Just when Alabama football fans thought Week 4 couldn’t get any more thrilling, Auburn made headlines with support for head coach Hugh Freeze.
In Alabama, two vastly different college football realities exist: Alabama is thriving as the nation’s top team, while Auburn is struggling with a disappointing 2-3 record, having not yet played a road game this season. The Tigers’ last strong season was in 2019 under Gus Malzahn, and they haven’t had a winning season since Malzahn was dismissed in 2020.
Following their recent loss to Oklahoma, Auburn seems on track for a fourth consecutive losing season, facing a tough October schedule with three SEC road games against Georgia, Missouri, and Kentucky. Even securing one win may be a challenge, as the Tigers would need to win three of their last four games to become bowl-eligible. While they should be able to beat ULM and possibly Vanderbilt at home, a tough matchup against Texas A&M and a likely loss in the Iron Bowl loom.
The optimism surrounding Freeze is waning, and it’s unclear if he can turn things around. After the Oklahoma game, he acknowledged the team’s self-inflicted offensive issues. According to a report from Fly War Eagle, Freeze is expected to return for the 2025 season, even if Auburn finishes at 4-8, with athletic director John Cohen expressing confidence in the team’s recruitment and locker room culture.
However, Auburn fans are anxious that recent recruiting gains could vanish, and if Freeze’s recruiting prowess turns out to be an illusion, the program may face another costly buyout. Some Alabama fans might even wish for Freeze to receive a lifetime contract, a sentiment they’ve harbored for every Auburn coach since Gene Chizik.
