How Auburn’s expectations change with Nick Saban’s retirement

Jan. 10 was a day of shock and sadness in Tuscaloosa, with Alabama head coach Nick Saban announcing his retirement. Across the state, Auburn was full of joy, feeling like the boogyman was finally gone. Years of watching Alabama dominate on the national stage, the man behind it all was stepping away from the program.

On3’s Phillip Dukes now feels like if there was a time for Auburn to make a push in the SEC, it would be now. Hugh Freeze has been in the conference before and is already recruiting at a high level. The Tigers have been rebuilding but are certainly trending in the right direction.

Alabama hired Kalen DeBoer, a coach well-known for his scheme and on-field winning. However, can he recruiting in the South against fellow national powers? The jury is still out and could give Auburn the opportunity to close the gap.

“It feels like now is the time,” Dukes said. “It feels like you got recruiting where you want it. Hugh Freeze has done a great job of changing the landscape. When you look at what’s been going on previously with the previous regime, Bryan Harsin. It seemed like recruiting wasn’t a focus and the focus was Xs and Os.

“You can’t win. I mean, we talk about the old saying ‘Jimmys and Joes over Xs and Os.’ I think now, you’re getting that combination of Jimmys and Joes and Xs and Os. Now, it seems like the time. You’ve got a guy from the Pacific Northwest who may not be as familiar with the landscape in the Southeast where Auburn is making its bones in recruiting.”

Auburn is likely to finish with the No. 8 class in the country per the On3 Indsutry Team Rankings. The last top-10 finish game during the Gus Malzhan era, with Harsin’s only full cycle finishing outside the top 15.

Duke mentioned NIL is beginning to be a feather in Auburn’s hat, with money “pouring in”. A new videoboard will be put up in the North endzone as well, giving Jordan-Hare Stadium a new feeling.

Hugh Freeze to face pressure heading into 2024 season

Talent is certainly making its way to the Plains and Dukes beleives pressure will be there for Freeze to perform in 2024. Saban is gone and Auburn has an energy it’s been lacks for quite a few years.

“I think it’s going to be a little bit of pressure on Coach Freeze this year,” Dukes said. “Just because of Nick Saban leaving. But I think you have to temper those expectations are realize it’s Year 2. But when you talk to Auburn fans around Alabama, it’s palpable for people to say ‘It’s time for Auburn.'”

Nov. 30 will be one of the more anticiapted Iron Bowls is quite some time, with someone other than Saban on the Alabama sideline for the first time since 2006. Freeze getting a win in Tuscaloosa would also be monumental, breaking a losing streak dating back to 2012.

If Auburn could come away with a win, Tiger fans across the state certainly will feel like the time has come for them.