Auburn Football: Hugh Freeze Faces Challenges Amidst Disappointing Season

Auburn football head coach Hugh Freeze has been under intense scrutiny following a rocky start to the 2024 season. The team's dismal performance, coupled with internal spats and coaching controversies, has put Freeze's tenure at Auburn under a microscope. In this article, we delve into the challenges facing Freeze and the Auburn Tigers as they navigate a brutal second half of the season.

1. The Rocky Start to the Season

The Auburn Tigers began the season with optimism, but their performance has been anything but promising. With a record of 0-3 in conference play, the team teeters on the brink of another disappointing year. The season was anticipated to be different under Freeze's leadership, who took over after a tumultuous period marked by four head coaches in just three years. Despite his past controversies, Freeze was expected to deliver both credibility and stability to the program.

For a brief moment, it appeared Freeze had set Auburn on a positive trajectory. During last seasons contest against two-time defending national champion Georgia, the Tigers were level in the fourth quarter. A remarkable play prevented Auburn from defeating Alabama, and Freeze successfully attracted and retained top-tier recruitsa feat his predecessors struggled with. However, between the Georgia and Alabama encounters, Auburn suffered a shocking 31-10 defeat to New Mexico, which served as an alarming signal.

Earlier in the season, a 21-14 loss to Cal initiated the hilariously absurd #Calgorithm trend on Twitter, further adding to the team's woes. Auburn subsequently faced demoralizing setbacks against Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Georgia, leading to internal blame games. Freeze has publicly criticized his players, notably quarterback Payton Thorne, who had a contentious exchange with Freeze during and after the loss to Georgia in Athens.

Yeah, he definitely didnt follow through with what we had called, Freeze remarked post-game. Paytons a thinker. He understands football. He opted to attempt some sort of zone read, and I think there was confusion all around. We definitely werent aligned there. Amidst the typical coach-speak, Freeze issued a clear warning to his players: If we face a critical down, it would be incredibly disheartening and infuriating if we encounter another situation where our players dont have a clear understanding of what to do.

2. The Current State of the Team

The question arises: would this be a failure on the players' part to execute, or a shortcoming of the coaching staff in preparing them? Only time will tell. The team's performance has been marred by mistakes in critical situations, which has led to widespread frustration among fans and players alike.

Auburn's active and affluent booster base has raised questions about Freeze's security in his position. However, an in-season buyout of Freezes six-year, $39 million contract would currently require Auburn to pay 75 percent of the remaining amount, approximately $20 million. In an era where college departments are seeking new revenue streams to meet increasing demands, paying someone $20 million to part ways doesnt seem practical, even for Auburn.

Moreover, dismissing Freeze could jeopardize the program's strong 2025 recruiting class. Auburn is currently ranked fourth in Rivals' 2025 recruiting standings, trailing only Ohio State, Alabama, and Texas. If Freeze departs, it could also lead to the loss of many high school seniors committed to Auburn.

3. The Upcoming Schedule

The challenge for Freeze and the Auburn program lies in the daunting schedule ahead. Following Missouri, Auburn will face Kentucky and Vanderbilt, both embodying the unpredictability of the SEC. A bye week will provide a crucial opportunity for recovery before a game against Louisiana-Monroe and a tough finish against Texas A&M and Alabama.

Achieving even a 3-3 record during this stretch may prove to be too ambitious, and yet Auburn will need to secure four victories just to reach a .500 record for the season. With more losses, the Auburn community will begin to shift its focus to next season, hoping that its future stars will remain committed until then.

4. Recent Loss to Missouri

Auburn's weeks-long losing streak in the SEC continued Saturday afternoon after Missouri's quarterback rallied late in the game from an injury. The 21-17 loss to No. 19 Missouri was particularly disheartening for the Tigers, as it highlighted their inability to close out games effectively.

Hugh Freeze expressed familiar frustrations after the loss at Missouri: 'It's just a difficult year.' This sentiment reflects the broader challenges facing the program, from quarterback issues to defensive lapses.

Breaking down Auburn's second-half mistakes in the 21-17 loss to Missouri reveals a pattern of errors that have become all too familiar. The team's inability to execute in critical situations has been a recurring theme throughout the season.

For instance, Auburn's offense struggled with miscommunication and poor decision-making. The defense, too, faced issues with containment and tackling, allowing Missouri's quarterback to extend plays and make crucial throws.

5. Quarterback Controversy

Auburn football head coach Hugh Freeze has been mired in a real pickle at the quarterback position. Payton Thorne was originally the starter for the Tigers but was benched after throwing four interceptions against Cal a couple of weeks ago. The decision to start redshirt freshman Hank Brown instead of Thorne against New Mexico was seen as a bold move but one that has not yielded consistent results.

Fans of the Auburn Tigers who were looking for some comfort about the current shambolic quarterback scenario found out the hard way that it certainly wasnt forthcoming when head coach Hugh Freeze met with the media this week. The lack of clarity on who will start at quarterback has added to the team's woes and contributed to their overall lack of cohesion.

Bo Wallace, a former three-year starter for Auburn, has been critical of Freeze's handling of quarterbacks. Wallace's comments reflect a broader sentiment among fans and former players who feel that Freeze's approach has been inconsistent and sometimes detrimental to player development.

6. Future Prospects

The future prospects for Auburn football under Hugh Freeze remain uncertain. While there are still some promising young players on the roster, the team's overall performance has been disappointing. The upcoming games against Kentucky and Vanderbilt will provide crucial opportunities for the Tigers to turn their season around.

However, achieving even a modest level of success will require significant improvements in both offense and defense. The coaching staff must address the quarterback controversy and ensure that players are well-prepared for each game.

Ultimately, the success or failure of Hugh Freeze at Auburn will depend on his ability to adapt and make necessary changes. If he can find a way to stabilize the quarterback position and improve team cohesion, there may still be hope for a turnaround in the second half of the season.

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