playoff picture. Auburn has often been a team capable of upsetting the college football hierarchy, but in recent years, consistency has been a challenge. Now, according to The Athletic, there is a realistic path where this team could surprise the nation and insert itself into playoff conversations as the season unfolds.
When you think of the College Football Playoff race, the usual suspects come to mind: Georgia, Alabama, Ohio State, Michigan, and Clemson. Auburn, in recent years, has not been in that tier of annual contenders, but that does not mean they lack the pedigree to get there. In fact, Auburn’s history is dotted with seasons where they entered the year outside the top contenders, only to finish among the nation’s elite. The 2004 undefeated regular season, the shocking 2010 national championship run led by Cam Newton, and the 2013 magical campaign under Gus Malzahn are proof that Auburn can, when the pieces align, vault themselves into contention in seemingly improbable fashion.
The Athletic’s “dark horse” designation doesn’t mean they are predicting Auburn to make the playoff outright—it means they believe this is a team with the underlying potential, favorable schedule dynamics, and enough talent to make a legitimate run if certain variables fall in their favor. For Auburn fans, that’s music to the ears, particularly given the excitement surrounding the program as it enters a new stage under head coach Hugh Freeze. Freeze, who is known for his offensive acumen and ability to develop quarterbacks, has been steadily rebuilding Auburn’s roster through a combination of high school recruiting and aggressive use of the transfer portal.
One of the central reasons Auburn has been identified as a potential playoff sleeper is the improvement in roster depth, particularly on the offensive side of the ball. Quarterback play has been an Achilles’ heel for Auburn in recent years, with inconsistency and instability making it difficult for the offense to find rhythm against elite SEC defenses. The arrival of transfer quarterbacks and the development of young signal-callers in Freeze’s system offer a real chance for Auburn to finally stabilize the most important position on the field. In the SEC, where nearly every week is a war, having a quarterback who can make plays under pressure is often the difference between an 8–4 season and a playoff push.
Beyond the quarterback, Auburn’s offensive line—long a source of frustration for fans—has received an infusion of talent and experience through transfers and recruiting wins. This is a key factor in whether Auburn’s offense can take a step forward. A sturdy offensive line not only protects the quarterback but also opens up running lanes for what is shaping up to be one of the better backfields in the SEC. Auburn has a history of producing standout running backs, and this year’s stable, with a mix of speed, power, and versatility, could give defenses nightmares if the blocking holds up.
Defensively, Auburn’s identity has traditionally been built around speed, physicality, and playmaking ability. Last season, the defense had flashes of brilliance but also struggled with depth in key positions, especially along the defensive line. This year, with another recruiting cycle under their belt and an influx of transfers, the Tigers appear deeper and more balanced. The Athletic specifically pointed to Auburn’s defensive front as a potential game-changer in big SEC matchups. A disruptive pass rush and stout run defense are crucial in a league where stopping the likes of Georgia, LSU, and Alabama requires more than just effort—it requires elite talent and execution.
The schedule is another area where Auburn could benefit. While the SEC West is never forgiving, there are windows of opportunity. If Auburn can start strong and build confidence, they could head into late-season matchups with real playoff implications. Key home games at Jordan-Hare Stadium, where the Tigers have historically pulled off monumental upsets, could become turning points in the season. The home-field advantage at Jordan-Hare is one of the most electric in college football, and The Athletic acknowledged that if Auburn can get a couple of top-ranked opponents on their turf, all bets are off.
Of course, to make a legitimate playoff run, Auburn will need to navigate a gauntlet of opponents that includes traditional powers and dangerous upstarts. The margin for error in the SEC is razor-thin, and one misstep can derail even the most talented teams’ playoff aspirations. But The Athletic’s point is that Auburn’s ceiling is higher than many outside observers may realize. With improved quarterback play, a revitalized offensive line, depth at the skill positions, and a defense capable of creating havoc, the Tigers could be in position to seize an opportunity if a few breaks go their way.
There is also the intangible factor—momentum. In college football, momentum can carry a team further than expected, especially when the players believe they are capable of competing with anyone. Freeze’s ability to instill confidence, discipline, and a belief in his system will be tested early. If Auburn can notch a signature win in the first half of the season, it could ignite a run reminiscent of their surprise seasons in the past.
Another reason The Athletic’s label resonates is the current transitional moment in college football. The expanded playoff format is looming, the transfer portal has reshaped rosters more quickly than ever before, and the NIL era has altered how programs recruit and retain talent. Auburn is positioning itself to take advantage of these changes. Freeze and his staff have been aggressive in leveraging the portal to fill immediate needs, and the NIL infrastructure around Auburn football is competitive with other top programs, ensuring that the Tigers can attract high-caliber athletes.
The psychological impact of being labeled a “dark horse” is also worth noting. It’s a designation that brings hope but not overwhelming pressure. Unlike teams entering the year with top-three rankings and national title expectations, Auburn has room to grow into the role. This can make them more dangerous—opponents may overlook them early, and by the time they realize Auburn is a legitimate threat, it could be too late.
Looking at the broader SEC picture, Auburn’s rise as a potential playoff contender would shake up the balance of power in the West. Georgia remains the conference’s gold standard, Alabama is still Alabama, and LSU is surging, but if Auburn can insert themselves into that conversation, the SEC’s playoff calculus becomes more complicated. This, in turn, could influence national playoff scenarios, especially in a year when multiple SEC teams could have legitimate cases for a top-four spot.
The Athletic’s analysis is not based on blind optimism—it’s rooted in tangible factors like roster upgrades, coaching stability, schedule opportunities, and historical precedent for Auburn’s ability to deliver surprise seasons. They have seen this program defy expectations before, and the current trajectory suggests it’s not unreasonable to think they could do it again.
For Auburn fans, the road ahead is still filled with questions. Can the quarterback position finally become a strength instead of a liability? Will the offensive line hold up against elite pass rushes? Can the defense generate enough turnovers to swing tight games? Will the team’s depth be sufficient to survive the physical grind of the SEC schedule? The answers to these questions will determine whether The Athletic’s “dark horse” label was prescient or premature.
But there’s something about Auburn football that makes them uniquely suited for this kind of role. They are a program that thrives when they are counted out, a program with a tradition of memorable upsets and magical seasons. The combination of passionate fans, a rich recruiting base, and a coaching staff eager to prove themselves creates a volatile but exciting mix. If they catch fire at the right time, the Tigers could find themselves not only in the playoff conversation but potentially in control of their own destiny down the stretch.
Even if Auburn falls short of the playoff this year, the very fact that respected analysts are considering them a threat to get there is a sign of progress. It suggests the rebuild is ahead of schedule, the talent level is improving, and the future is brighter than it has been in recent years. This season, then, is as much about laying a foundation as it is about chasing immediate glory. If the Tigers can combine development with on-field success, they could enter 2026 as not just a dark horse but a legitimate preseason contender.
For now, Auburn embraces the role of underdog with upside. The Athletic’s projection is not a promise, but it is a challenge—a challenge to rise above recent mediocrity, to seize big-game moments, and to show the college football world that they belong back in the conversation with the sport’s elite. Whether they can deliver on that challenge remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the upcoming season in Auburn will be one of the most anticipated in years, with fans and analysts alike watching closely to see if this dark horse can make a real run at the sport’s biggest stage.
