AUBURN, Ala. — During week zero’s College Gameday on ESPN, Kirk Herbstreit brought up a SEC program that’s flying under the radar. He shared Auburn is a team that could surprise a lot of college football fans this season.
“I think Auburn is a team everybody is forgetting about,” Herbstreit said during Saturday’s show. “Hugh Freeze calling plays. Payton Thorne, almost as if people just dismiss him. He’s got receivers to throw to now. Auburn could be a thorn in the side of that conference.”
The Tigers are expected to be very improved this season under second year head coach Hugh Freeze. Former Alabama coach and new show analyst Nick Saban echoed Herbstreit’s sentiment during the segment.
“I think Auburn is going to be the most improved team in the league. I really do,” Saban said.
After a lack of potency offensively last season, Freeze opted to change offensive coordinators from Philip Montgomery to Derrick Nix. The two previously worked together at Ole Miss. Nix will help install the offense while Freeze will once again call plays this fall.
Auburn finished the regular season with a 6-7 overall record but an embarrassing home loss to New Mexico State was a black eye to a midseason turnaround.
Freeze’s staff added a few playmakers at receiver this season headlined by 5-star true freshman Cam Coleman who was a top-5 prospect for 2024. Former Penn State star KeAndre Lambert-Smith comes in hoping to spark an Auburn passing game which ranked dead last in the SEC last season at 163 yards per game.
SEC FEED:
• 5-Star Safety, Tri-Sport Athlete Makes College Decision
• Which SEC Team Could Face Same Fate as Florida State?
• SEC Football: Will There be Surprise Team During Conference Play This Season?
• Giant 4-star Offensive Lineman Announces Commitment
• Former SEC Coach Claims Ole Miss Looks Like Complete SEC Team Now
