Three Big Questions: Auburn Tigers
A look at each FBS program heading into 2023, alphabetically
Auburn has been one of the most interesting teams in the past few seasons. From the highs of the Cam Newton-Gus Malzahn days, to Bo Nix being focused and having fun, and to the boosters getting Bryan Harsin canned, Auburn has had a ton of fun. Or not, depending on how you look at it. Then, toss in the divisive figure of Hugh Freeze at the helm, and we have one of the more interesting teams for the next couple of seasons.
Team Information
School: Auburn Tigers
Conference: Southeastern (West)
2022 Record: 5-7 (2-6)
Bowl: N/A
Coaching Staff:
Head Coach: Hugh Freeze, first season
Offensive Coordinator: Philip Montgomery, first season
Defensive Coordinator: Ron Roberts, first season
1. Does the revamped offensive line give Robby Ashford a second chance?
As far as I can tell, Robby Ashford is going to lead the Tigers again this season. The true freshman had a rough debut season, but so did everyone on the plains a year ago. He completed just under half of his passes for 1,613 yards and an even seven-to-seven touchdown to interception ratio.
Freeze and company hit the portal hard, landing the third best transfer class in the nation. The fact that they didn’t add a quarterback shows that Ashford is still the future for the Tigers.
Auburn added three new four-star offensive linemen in guard Avery Jones from East Carolina, tackle Dillon Wade from Tulsa, and tackle Gunner Britton from Western Kentucky. They also added in 2023 four-star guard Conner Lew from Acworth, Georgia.
One of the most impactful things that a team can do for their young quarterback is to give them more protection. Freeze and Montgomery certainly did that, and have set Ashford up for success. He took 24 sacks a year ago, which ranked 87th in the nation. For a team looking to compete in the SEC, that’s a number that’s unacceptable.
The increased protection should also help improve Ashford’s efficiency numbers. If he’s not under pressure all the time, he should have more completions per pass. Pressure is one of the biggest determinants of passing efficiency, and Freeze’s new offensive line should greatly help that.
2. Can Freeze bring life to the Tank Bigsby-less Tiger offense?
While Ashford’s 2022 was rough, running back Tank Bigsby was the focal point of Bryan Harsin’s offense. Bigsby, however, is gone for the NFL.
Auburn was 18th in the nation in rush yards per game in a run-heavy offense in 2022, but without their lead back, can they replicate those numbers? The pass offense wasn’t good enough to offset the loss of Bigsby, finishing 119th in the nation with 172.7 yards per game.
Freeze did bring in four-star USF transfer Brian Battie to take over for Bigsby, who carries three years of eligibility. Surprisingly, Battie had an even better 2022 than Bigsby, rushing for 1,186 yards and eight touchdowns. He also bested Bigsby’s efficiency numbers, posting 6.7 yards per carry, compared to Bigsby’s 5.4.
Freeze and Montgomery are bringing in a run-centric, RPO-based offense that should work well with the Tigers’ personnel. The run-focused approach is where Auburn succeeded last year, and the rhythmic RPO attack can help get the most out of Ashford. Battie will certainly help, and brings a dynamic talent to the offense.
I think Freeze and Montgomery’s scheme lends well to Auburn, but we’ll have to see. Battie will help, and can ease the void left by Bigsby.
3. Can Auburn keep opposing offenses out of the endzone?
The Tigers had a porous defense a year ago, allowing 29.5 points per game, which ranked 98th in the nation. Not great. Especially when you consider that they only scored 24.8, which tied them for 90th in the nation.
The Tigers were also prone to giving up big games, allowing 40+ points five times last year, all of which they lost. We can also add in a 39-point effort allowed to Mississippi State, which they also lost.
Auburn needs to find an answer to their scoring defense. Without that, the Tigers have no chance against the rest of the SEC. When the Tigers allowed less than 40 points, they were 5-2. While that is an oversimplification of the problem, the scoring defense is clearly one of the biggest issues in Auburn.
Freeze’s transfer class was largely focused on the offense, which doesn’t bode well for the defense improving. But, three of their top four high school prospects for the 2023 class are on the defensive side. While all three of them are four-stars, they have the opportunity to play early. Kendric Faulk, a four-star defensive linemen from Highland Home, Alabama, brings a versatile, athletic presence to the front seven and projects as a very solid five-tech guy. Four-star corner Kayin Lee from Ellenwood, Georgia is a bit undersized, but has a nose for the ball and is a great physical tackler on the outside. Wilky Denaud, a four-star defensive lineman from Fort Pierce, Florida, is a strong-looking power rusher that can make an impact off the edge.
If any of these players can bring an impact, it will greatly help the Tigers’ struggling defense. But, until then, Auburn will continue to hemorrhage points. In order to make any waves in the SEC, they need to stop opposing offenses.
What are the expectations for Auburn?
Auburn is in an interesting position. They have a new staff with a similar scheme to the one that didn’t work well a year ago. They filled a lot of holes through the portal, but is that enough? I don’t see much improvement on the edges. The defense, at least to me, is too far away from competing in the SEC. Auburn has to learn how to keep opposing offenses out of the endzone, and I think that will be the emphasis this offseason for Freeze. But, all-in-all, 2023 has much of the same thing in store as 2022. The Tigers are likely looking at a five-to-seven win season, with a bowl bid up in the air.