Auburn fans erupted with joy when they initially heard the head coach to replace Bryan Harsin.
Cool slogans, such as “A freeze is coming,” started happening. Hugh Freeze’s return to the Southeastern Conference after four seasons at Liberty (2019-22) created a media buzz. People became interested, especially after his success at Ole Miss, in what he could at Auburn. Harsin did not leave Freeze much to work with, but off his name people expected Freeze to make something happen in his first year. Auburn won its first three games; however, it fell into a four-game losing streak. It bounced back with three straight victories, but then Auburn suffered an embarrassing loss to New Mexico State. Freeze wants to see the Tigers play with more ‘spirit’ against Alabama, but he has something on his side for the upcoming Iron Bowl at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
RELATED: Nick Saban talks relationship with Auburn Coach Hugh Freeze
Freeze is one of the few coaches that has beaten Saban twice.
He joins former SEC coaches Les Miles (LSU) and Gus Malzahn (Auburn) in that category. Freeze also joins Dabo Swinney (Clemson), who defeated Saban twice in two College Football Playoff National Championship Games in the 2016 and 2018 seasons. Urban Meyer defeated Saban twice at Florida (2008 SEC Championship Game) and Ohio State (2014 CFP Semifinal Game, Allstate Sugar Bowl). Freeze beat Saban as Ole Miss’ head coach in 2014 (Oxford, Miss.) and 2015 (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)
He can draw from that experience to salvage Auburn’s season, but will it be enough?
Alabama has been locked in since its loss to Texas in week two. It will play for an SEC Championship against Georgia, but the Crimson Tide understands it has an opportunity at a CFP berth. Jordan-Hare Stadium will be rocking throughout the game.
We will see what Freeze has in store. He will have the Tigers ready to play on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT via CBS.
Click here to follow the Bama Elite Podcast
*Get the BEST Alabama football insider information, message board access, and recruiting coverage today! SIGN UP HERE to unlock our subscriber-only content!*
Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
