Heading into the 2023 season, Auburn football fans wanted to see improvement. They watched the team be run into the ground for two years, and now, with a new coaching staff and a revamped team, fans expect to see a team that looks like it’s well on its way to becoming a top dog in the world of college football.
Mostly, head coach Hugh Freeze, his staff, and the football players have given fans just that. It’s clear that they are trying to implement a completely new offense, and while there are still kinks to be worked out Payton Thorne impressed in Week 3 in both the run and passing games.
The defense dealt with misalignment issues in Week 1 before being the reason the Tigers got the win in Week 2, and they still looked strong in Week 3. With an undefeated record heading into Week 4, things are going pretty well, but Coach Freeze knows that the real test is still ahead, and he believes that Auburn football is prepared to take on the challenge, per Auburn Undercover:
"“There’s times we don’t play great fundamental football,” Freeze said. “Those plays, I know, will haunt us. I want to get rid of those. But I’m very pleased with the kids. I love being around them. I love the kids and coaches. I think they’re enjoying the journey we’re on. We’re going to get tested here real quick with A&M, Georgia and LSU coming up. It’ll test all of us. We’re very young in our journey, and how we handle both success and failures will be vital.”"
We don’t know yet how this team will handle losses, but it would be irresponsible to think they aren’t coming. The SEC is the best conference in the country for a reason, and for the Tigers to come out on top this year after spending the offseason rebuilding the team would be a miracle.
Though it’s unlikely Auburn football will emerge from SEC play unscathed, it’s clear that Freeze has got the team headed in the right direction, and the Tigers should still end 2023 with a solid record.