Hugh Freeze 'uncertain' about expectations in 2024: 'Do we have enough bullets in the gun to play eight to 10 games against really, really good teams?'

Hugh Freeze is turning Auburn football around one day at a time. During an appearance on “The Paul Finebaum Show,” the Tigers’ head coach revealed his excitement for the upcoming season.

“Most of us who have done this a while, know that you feel good about certain things and probably not so good about some. I’m really excited about where I think the chemistry of our team is and their confidence,” Freeze said. “Do we have enough bullets in the gun yet to play eight to 10 games against really, really good teams in this league and and be able to pull them off? I’m uncertain of that.

“But, I do think these young kids we signed are really talented, and we’re gonna have to depend upon them. That’s really the hardest measuring stick for me because they’re so young and they haven’t had to do it yet against the type of players that you see in this league. But I am cautiously optimistic. I believe we’re better, for sure.”

Auburn had no shortage of roster turnovers this offseason. In Freeze’s first full offseason at the helm of the program, he reeled in the No. 8 recruiting class in the 2024 cycle and the No. 12 transfer class in the country.

In total, Auburn will return 65% of its production from last season, per ESPN. Expectations are high for the Tigers after Freeze led Auburn to a 6-7 record and a 3-5 mark in conference play in the 2023 campaign.

Auburn’s 2024 schedule will be grueling. With matchups against Oklahoma, Alabama and Georgia spread throughout the season, Auburn will rarely have to time to rest. Nonetheless, Freeze is ecstatic for the future of Auburn football.

Hugh Freeze: ‘Auburn should be one of the top 10 programs’

“Auburn should be one of the top 10 programs in the country. And to do that, you have to have alignment and resources and support,” Freeze said. “We have the best fans, and our administration are aligned. Our supporters are incredibly positive. And at the same time supportive of us building.

“Now I tell them all, I think you’ve gotta have patience in this league to build a great program and build it the way we want to build it,” Freeze said. “And I think that’s why they’re optimistic right now and very positive is because they see us trending, particularly in recruiting.”

Auburn will kick off its 2024 season with a showdown against Alabama A&M on Aug. 31 at 7:30 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.