Auburn’s 2025 Season: A Crossroads for Hugh Freeze and Jackson Arnold
The 2025 season is shaping up to be a defining one for Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze. Between his recent prostate cancer diagnosis and the pressure to turn things around after a 5-7 season, Freeze has plenty on his plate. However, analyst Josh Pate believes there’s a clear blueprint for Auburn’s College Football Playoff (CFP) hopes—cut down on turnovers and maximize the talent in place.
The Hugh Freeze Factor: Can He Overcome the Odds?
Auburn has yet to make a CFP appearance since its inception in 2014, despite historically being a powerhouse program with two national titles (1957, 2010). Last season exposed key weaknesses, particularly at quarterback and wide receiver. Payton Thorne struggled with turnovers, and injuries in the WR corps didn’t help. Freeze now faces the challenge of balancing his health battle while proving he can elevate Auburn into playoff contention.
Josh Pate’s CFP Blueprint: A Simple Fix?
Pate’s solution for Auburn’s struggles is straightforward—cut down on turnovers. The Tigers recorded 13 interceptions last season, a stat that crippled their offense. However, their defense showed promise, forcing four turnovers in the Iron Bowl. If Auburn can clean up its offensive mistakes, Pate sees them as a “solid plus-turnover team,” which would put them in a much stronger position to compete.
Jackson Arnold: The Key to Auburn’s Playoff Hopes?
Auburn’s success in 2025 largely hinges on the performance of new quarterback Jackson Arnold, the Oklahoma transfer. Arnold put up solid numbers in 2024—1,421 passing yards, 12 touchdowns, and only three interceptions—but questions remain about his consistency. Can he avoid the mistakes that plagued Auburn’s previous QB, Payton Thorne?
Pate acknowledges that Arnold has the talent but warns that execution will be critical:
> “How good is Jackson Arnold, and can he play with a lot more consistency?”
Supporting Cast: Is It Enough?
Auburn has made key additions to help Arnold succeed, including Wake Forest WR Horatio Fields and a solid offensive line trio of Xavier Chaplin, Mason Murphy, and Connor Lew. But Pate remains cautious, saying the supporting cast “maybe” has enough firepower, with Arnold’s decision-making being the ultimate determining factor.
The Pressure Is On
Beyond the quarterback position, some analysts believe Auburn’s struggles stem from coaching. SEC Mike once criticized Freeze’s staff, saying:
> “They have a lot more talent than they’ve been showing, and clearly that is a sign of poor coaching.”
With Freeze’s health concerns and the weight of Auburn’s expectations, all eyes will be on how he manages his team in 2025. If the Tigers can execute Pate’s game plan and Arnold steps up, Auburn could finally break through to the CFP. If not, it could be another long season on the Plains.
Is Jackson Arnold the QB who can finally lead Auburn to the College Football Playoff? Or will the Tigers’ struggles continue?