Coming off a 2-0 start, the Auburn Tigers are awaiting their SEC matchups, aka Hugh Freeze's real tests that will determine whether he's off the hot seat.
Winning against Oklahoma would be the first step, since the Tigers are once again heavy favorites to win their next one against South Alabama and because Oklahoma has been looking pretty formidable after they defeated Michigan.
One thing in particular could turn out problematic and lead to Auburn's fall against Oklahoma: their pass protection.
Al.com's Michael Casagrande believes the Tigers have performed majestically in the games they have played, but their pass protection is something that still leaves them vulnerable.
"Perhaps some better pass protection would make this closer to an ideal September non-con win," Casagrande wrote. "Arnold was sacked four times in the first half as Ball State finished the night with five among the eight tackles for loss."
It's a funny thing, because one of the primary reasons behind Jackson Arnold not working out at his previous team, Oklahoma, was due to poor pass protection.
It would be the last thing Freeze would want from Arnold, or his team at large, this season.
"Hugh Freeze spent considerable time in the preseason bragging about this offensive line, and the Tigers clearly upgraded up front compared to previous seasons," Casagrande continued.
"But Ball State isn’t some pass-rush monster, either. It was 98th nationally last year with 20 total sacks. It had just one last week in a 31-0 pounding from Big Ten basement dweller Purdue."
And that nearly-identical pass-rush team sacked Auburn's QB four times. A big, bright red flag that Freeze should pay attention to if he wants to get off the hot seat.
"It’s not too much to expect Auburn to keep its QB clean with an offensive line that Freeze said has five or six future NFL draft picks."