Ten Days Until Kickoff: Ten Auburn Football Storylines to Follow
With just ten days remaining until the start of the 2025 Auburn football season, excitement is reaching a fever pitch. The Tigers, led by head coach Hugh Freeze, are preparing for another intense and highly anticipated season in the Southeastern Conference. As fans and analysts alike eagerly anticipate the upcoming campaign, several compelling storylines are emerging that will undoubtedly shape the course of Auburn’s season. From positional battles to coaching changes, here are ten key storylines to follow as Auburn football heads into the 2025 season.
1. Hugh Freeze’s Impact in Year Two
The start of the 2025 season marks the second year of Hugh Freeze’s tenure as Auburn’s head coach. After taking over in 2024, Freeze quickly endeared himself to fans with his energetic personality, offensive mindset, and strong recruiting efforts. However, Year 1 was a mixture of highs and lows, with Auburn finishing 6-6 and struggling at times with consistency.
Heading into 2025, Freeze will be expected to take the next step, turning Auburn from a middle-tier SEC team into a contender once again. The question is: how quickly can Freeze’s system take root? Can he bring the offensive explosiveness that was sorely missing under former head coach Bryan Harsin, and how will he manage expectations with such a young team? Freeze’s ability to adapt to SEC football, recruit the right players, and build a strong program will be at the forefront of his 2025 campaign.
2. The Quarterback Battle: Who Will Lead the Offense?
One of the biggest questions surrounding Auburn football heading into the season is the battle for the starting quarterback job. With the departure of last year’s starter, the Tigers have a few options at the position, including transfers and returning players.
T.J. Finley, a seasoned veteran, is back in the mix but has yet to prove he is the answer at quarterback. Meanwhile, the transfer portal brought in promising new talent, with both Payton Thorne (a Michigan State transfer) and Hank Brown, a promising freshman, joining the fold. Thorne is the front-runner for the starting role due to his proven track record at Michigan State, but Freeze has made it clear that the job is open for competition. Whomever earns the job will need to be effective running Freeze’s up-tempo offense, which relies on quick decision-making and efficiency in both the passing and running game. The battle for the starting quarterback role will be one of the most watched storylines leading up to the season opener.
3. Can Auburn’s Offensive Line Hold Up?
One of the biggest concerns for Auburn in 2024 was its offensive line. The Tigers struggled to protect the quarterback, and their running game was often stifled by poor blocking at the point of attack. While the line showed flashes of potential, it lacked consistency and struggled against some of the SEC’s more formidable defensive fronts.
In 2025, the offensive line’s performance will be even more critical. With a new offensive scheme in place, Freeze will rely on the offensive line to open up running lanes for a revamped backfield and provide adequate protection for whichever quarterback wins the job. Auburn’s offensive line will be a key factor in determining the success of the offense this season. The Tigers will need to stay healthy up front and see improvements from returning players, as well as contributions from newcomers, to keep the offense moving in the right direction.
4. Running Back by Committee or One Lead Back?
Auburn’s running game has always been a staple of the program’s identity, but in 2024, the Tigers faced difficulties in establishing a consistent ground attack. With Tank Bigsby now in the NFL, Freeze will look to implement a new strategy for the running back position in 2025.
Currently, Auburn is looking at a “running back by committee” approach. Players like Damari Alston, Jarquez Hunter, and Brian Battie will all play key roles in the backfield. The question is whether one player can emerge as the clear lead back, capable of shouldering the load in the SEC. Freeze’s offense will rely heavily on a dynamic running game, and finding the right combination of backs who can break off big plays while also grinding out tough yardage in short-yardage situations will be essential to the Tigers’ success.
5. A Defense Built to Compete in the SEC
While much of the talk surrounding Auburn in recent years has centered on its offensive struggles, the Tigers have consistently boasted a competitive defense. In 2024, Auburn’s defense was solid but not always dominant. The challenge for defensive coordinator Ron Roberts in 2025 is to take the next step in elevating this unit to elite status.
