Auburn’s QB situation has sorted itself out after nightmarish stretch

For much of the 2023 season, Auburn football was running a two-QB system to allow both Payton Thorne and hometown Hoover favorite Robby Ashford.

At first, it was a very interesting idea and one that many believed could work because the playing styles of Payton Thorne and Robby Ashford seemed to complement each other well. But as SEC play began, the arrangement had the Tigers playing inconsistent football; with neither QB  could ever able to find their rhythm while splitting snaps.

The two-QB system, while sounding nice on paper, is very difficult to run because any QB successful enough to play Power Five football is going to want to be the leader of the locker room — or at least the offensive side of it. Luckily, it seems as though Hugh Freeze has largely ditched it in favor of backing Thorne.

Confidence in Payton Thorne has saved Auburn football season

Backing Thorne has done wonders for the Tigers as they have won their last three games and currently stand at 6-4 going into Week 12. In no way is this to speak ill of Ashford because everyone knows that he is a big-time gamer himself, but it looks like at this point in the season Thorne is the only player worth considering to start.

Having two players share the QB duties did not help anyone. Right now it looks like Auburn has figured out the QB situation for the rest of the season, and if they continue to ride this wave, they can steamroll an overperforming New Mexico State squad and even conquer their hated rival Alabama.

When you are starting to win ball games and find a formula that works, you need to stick with it. Right now, it looks as though for this season, Thorne is the only signal-caller deserving of the QB1 designation on the Plains.