Hugh Freeze has more goodwill on the Plains than any Auburn Tigers football coach ever has.
He can prove it during the 2025 season by doing one simple thing: delivering a season worthy of the investments made on the roster and the historical precedent AU has established in the SEC for 93 years.
Rivals' Brian Stultz sees eight wins and a bowl game triumph as the cherry on top, satisfying a fanbase that hasn't seen a postseason win this decade or a winning season since Kenny Dillingham was running the offense with a freshman Bo Nix under center.
"For Freeze, holding serve at home while winning half of the road games would be an excellent way to build some momentum. Not many expect the Tigers to compete for a spot in the College Football Playoff this season, but it's essential that the win total for the Tigers is closer to 10 than to five," Stultz wrote.
"Five wins last year was disappointing, but that can be erased from memory if Auburn can get to the eight-win mark or more. Winning a bowl game, something this program hasn't done since 2019, would be a cherry on top.
"It's a crucial season for Freeze's tenure at Auburn. The head coach is certainly aware of that. Many of the pieces are in place. Now, he and his staff have to put up some wins."
Auburn University's brain trust has tethered itself to Freeze's success. AD John Cohen claimed he hasn't even thought about replacing Freeze despite the brutal results on the field over two seasons.
That point can be argued easily, pointing to DJ Durkin's massive extension. That's a head coach-in-waiting caliber salary.
Regardless, Freeze needs to deliver success before the fanbase becomes permanently jaded about every decision Auburn's football program makes from here on out.