The Auburn Tigers suffered their second consecutive SEC defeat on Saturday, leaving them at the bottom of the conference standings. The same errors that plagued them in their previous loss to Oklahoma resurfaced, costing them a game they should have won.
After the game, head coach Hugh Freeze took some responsibility for the loss, a departure from his typical postgame demeanor. However, he quickly returned to form, facing ongoing criticism for placing blame on his players following disappointing performances. For instance, after a lackluster showing against California, where the Tigers only managed to score 14 points, Freeze insisted that his coaching staff executed a nearly flawless game plan, stating that it was the execution that faltered.
This pattern continued after their defeat against Arkansas, where ball security emerged as a critical issue for the offense. Auburn has been unable to avoid turnovers, ranking last in the NCAA in giveaways as they entered their match against Oklahoma, where they would only add to that troubling statistic.
Despite leading for most of the game, the Tigers experienced a fourth-quarter collapse, relinquishing a 21-10 advantage and ultimately losing to the Sooners. Oklahoma’s final lead came from a pick-six, which seemed fitting for Freeze’s struggling team.
In a shift from his usual stance, Freeze acknowledged that he did not want to place all the blame on quarterback Payton Thorne. “I shouldn’t have put him in that situation,” he admitted after the game. “It’s one that stings for sure, and I’ve got to help our team get over the edge.” This admission was welcomed by many who felt he had been too harsh on his players.
However, by Monday, Freeze reverted to his earlier behavior, defending his past criticisms during media interactions. He claimed, “Everybody seems to think that when I tell you what really happened, that I’m throwing somebody under the bus,” reiterating his belief that he had called the most effective plays during crucial moments of the game.
In a notable departure from his usual focus on the quarterback, this time a backup tight end found himself in Freeze’s line of fire.
Overall, the Auburn Tigers have struggled under Hugh Freeze’s leadership, boasting a record of just 8-10 over two seasons. The challenges are unlikely to ease, especially with a challenging matchup against Georgia on the horizon. The Tigers will be looking to bounce back after yet another game slipped through their fingers.
