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Andraya Carter explains how Auburn can reach its national championship ceiling

IMG_6598by:Nick Kosko•02/15/25•

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ESPN’s Andraya Carter made the case for Auburn to the national title when we get to March Madness in 2025.

The Tigers are currently ranked No. 1 in the country halfway through February, so they clearly have the talent to make a run towards the top. Offensively, this team is way too good.

But it’s on the flip side, defense, that Carter wants to see Auburn step up. If they do, you might as well give them the trophy.

“Alabama fans hate to hear this, but Auburn can win it all if they play with energy and execute on the defensive end,” Carter said on College GameDay. “Auburn has the best offense in the country. I never worry about Auburn offensively, but the Florida game is a great example that coach Pearl said they did not execute defensively. They had a game plan. They didn’t execute it, and they also didn’t make adjustments to it. So for Auburn, not worried about the offense, (it’s) the defense.”

Auburn is 22-2 this season and sometimes a loss can give a team a spark. Recently, the Tigers fell to No. 3 Florida last weekend before bouncing back with a win over Vanderbilt on Tuesday.

Bruce Pearl denied that a loss to an SEC foe sparked or gave Auburn any extra motivation, despite immediately turning around and getting a win.

“It’s a classic, you think so,” Pearl said. “But I honestly don’t think it had any effect. I thought Florida beat us, I thought Florida was better… I thought their front line was more active, bouncier. I thought Florida was better. We may see them again down the road, that’s a Final Four team. I don’t think it was like ‘Well, I’m glad we got that loss out of the way now.’ Like, what are you talking about? Have you seen our schedule?”

Auburn was slow coming out of the gates but eventually pulled away for a comfortable win. A great way to bounce back after the first SEC loss of the season.

“It’s just about taking it one game at a time,” Pearl said. “So far, this team has done a pretty good job of taking it one at a time and we’ve learned a lot from our wins. Florida beat us because they were better.”

Auburn takes on rival Alabama, in a battle of the top two teams in the country, at 4:00 p.m ET Saturday.