The gravity to win this season is clear as day for the Auburn Tigers, and more importantly, their head coach, Hugh Freeze, with his job most likely on the line. Their new QB from Oklahoma comes in bearing high hopes to make it work for Freeze.
There might still be odds stacked against him, though.
The most obvious concern is regarding his performance after his lackluster season as a first-time starter in Norman last year under Brent Venables. Given the weight of the expectations this season, analyst Greg McElroy believes there are chances of history repeating itself this season again given the weight of all the expectations from Arnold.
“Jackson Arnold comes over from Oklahoma. Didn’t work out at Oklahoma, and this is going to be a little bit of a difficult transition, I think, to an offense that is quarterback-friendly, but does require split-second decisions by the quarterback after the ball is snapped," McElroy explained on the "Always College Football" podcast
"And for a guy that has been a little bit turnover prone, and a guy that at times has shown maybe not the most confidence in his own ability, this could be a more intriguing storyline than we’re probably willing to address right now.”
Undeniably, turnovers have constantly been haunting Arnold in his college football career. His three interceptions and nine fumbles from last season indicate as such.
The real question becomes whether the Tigers can still win with the turnover rate. Freeze knows he has Deuce Knight as the backup QB who can swoop in and save the day if Arnold fumbles.
That said, Arnold will be leading a whole new offense under Freeze this season, which might result in a better turnover rate. But it won't be an overnight process.