Just when you think Billy Napier is the most troubled head coach heading into a new CFB season, Auburn’s Hugh Freeze comes to mind. Auburn has not been a real national title threat since they made the championship appearance over a decade ago. Since that remarkable mark against Florida State during the 2013 season, Auburn has won 10 or more games in a season just once. In Freeze’s first couple of seasons with the Tigers, he could barely touch a milestone. It’s time for the Tigers to emerge as a true contender again. If Freeze fails to do so, it might be a final warning for his job. So, what’s on the line?

SEC schedule is supposed to be a force to be reckoned with. But in the case of the Tigers’ 2025 ride, they got some luck wrapped in some easy games later in the season. Auburn will play three nonconference games in the first three weeks, starting the season in Waco for an intriguing meet-up with Baylor. That will be followed by home games against Ball State and South Alabama before starting SEC play. The final nonconference game will be against Mercer on Nov. 22.

”I think part of their schedule is pretty manageable. You mentioned that Georgia game being at home, but then after that, Missouri at home at Arkansas, Kentucky, Vandy, and Mercer in a five-game stretch. I mean, theoretically, they could go 5-0, 4-1 in that stretch and really do put themselves in a good spot, but to me, the start, September is brutal,” said analyst TJ in the March 7th episode of College Football Addition.

It’s a mixed-bag opportunity for Coach Freeze to capitalize on. Despite some good enough chances to pull off wins, a strong start will ultimately be a springboard to success. They will have a tricky opener against Baylor. Despite some struggles last year, the Bears are capable enough to instill some early headaches in the Tigers. Ball State comes to Jordan-Hare as Auburn’s first home game of the season. This matchup will test the readiness of the Tigers, triggering them to clean up any issues for future conference games.

However, the Tigers’ overall success will depend on a large variety of factors. From recruiting, coaching decisions, and player development to the minute eye on call-playing execution, it will set off the tempo for Freeze’s make-it-or-break-it year at Auburn.

A jacked-up QB room, including gems like Jackson Arnold, Deuce Knight, and Ashton Daniels, can be of great help to the team, culminating in a stress-free ride for Freeze and the other staff. But they need to utilize them in the proper spots, creating a wide receiver safety net, a good run game, quality play calling, and everything in between to ensure success. But the brewing quarterback competition needs special attention to deal with.

Deuce Knight might leave Jackson Arnold’s QB1 fate in serious jeopardy

The success of Freeze’s quarterbacks is the most historical constant in his storied coaching career, and he didn’t shy away from boasting about it when he was first introduced as Auburn football’s head coach in November 2022. “I do think I have a gift to help develop quarterbacks,” Freeze said on Nov. 29, 2022. “I think, if you look at everywhere we’ve been, we’ve had pretty good success with that.”

So, you can rest assured that Freeze has a nose for selecting the right QB under center. Now, heading into a new season, he has two prominent options: the Oklahoma guy Jackson Arnold and the 5-star freshman from Notre Dame, Deuce Knight. Arnold was the Sooners’ starter in 2024 but had a rollercoaster year that included a win over Alabama but also saw him get benched early in the season. Arnold threw for 1,421 yards, 12 touchdowns, and three interceptions in 10 games during 2024 and ran for 444 yards and three touchdowns. But with a new giant on the radar, it won’t be a surprise if Freeze chooses to go with the alternative.

Zac Blackerby of ‘Locked on Auburn’ highlighted how Deuce Knight could put the former Sooners’ QB’s job on notice. “Jackson Arnold starts the season, and barring an injury, we want Jackson Arnold to succeed, but what I think is that Deuce Knight is pursuing that QB1 job and trying to take it from Jackson Arnold…I think the most realistic scenario is at the end of the year, with Jackson Arnold having two years left of eligibility. If you’re Hugh Freeze or this offensive coaching staff, it allows you to make a decision to say, ‘Hey Jackson, you can go. We’re good here. Thank you for what you did. Thank you for leading Auburn’s offense this past season’.”

It will be interesting to see how the QB situation develops at Auburn under the wise stewardship of Freeze, for better or worse.