Hugh Freeze being so headstrong is costing him games as Auburn football's head coach
Hugh Freeze continues to defend Payton Thorne at every turn as Auburn football's head coach and it's costing him wins. After a disastrous four-interception showing for the Tigers in a 21-14 loss to Cal, Freeze still wouldn't commit to pulling Thorne from under center.
"I'll have to watch the film first," Freeze said to reporters postgame on September 7. "We struggled to protect him, a lot. I'd rather watch the film and then talk about it."
Freeze is correct. The pass-protection in front of Thorne didn't protect the passer or stay in front of Thorne. It was a disastrous showing from a group that added new talent in the offseason and lacks cohesion.
But Thorne was objectively bad regardless, completing 14 of his 27 pass attempts and having two near-interceptions called back. He didn't look in control of the offense at any point after the first quarter.
He can't be QB1 anymore. But Freeze doesn't seem convinced that's the direction his team needs to head.
Payton Thorne lost Auburn football fans with awful showing against Cal
Thorne lost most Tiger fans who weren't already out on him with the pitiful performance against Cal. Anthony Schwartz openly advocated for an open QB competition and fans revolted against Freeze's indecision about yanking the former Michigan State star.
Thorne has had flashes in an orange and blue uniform but he's never been able to string consistent performances together enough to have a better record than 7-8. His Tigers tenure wasn't all bad, and in fact it may have peaked against the two teams that played in the SEC Championship, Alabama and Georgia, in 2023. The Deep South's Oldest Rivalry and Iron Bowl games were almost won at Jordan-Hare Stadium last season.
But the trajectory is downward for AU if Freeze continues to be stubborn and sticks with Thorne right now.
Hank Brown, Holden Geriner, and Walker White may not be the answer under center, but Thorne definitively isn't. It's time to rip off the band-aid.