Derek Mason believes Auburn can go 7-5 in Year 1 under Hugh Freeze

Former Auburn defensive coordinator Derek Mason is quite confident in Auburn making it to a bowl game and going 7-5 this season.

Hugh Freeze enters the first year of his Tigers’ tenure and the former assistant coach likes Freeze’s chances based on the schedule in the fall. The non-conference schedule is favorable, along with some SEC games that could favor Auburn.

Mason joined SEC Network to break it all down.

“I think 7-5,” Mason said. “I think we understand what their quarterback situation is. We understand that this unit right now is somewhat saddled a little bit in terms of where they sit, but I think what they did in recruiting, what they did in recruiting was outstanding. And they did a good job in the portal and getting (Payton) Thorne and making sure you know really that they can get some competition in the quarterback room. 

“But I think all the way around, they’ve got pieces. When you look at that secondary, you know Keionte (Scott) … guys coming back, Cam Riley, the production. It gives this group a chance offensively and defensively by what he’s done.”

Mason pointed out the non-conference schedule of UMass, Cal and Stanford should get Auburn to 3-0. He also questioned Texas A&M as “we’ll see” in terms of conference play.

Mason followed up on his early prediction and said everybody aside Georgia and LSU should be a winnable game or a game where Auburn has a chance.

He chalked up the Iron Bowl against Alabama as anything can happen.

Freeze didn’t shy away from expectations at SEC Media Days either. He called Auburn among the “upper echelon” of the conference.

“I would see us in the upper echelon of this conference,” Freeze said. “There’s no reason — we have the facilities, we have the support, we have the administration and you’re in an area that football’s important and you’re in an area that you can recruit to.”

Freeze knows Auburn can be among the game’s top programs again. He also knows that his ability to get the Tigers there is going to come down to his ability to recruit.

“I do think that the ’24 and ’25 recruiting cycle will tell a large portion of my story there,” Freeze said. “I believe that. Maybe ’26. We might get three cycles, but we’ve got to start closing the gap on the elite program in the conference, and when you add Texas and Oklahoma, that only increases the competition also. But, there’s a lot of good players. They all can’t go to the same school.

“And, obviously, the transfer portal world adds another dynamic to it. How well good you are at holding onto the ones that you do have in your room, and then attracting ones that may go in and fill some holes for you, and hopefully we can be very good at that at creating a culture where our kids want to be at Auburn and want to stay at Auburn.”