Auburn 59 Massachusetts 14. The Auburn football program reached a major milestone winning their 2023 season opener to finally start the Hugh Freeze era on the plains. The last time the Auburn football team walked off a football field nine months ago in Tuscaloosa there were doubts about whether Auburn would be able to field a legitimate team in 2023. Auburn's last two coaches had done such a bad job recruiting and Auburn's roster looked so bad that it made that last statement not an exaggeration. The Auburn football program was at an all-time low. However maybe just maybe something good has come out of the last decade at Auburn. It appears that Auburn has finally hired a president with an ounce of common sense, an athletic director that was actually qualified, and a football coach that can recruit, coach, and actually communicate with people. That is a true miracle at Auburn University.
I think this Auburn team will be fortunate just to have a winning season this year but that having a winning record is even a possibility is again, a miracle. It is a testament to again getting this leadership in place and the work of Hugh Freeze and his staff. The job they have done in the last nine months to rebuild this football program and get them to yesterday is unbelievable, and I do mean unbelievable. This staff has completely rebuilt this roster mainly through the transfer portal but also by getting several key flips for signing day this year. Freeze and company have brought in more offensive linemen in the past year than Auburn has brought in the past 6 years combined I think. They certainly have brought in the most legitimate offensive tackle prospects in a very long time. Auburn does not have championship talent yet but look at the difference between the roster at the end of last season and the one to start this one. IT IS SIMPLY AMAZING.
Hugh Freeze and his staff have not only changed the roster but they have changed the culture and the entire attitude around the Auburn football program as well. I, like many others, think that some of the blathering on about culture in sports is overstated but not at Auburn. Again Carnell Williams injected life into the program last season but the long term prognosis was still very bad. People just do not understand how bad the roster was and how much damage our last two coaches had done to the spirit of the program. The vibe around Auburn football has been pretty bad for a long time. Hugh Freeze, Carnell, and the entire staff have changed that. It has showed in recruiting and the roster overhaul, it has showed in ticket sales, and it showed yesterday in a tremendous season opener. I actually cannot remember the last time I was that excited for a season opener.
The whole day was a victory and the actual game was the exclamation point. On the field Auburn had a legitimate quarterback behind center for the first time in awhile. On the offensive line, Auburn had legitimate tackles for the first time in a very long time. You saw a major upgrade in talent across the board and it showed in the game. Again Auburn is not a championship contender and still has some big holes and areas that need improvement but they are much better than I thought they would be nine months ago. Auburn predictably went back to basics and relied on the running game behind this retooled offensive line. The Tigers even without starter Jarquez Hunter in the game ran all over the Minutemen. Damari Alston, Brian Battie, Jeremiah Cobb plus Justin Jones and Sean Jackson rushed for almost 250 yards and three touchdowns. You add to them Robby Ashford at the wildcat and those totals go to almost 300 yards and six touchdowns.
The Auburn running game will be the foundation of the offense but Auburn again has upgraded the personnel and coaching at quarterback as well. Payton Thorne looked the part of the veteran game manager Saturday and obviously he will be asked to do more and more as the schedule grows harder. He is not Cam Newton but he is miles ahead of what we have seen the last two years. The receivers had an up and down day but again at least look improved over the last two years. Auburn looks to have a solid competent SEC offense that can make some big plays. All of us want to be better but again I am very thankful that this staff was able to just get us to this point. Another big point is that not only is the talent level upgraded but so is the DEPTH. Auburn has some depth on the line, at running back, at wide receiver, and definitely at tight end. Now the outlook will grow dimmer if Thorne gets hurt but that is true for better programs than us as well if they lose their starting quarterback.
The prognosis on defense is not as rosy as we all got our first look at this Auburn defense. Auburn has some SEC caliber talent on offense but in my opinion Auburn does not have a lot of SEC level talent in the defensive front six or seven. Auburn got some talented young defensive ends on the roster but the line overall is weak and there appear to be no standouts at linebacker. Time will tell and I hope I am wrong but it sure looks like this defense is going to seriously struggle against top SEC teams. They are most likely going to have some rough days this season. The secondary is veteran and pretty strong but they can only do so much if we have a weak front six or seven. This coaching staff's next big challenge is getting in All-SEC defensive tackles which is much easier said than done. Defensive tackle recruiting has almost eclipsed every position but quarterback in importance. The jury is still out as well on defensive coordinator Ron Roberts and if he is the long term solution for Auburn running the defense.
I need to stop though and listen to Coach Freeze as he made it a point in his post game presser to say that he has learned to stop and enjoy the wins more and he has made that a point to his staff. Right now we just need to enjoy this win and the huge improvement in this program and team plus get fired up for a cross country roadie to play Cal this next weekend. I am not thrilled about a 9:30pm start time (!!!) but am always excited to play a Power 5 team (at least they are for now) Auburn has never played before. Hopefully these Auburn Tigers can keep the good feelings going for another week!
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