The 3-2-1: Three things learned, two questions, one prediction as Auburn's season kicks off

We're just days away from the Hugh Freeze era of Auburn football officially kicking off against UMass on September 2 and 2:30 p.m. Central Standard Time. It's a long time coming since Freeze was hired in November of 2022. The anticipation around the program heading into this season is as heightened as its been since maybe the 2014 season, when Gus Malzahn and Co. were coming off a national title game appearance in 2013. Nearly half of the football roster is different from one season ago. Of course, everyone is new to Freeze and his coaching staff. There's little comfort in knowing exactly what the Tigers have on offense and defense heading into the fall. There's potential and optimism, but the character and identity of this team is far from being determined, and a very tough schedule awaits. The outside world believes this Auburn team is capable of five, six, maybe seven wins. Inside the Auburn bubble, the expectations appear to be higher, hoping for at least seven wins, maybe even eight, with an outside chance of nine. Freeze has downplayed expectations since he arrived, pointing towards roster deficiencies and wondering aloud how much Auburn's closed the talent gap to Georgia, Alabama and the likes in college football. Even during a recent scholarship donor dinner, Freeze reiterated that this year could provide some bumps in the road, preaching patience. But come Saturday, the wondering is done. Freeze, new Director of Athletics John Cohen and president Chris Roberts will all watch intently as their futures start to take shape. There's never been more football season tickets sold and a brand-new capacity crowd of 88,043 will fill Jordan-Hare Stadium for the first time, as a truly new era of Auburn football, filled with NIL opportunities, university collectives and conference realignment as the backdrop, begins. So let’s get into The 3-2-1: Three things learned, two questions, one prediction entering Auburn's season opener against UMass.