Hugh Freeze jokes about SEC expansion, need for fast start to season

Hugh Freeze and Auburn have a weird schedule to open up 2024, the first season of an expanded SEC.

So naturally, the Tigers’ head coach had jokes at SEC Media Days this week. Auburn has five straight home games to open the season, so the team will have to take advantage.

Jordan-Hare is a tough place to play, but in the final seven games, Auburn plays at the comfort of home just three times.

“Did you say Oklahoma? Oklahoma and Texas are joining us? I got to play Alabama, Georgia and these two? Oh, great. Along with the others (smiling),” Freeze said at SEC Media Days. “I told (the) Commissioner I was going to say that.

“The five home games in a row are not ideal for our fans. That’s why I think we have some of the greatest fans. They’ll still show up. They’re going to be there. Jordan-Hare is a difficult place to play. We have to have the environment.”

Freeze alluded to new member Oklahoma within those first five games. In fact, the Tigers play the Sooners in Game No. 5 before going to Athens to play Georgia.

Although Freeze won’t see Texas on his team’s schedule this year, it’s still a difficult one nonetheless.

After the five straight home games, Auburn is on the road three straight weeks.

“I do believe that five-game stretch is critical to our success of the season,” Freeze said. “Whether it’s the Oklahoma game or the Cal game or the Arkansas game, all of those are vital, and that stretch is going to be really important to us.

“We need our fans. I know it’s difficult on them to come back and forth for five straight weeks. Then unfortunately, we don’t have a home game the whole month of October which is usually the best weather for us. I know our fans will show up. That is a critical stretch, for sure.”

The home games in the backend of the season include Vanderbilt, ULM and Texas A&M, others Auburn has to take advantage of. 

Guess where Freeze and the Tigers will go on the road after Georgia? Missouri, Kentucky and Alabama.

Doesn’t sound too easy now does it? 

“Jordan-Hare, it is a special place,” Freeze said. “I think opponents enjoy the atmosphere, and certainly we hope they don’t. I think when you reflect on the memories you want to make in this conference, that’s what you want.

“Again, I said it earlier, but we have the greatest fans. Our fans are incredible. The student section two hours before the game has it packed out. It’s just an incredible environment that gives us an advantage, I hope. We’ve got to be more consistent for them, particularly at home.”