Reviewed by: Pat Byington
5 things to know about Auburn football before the 2024 season
There is just one empty Saturday remaining before fans return to Jordan-Hare Stadium for an Auburn football game.
The program has undoubtedly had its struggles in recent seasons but coach Hugh Freeze has done enough on the recruiting trail to bring some excitement back to the fanbase. But soon, we will see how that translates to the field and more importantly, the scoreboard.
Keep reading to find out a few things you need to know before the Tigers kick off against Alabama A&M on August 31.
In case you missed it, check out the 5 things you need to know about Alabama.
1. Can Hugh freeze the hot seat?
The Tigers have had three consecutive losing seasons for the first time since 1950 but as previously mentioned, the expectations are certainly rising for the 2024 season.
Freeze’s recruiting could have the Tigers set up for this year and beyond. According to 247 Sports, Auburn’s class rankings currently sit at:
- 2024: 10th
- 2025: 5th
- 2026: 1st
Hugh Freeze has had just two losing seasons in his career: his first with Auburn and his last with Ole Miss in 2016. It may be too early to officially say there is a hot seat but it’s hard to see Freeze surviving another losing season. Especially if it’s countered by more Alabama success under a new coach.
2. Remember the name Cam Coleman
Struggling quarterback play combined with a lack of playmakers on the outside hurt the Tigers offense last season. But the name on everyone’s watch list during the offseason was Cameron Coleman, Auburn’s new 5-star wide receiver from Central-Phenix City.
He already showed off in the spring game but coaches and teammates have been singing his praises throughout preseason camp. Coleman may be enough to impact this offense in a way only one other Cam has done before.
Payton Thorne is back at quarterback with Jarquez Hunter set for a big season in the backfield. Coleman also isn’t the only receiver expected to make noise with Rivaldo Fairweather back and newcomer Robert Lewis in from Georgia State.
3. Tough road trips on the schedule
We all know about the magic of Jordan-Hare Stadium and the Tigers will certainly be relying on some of that home field advantage early in the season.
Auburn’s first five games will be played on The Plains which could allow the Tigers to build some momentum. But it’s the road trips that could define Auburn’s season.
This year’s away games include rivalries against Georgia and Alabama. The other two SEC trips are back-to-back weeks in October. Here’s a look at the full schedule:
- Alabama A&M, Aug. 31
- California, Sept. 7
- New Mexico, Sept. 14
- Arkansas, Sept. 21
- Oklahoma, Sept. 28
- at Georgia, Oct. 5
- at Missouri, Oct. 19
- at Kentucky, Oct. 26
- Vanderbilt, Nov. 2
- ULM, Nov. 16
- Texas A&M, Nov. 23
- at Alabama, Nov. 30
4. Defensive star power
The defense has been a big reason Auburn has still won as many games as it has over the past few seasons. The Tigers have finished in the top 40 in scoring defense in seven of the last eight seasons.
Eugene Asante is back this season with expectations to improve on that scoring defense even further. The linebacker has been included in the Butkus and Bednarik award preseason watch lists.
Other returning starters on defense include:
- Linebacker Jalen McCloud
- Cornerback Keionte Scott
- Defensive lineman Keldric Faulk
There are also plenty of additions expected to make an impact including Oregon transfer Jerrin Thompson and Arkansas State transfer Keyron Crawford.
5. Ending the postseason woes
Auburn has now gone five seasons without a bowl win, its longest drought since 1995. But it also hasn’t played in a major bowl game since the 2019 Outback Bowl.
With the new look College Football Playoff, the door is a little bit wider for teams trying to compete for a national championship. With the SEC’s prestige and Auburn’s strength of schedule, it’s extremely possible nine wins could get the Tigers into the playoff picture.
“My takeaway is that I’m still as confident as ever that this can be an elite football program again. It takes great recruiting but it also takes player-led teams that put team first and the standard of the team first every single day. We’re still learning that and we’ve got to demand it as coaches.”
~ Hugh Freeze after Auburn’s loss in the 2023 Music City Bowl
Whether it’s an appearance in the playoff or another trip to a lower level bowl game, Auburn fans are hoping 2024 can finally bring them a victory beyond November.
If you’re an Auburn fan, what are you most looking forward to this season? Let us know by tagging The Bama Buzz on Instagram, X, Facebook + LinkedIn.
