Auburn Tigers football coach Hugh Freeze came into the season with doubters thinking that having three offensive play-callers wouldn't work. In the team's fifth game of the season against the Texas A&M Aggies, the doubters had unlimited ammunition.
A week after being dinged for six false starts, two holding, and two delay of game penalties against the Oklahoma Sooners, the offensive line, particularly Xavier Chaplin, looked nervous and repeatedly halted drives and forward progress with more of the same. Jackson Arnold barely had a chance, but he certainly didn't do much through the air with the chances in the pocket in which he actually had time to throw. Eric Singleton Jr. was the only receiver who met the moment in the first half, hauling in three catches for 51 yards. Arnold had to repeatedly call his own number on the ground. He had nine yards rushing.
The Tigers came away with 27 yards of total offense in the first quarter. To say the team regressed dramatically from a 24-17 loss to the Oklahoma Sooners last week, in which they could've tied or won the game on the last drive, against the Aggies in the first half, is the understatement of the year.
Those who cover the team are disgusted by what they're seeing.
This is an undisciplined football team. Has been for a while. Really no way around that fact.
— Nathan King (@NathanKing247) September 27, 2025
Another third-and-long stop for Auburn's defense.
— Nathan King (@NathanKing247) September 27, 2025
This group has settled in and is playing really well. The offense looks completely dreadful.
This tweet would apply to most games in the past eight seasons of Auburn football.
What exactly is Auburn's offensive plan right now?
— Nathan King (@NathanKing247) September 27, 2025
Auburn has now been called for holding on both of its handoffs to running backs so far
— Justin Ferguson (@JFergusonAU) September 27, 2025
performance art at this point
still having to hold on a play where you only sent two guys out on routes about sums it all up for Auburn's offense
— Justin Ferguson (@JFergusonAU) September 27, 2025
Auburn drinking game: Take a shot for every false start or holding penalty by the offensive line. Good luck making it to the end of the game.
— Brian Stultz (@brianjstultz) September 27, 2025
Freeze can't afford these kinds of losses. After keeping the firing rumors at bay with a spectacular 38-24 win over the Baylor Bears in Week 1, his offense's performance against TAMU is reigniting them once again.
Losing is one thing. If this Auburn squad is a seven or eight-win team and loses like they did last week against OU, fans can accept it.
But to look so feeble in defeat as Cam Coleman is held to three catches and 14 yards in a half, this is unacceptable.
The Tiger beat and Auburn family are almost out of patience.