Greg McElroy, David Pollack question Hugh Freeze’s management at Auburn
Year Two for Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze is not going as planned. The Tigers dropped to 2-2 on the season after losing their first game of SEC play at home to Arkansas in a game that included a slew of turnovers and a quarterback change.
No. 21 Oklahoma now heads to Jordan-Hare Stadium this weekend as Auburn will look to get back in the win column. Of course, that will be a lot easier said than done according to college football analyst David Pollack, who recently spoke with Greg McElroy about the state of the Tigers.
“It’s frustrating because the bottom line is, whether you like it or not, you’re going to be frustrated. And when you’re on the field all the time, you get worn out, and you can be at your best all you want, but it doesn’t really matter. You’re going right back out there,” Pollack said specifically of Auburn’s defense. “It’s one thing not to play great offense, a la Michigan versus USC, it’s another thing not to play great offense and donate the football and put you in bad situations, a la Oklahoma versus Tennessee. If you can run the football and at least eat clock and at least not put me in horrible situations, that would be one thing.”
Auburn’s recent shortcomings have been highlighted by their mistakes on the offensive side of the ball, which is supposed to be Freeze’s specialty. With a whopping 18 turnovers through four games this season, Auburn has started two different quarterbacks that both have not been able to deliver when it’s mattered most. It’s what Pollack believes could even negatively impact recruiting this early in the season.
“The quarterback play has been bad for a while, they’ve got to find some kind of consistency there. But again, go to recruiting. Auburn’s had some success on the recruiting trail and Hugh Freeze has been able to say we’re building and this year two, like we’re going to ascend. And now, when you watch this, I think you’re going to have severe doubt. And some of the kids that have committed, I think it’s just going to be really hard,” Pollack explained.
Payton Thorne was Auburn’s starter under center last season, with expectations to take a jump this season and elevate the offense. But after four interceptions in an upset loss to Cal, Freeze handed over the keys to redshirt freshman Hank Brown. Brown thrived against New Mexico in his first career start, but threw three interceptions last weekend against Arkansas before being replaced by Thorne.
“It is demoralizing to watch, I think they pressed the panic button with Payton Thorne early,” McElroy said. “I didn’t think he played great against Cal by any stretch, but do I think he deserved to lose his job in favor of what’s behind him? No, I don’t. Just knowing what’s behind him, I think he’s the best man for the job. If they want to win games, he’s the guy that needs to be under center.”
It will be interesting to see how Freeze manages the Tigers and the quarterback position specifically moving forward. He’s already receiving plenty of outside criticism for his methods and comments regarding the offense as he looks to turn things around following a slow start out of the gate.