Auburn takes on South Alabama this Saturday as the odds-on favorite. A 3-0 start would mean a huge deal for Hugh Freeze, who, when entering the 2025 season, was a hot-seat candidate.
Yet, Freeze feels that Major Applewhite's team could flip the script on the Tigers if they make even one wrong play.
"I know South Alabama's a very quality football team for G5 that can scare the heck out of you," Freeze said when talking about facing an in-state rival.
"I think it's good for the state, and it's good for football as a coach. You get a little uptight because I've been on the other side coaching a G5 team, where there's Liberty at Virginia Tech or some of those types of games and you get excited for those," he added.
The Jaguars' team can put up a decent competition, and if the Tigers are not on their A-game, they might lose this one.
Freeze broke down how their offense and defense can have a slight edge over Auburn earlier this week.
“(Number) 1 (Devin Voisin) and 11 (Anthony Eager) can really run,: he said. "That receiver and that running back are really good and their quarterback (Bishop Davenport) is really athletic. They’re very multiple, motion, shifts, things that make you think and make you check.
"Before you know it, if you’re not careful, you’ve made the wrong check and one of those guys that can really run is hurting you. And so again, I think (Paul) Petrino does a really nice job with the scheme and he’s got guys that can run and make plays and a running back that was an SEC transfer – a really talented kid – a quarterback that is athletic and a solid offensive line for (group of) five. So I think it’s his scheme, plus he has some good players."
That said, Freeze already mentioned he knows what working in a G5 team is like; he's been there himself. That should give him the precedent he needs to anticipate South Alabama's plays and call his plays accordingly.
it will be interesting to see what Freeze has for them up his sleeve.