With players like Colby Wooden and Owen Pappoe moving on, Auburn will need new stars to emerge on defense. Linebacker will be a key position, as Auburn returns some experience but needs playmakers to step up and fill the leadership void. The defensive line, anchored by returning studs like Marcus Harris, will be crucial in putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks and stopping the run. In the SEC, a stout defense is a must, and the Tigers’ defense will be expected to deliver week in and week out.
6. The Secondary: Youth and Potential
Auburn’s secondary has been one of the team’s weak spots in recent years, and that trend continued in 2024. However, in 2025, there is hope that the defensive backs will show significant improvement. With a mix of returning players and highly touted recruits, the potential is there for Auburn’s secondary to be much improved this season.
Look for Auburn to experiment with different looks, including perhaps some more aggressive defensive backfield schemes under Roberts’ watch. The addition of new talent, including freshmen and transfers, may be just what the Tigers need to shore up their pass defense. How quickly the secondary can gel and improve its coverage will be a crucial factor in Auburn’s defensive success this season.
7. Can Auburn Compete with SEC Powerhouses?
Auburn’s place in the SEC has always been one of contention, especially in a conference where teams like Georgia, Alabama, and LSU dominate the headlines. The 2025 season will be another year in which Auburn faces the SEC’s toughest competition, and while the Tigers may not be expected to dethrone Georgia or Alabama this season, they will be measured by their ability to compete.
Can Auburn find ways to keep games against these heavyweights close? Can they pull off an upset or two, as they’ve done in the past? Freeze’s ability to keep Auburn competitive in these marquee matchups will be a critical storyline for the team this year. Auburn’s 2025 season may not be defined by how it fares against these powerhouses, but the ability to challenge them and potentially take down one of these top-tier programs would signal significant progress.
8. Special Teams: An Often Overlooked but Crucial Element
In any successful football season, special teams play a crucial role, and 2025 will be no different for Auburn. With a new kicker in place and some new faces on the punt and kick return units, Auburn must ensure that its special teams are not a weak link.
Kicking game consistency will be a focus, as the Tigers need a reliable kicker who can handle pressure in close games. Additionally, Auburn’s return game, which has been inconsistent in recent seasons, must find a spark to create explosive plays. Special teams can often be the difference between winning and losing a game, and Freeze will be focused on making sure his team excels in all facets of special teams play.
9. Recruiting and Building for the Future
One of the most exciting aspects of Freeze’s tenure has been his ability to recruit top-tier talent. In 2025, Auburn’s recruiting class is among the best in the SEC, with several high-profile players expected to make an immediate impact. How these freshmen and transfers integrate into the team will be a key storyline to watch.
Freeze’s success on the recruiting trail is also essential for long-term success. While the focus is on the 2025 season, the program’s future depends heavily on continued success in bringing in top-notch recruits year after year. Auburn’s rise under Freeze will be dictated, in part, by the talent he brings to campus.
10. Auburn’s Schedule and Early Tests
The 2025 Auburn football schedule is filled with challenges, as the Tigers face some of the toughest teams in the SEC. The early-season stretch will be especially critical for Freeze’s squad, with games against tough opponents that could define the trajectory of the season.
The season opener, against a non-conference opponent, will be a good gauge of where the Tigers stand as they head into the heart of SEC play. Early tests against teams like LSU, Georgia, and Alabama will give Freeze’s team a chance to prove themselves and see where they stack up in the SEC hierarchy.
As the season progresses, Auburn’s ability to handle adversity and step up to these challenges will be a defining characteristic. Whether they are able to upset one of the conference’s elite teams or falter under pressure will play a huge role in their 2025 campaign.
Conclusion
As Auburn football readies itself for the 2025 season, these ten storylines will dominate discussions in the lead-up to kickoff. From the quarterback battle to the quest for defensive improvements and Freeze’s ability to guide the team to success, Auburn fans have plenty to keep an eye on. The excitement and anticipation surrounding the Tigers’ new era are palpable, and only time will tell whether Hugh Freeze and his staff can deliver the results everyone is hoping for. The clock is ticking down, and in just ten days, the Tigers will hit the field, eager to make their mark in the SEC once again.
