Spring is the season of hope and rebirth. SEC football springs follow a similar pattern. Programs with recent struggles cast disappointments aside and replace them with optimism.
Programs with a new head coach can experience what in weather terms is called a ‘False Spring’ when enthusiasm for a fresh start blinds facts.
Spring has commenced in Auburn, for both football and the weather. The Tigers have a new coach in Hugh Freeze. A couple of weeks into Auburn’s spring practice schedule, reports have been rosy.
The Opelika Observer has offered a couple of early predictions.
"Spirits are high around the Auburn football program. There is a lot more enthusiasm surrounding the Tigers than there normally would be for a team that is coming off a 5-7 season.The roster has some question marks, but the answers are coming together.THE RUNNING BACK ROOM IS LOADED.THE NEW AND IMPROVED OFFENSIVE LINE IS GETTING IT DONE."
Perhaps both predictions are valid. Last season, Auburn’s running backs ran behind an ineffective offensive line. Hugh Freeze has brought in OL, transfer reinforcements. Three of the transfers are expected to start in the fall. They could well be an upgrade, though the defenses they were blocking last season, as members of East Carolina, Western Kentucky and Tulsa teams, were not filled with SEC quality athletes.
The most enthusiasm in Auburn comes from the high regard for Hugh Freeze as a coach. As a man, Auburn faithful, label him as fully redeemed from past transgressions. Auburn fans who were made happy by Gus Malzahn’s exit, are now proudly quoting the UCF coach, who said recently, that Freeze is “really, really good” and a “really” good match for Auburn.
Are there “really” good reasons for Auburn optimism? SEC football is unpredictable enough, Auburn could gain some big wins in 2023. The early schedule is favorable and the Tigers should be 3-0 when they travel to College Station. If the Tigers cannot get past the Aggies, the season could turn to 3-3 quickly.
2023 SEC Football Season
A good thing for Freeze is seven wins, with one being an Auburn Iron Bowl, would be viewed as a success; especially by Auburn fans. And Auburn fans gleefully point to the success Freeze had against Saban with Ole Miss.
Apparently, Saban and Freeze are friends. Maybe, with some recent talk of playing some spring golf together, the friendship connection is genuine. That did not stop Freeze from talking about the next Iron Bowl, by stating,
"I want to beat the crap out of him (Saban) during the Iron Bowl"
Of course, he does. No doubt Nick Saban wants to do the same to Freeze. The difference is Saban has no need to offer the sentiment as a media quote. Boldness is rewarded, especially in SEC football, so what Freeze said is appropriate. But it carries a tinge of trying to ward off doubt about Auburn having any real chance in the 2023 Iron Bowl. And if the Tigers don’t have the talent level to compete with the Alabama Crimson Tide, that could be ‘really’ bad for Freeze and the Aubies.
I have a personal regret about Freeze. If Nick Saban keeps calling Freeze a friend, I guess I’ll have to stop calling Auburn’s Head Coach ‘The Reverend’.