College Football

CFB Top 50, #23: 2025 Auburn Tigers

by
Bracket Yard
July 31, 2025

At number 23 on the CFB Top 50 countdown, the 2025 Auburn Tigers are a team looking for a boost.

Without question, Auburn needs to take a step forward in Year Three for Hugh Freeze. As the big boys in the SEC made moves in 2024, the Tigers got left behind, falling into 14th place despite, statistically, having one of the better defenses in FBS. The first two years of the Freeze leadership have not netted great results, though in fairness to the coach, Auburn has not had a legitimately good season since prior to Covid. This is the year the program has to make its move, and there are signs that they can do it.

2025 Auburn Tigers Basic Facts

Head Coach: Hugh Freeze (3rd season)

2025 Conference: Southeastern Conference (SEC)

2024 Record: 5-7 (2-6), 14th in SEC

Final Resolution of Last Season: Did not qualify for bowl game

2024 Scoring Offensive Rank: 71st (27.8)

2024 Scoring Defensive Rank: T-27th (21.3)

Auburn Key Additions and Subtractions

IN – Jackson Arnold, quarterback. Transferred from Oklahoma.

IN – Eric Singleton, wide receiver. Transferred from Georgia Tech.

OUT – Payton Thorne, quarterback. Signed by Cincinnati as an undrafted free agent.

OUT – Jarquez Hunter, running back. Drafted by LA Rams in 4th round of 2025 Draft.

OUT – KeAndre Lambert-Smith, wide receiver. Drafted by LA Chargers in 5th round of 2025 Draft.

Best Game on the Schedule in 2025

November 29 vs. Alabama. Who doesn’t love a good Iron Bowl? I just wish Verne Lundquist were still calling it.

2025 Auburn Tigers: Outlook

Auburn lost its quarterback from last season to the professional tier, so all they did was poach Oklahoma’s. Jackson Arnold started nine games for the Sooners in 2024, and though the win-loss record was average (5-4), he limited the interceptions and was able to gain some yards on the ground with his feet. Hopefully, Arnold won’t be sacked as many times this season. The Tigers were a middle-of-the-road rushing team last year, so every little bit helps, but for the fact that Auburn’s running back was drafted in the spring. Damari Alston, who occasionally got snaps last year, appears to be in line to take over the role.

Further helping the offense will be Eric Singleton, a wide receiver transfer from Georgia Tech who had a respectable season before moving over to Auburn. He will have a good bit of production to replace from KeAndre Lambert-Smith, now in the pros.

There has been some turnover on defense. Dorian Mausi was Auburn’s leading tackler last season, and he’s gone (NFL). So is Jerrin Thompson (also NFL), who tied for the team lead with two interceptions. Side note: Despite keeping the point totals relatively low, Auburn only had eight defensive interceptions all season in 2024. Perhaps transfer Jacoby Mathews can help; he may have only had one interception in his prior season, but he comes in highly regarded. Meanwhile, defensive end Keldric Faulk looks like he can be one of the stars of the defense this year.

Auburn opens with a reasonably difficult game at Baylor, followed by two winnable games against Ball State and South Alabama. Then, because everyone loves drama, Jackson Arnold faces his old team, Oklahoma, in Norman. The SEC schedule is customarily brutal from there. Auburn is going to have to find a way to start winning these games. If they come out with a road win in Waco in Week 1, you’ll get some people buying in right away. Smarter college football analysts than us think Auburn could take a step forward this season, so we’ll agree now and second-guess later as necessary.