Alabama Football: Assessing four SEC challengers on 2023 schedule

Alabama Football Opponent Preview: Auburn Tigers

Auburn is a program that has been down for several years now, but hopes to get the train back on the tracks with Hugh Freeze at the helm. The Tigers went 5-7 last year and have not surpassed six wins since the 2019 season.

Freeze hopes to mold quarterback Robby Ashford into a weapon. Ashford is a dynamic athlete, but he will have to improve as a passer to raise Auburn’s ceiling offensively. Tank Bigsby is gone, but Jarquez Hunter returns at running back. Hunter has been just as productive as Bigsby in his more limited opportunities.

Defensively, playmakers like Colby Wooden, Derick Hall, and Owen Pappoe all depart. Auburn’s 2023 recruiting class was subpar at best, due in part to the coaching turmoil it has dealt with since firing Gus Malzahn in 2020.

Auburn attempted to retool through the transfer portal this offseason, where it added several offensive linemen and defensive players to fill the gaps in its roster.

Auburn finally appears to have a stable coaching situation, and should begin to ascend from here. It remains to be seen, however, if the Tigers will have the athletes to compete in the SEC West in 2023.

Still, Alabama football will have to be mentally prepared to play on the Plains. Subpar Auburn teams have given Alabama trouble in Jordan-Hare before, and Freeze would like to think he has the recipe to upset Nick Saban.