Auburn football is facing down a difficult 2023 schedule, but that is nothing new for the Tigers. Head coach Hugh Freeze certainly expected it when he took on the job of coaching a team that faces both Alabama and Georgia every single season.
While the past few seasons have been full of disappointing losses to the rivalry teams, Freeze is looking to change that this fall. He and his staff have been going hard on both the recruiting trail and the transfer portal to add key pieces to improve every position. Major players have been added to the offensive line, the wide receivers room, and more.
The most important transfer portal addition that Freeze may have made so far is former Michigan State quarterback Payton Thorne. While both Robby Ashford and Holden Geriner show a lot of potential, Freeze was adamant that having an experienced, proven QB in year one would be vital if the Tigers expect to get some wins—and Auburn fans want to beat Georgia and Alabama badly.
During his time with the Dawgs, head coach Kirby Smart has gone 7-1 against the Tigers, but with Freeze on board it’s possible that a win is on the horizon in 2023. According to Smart, players on Freeze’s teams respect him and his leadership, and Freeze crafts offenses that make things tough on the opponent defense,per Auburn Undercover:
"“He does a tremendous job with the RPO game,” Smart said Wednesday when asked what makes Freeze’s teams difficult to defend. “He’s got great belief in his players and his system.”"
Freeze will face off against Smart for the first time as the head coach of Auburn football on September 30, when the Tigers host the Dawgs in Jordan-Hare Stadium for the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry as Auburn looks to get their first win over Georgia since 2017.