Auburn Football’s Final Grade Released by USA TODAY Sports: A Look at the Tigers’ 2024 Season
As the 2024 college football season comes to a close, fans and analysts alike are reflecting on the performances of teams across the nation. For Auburn football, it was a year of significant change and adjustment, with new leadership, a reworked roster, and an evolving identity. With those changes in mind, USA TODAY Sports has officially released its final grade for Auburn football, providing a detailed assessment of the Tigers’ performance throughout the season.
The grading system, like any evaluation, is multifaceted, taking into account several key factors including team performance, coaching, recruiting, and overall program direction. Auburn, a program steeped in tradition and high expectations, is always under a microscope, and their final grade this season provides both insight into the progress they made and the areas still in need of improvement.
So, what grade did USA TODAY Sports assign to Auburn football for 2024, and how did they arrive at this conclusion? Let’s dive into an analysis of Auburn’s season, highlighting both the positives and the challenges that led to their final assessment.
The New Era of Auburn Football: A Look at the Coaching Change
The 2024 season was a year of transition for Auburn football, as the team underwent a coaching change following a challenging 2023 campaign. Hugh Freeze was hired to take over the program, bringing a new vision and approach to the Tigers. His arrival was met with high hopes from Auburn fans, who were eager for a new direction after the struggles of the previous coaching staff.
The transition to Freeze’s style of football was expected to be a process, and USA TODAY Sports acknowledged the growing pains the team faced. While there were signs of improvement throughout the season, Auburn’s performance under Freeze in year one showed the need for further development, both on the field and within the team’s culture.
1. Offensive Struggles and Growth
Auburn’s offense in 2024 struggled to find consistency early in the season, a common theme for teams undergoing significant change at the head coaching and offensive coordinator levels. Freeze, known for his high-tempo, pass-heavy offenses, was working with a team that had been built for a more conservative, run-based attack in the years prior.
- Quarterback Play: One of the most significant challenges for Auburn this season was the performance of the quarterback position. Payton Thorne, the transfer quarterback from Michigan State, was brought in to lead the offense but failed to establish the level of consistency that Freeze had hoped for. While Thorne showed flashes of brilliance, particularly with his ability to move the ball downfield, his struggles with turnovers and decision-making held Auburn back on several occasions.
USA TODAY Sports acknowledged that while Thorne has potential, the inconsistency at quarterback hampered the offense’s growth. Freeze’s offense is predicated on a dual-threat quarterback who can make plays with both his arm and legs, and Thorne’s limitations at times made it difficult for the offense to truly take off.
- Running Game: Despite struggles at quarterback, the Tigers found some success with their running game. Jarquez Hunter continued to be a reliable piece in the backfield, and the offensive line showed improvement as the season progressed. However, the running game alone was not enough to offset the inconsistencies in the passing game. Auburn’s inability to fully balance the offense, at times, made them one-dimensional and easy to defend against.
2. Defensive Resilience Amidst Challenges
Defensively, Auburn showed flashes of the physicality and discipline the program is known for. Defensive coordinator Ron Roberts made strides in putting his stamp on the defense, particularly in terms of making the unit more aggressive and opportunistic. The Tigers’ defense was able to generate pressure up front and had a solid secondary that could hold its own against some of the SEC’s most explosive offenses.
- Defensive Line Play: Auburn’s defensive line showed significant improvement in 2024, with players like Jayson Jones and D.J. James making plays in the trenches. Their ability to disrupt the opposing quarterback and create negative plays was one of the more consistent aspects of the defense.
- Secondary Development: The secondary also made notable strides in 2024, led by Keionte Scott and Nehemiah Pritchett. The Tigers’ defensive backs were able to lock down wide receivers on several occasions, but they still struggled against elite passing attacks, as Auburn’s defense did not consistently get the push up front necessary to give their defensive backs more time to react.
USA TODAY Sports lauded Auburn’s defense for playing with toughness and resilience, but it also acknowledged that the unit had its share of breakdowns, particularly in key moments. Auburn’s inability to finish out games and contain opposing offenses in critical situations was a recurring theme.
3. Special Teams and Consistency
Auburn’s special teams were generally solid in 2024, but there were still a few miscues that stood out. Punting and kicking had their ups and downs, with Alex McPherson showing promise but struggling with consistency at times. Special teams play has often been a distinguishing factor for teams in the SEC, and for Auburn, it was clear that while there was talent, there needed to be more refinement in these crucial areas.
USA TODAY Sports noted that Auburn’s special teams didn’t make many game-changing plays, but they didn’t consistently hurt the team either. Still, improvements will be needed in this department if the Tigers are going to compete at a higher level in future seasons.
Auburn’s 2024 Record and Notable Wins
Auburn finished the 2024 season with a 7-5 record, which is a solid foundation given the circumstances of the season. While the Tigers were unable to break into the SEC Championship conversation, they showed enough promise to suggest that Hugh Freeze is building something with the program.
Some of Auburn’s standout performances included:
- A thrilling win over Ole Miss, a game in which Auburn’s defense played a crucial role in slowing down the high-powered Rebels offense.
- A dominant victory against Mississippi State, where the offense found a rhythm and the defense was stifling.
- A hard-fought battle against Georgia, despite a loss, showing the team’s competitiveness against one of the best teams in the country.
While Auburn had its share of losses, including tough defeats to teams like Alabama and LSU, the Tigers were able to hang with these elite programs for portions of the games, showing that the gap was closing.
The Future of Auburn Football
Looking forward, USA TODAY Sports is optimistic about Auburn’s future under Hugh Freeze. While the 2024 season had its fair share of growing pains, there were enough flashes of potential to suggest that the Tigers are on the right path.
Key areas for improvement in 2025 will include:
- Quarterback Play: Auburn’s ability to recruit or develop a more consistent quarterback will be crucial. Freeze’s offenses are built around dynamic, playmaking quarterbacks, and if the Tigers can find stability at the position, the offense should see a significant leap.
- Offensive Line Development: The offensive line must continue to grow and become a dominant force in both the running and passing games. For Auburn to succeed in the SEC, their line play must be better.
- Defense: The defense has the foundation to be one of the better units in the SEC, but Auburn must find a way to consistently finish games and defend against high-powered offenses in critical moments.
- Recruiting: Under Freeze, Auburn’s recruiting efforts are expected to pick up. The Tigers have already made strides in this department, and with the right players coming in, Auburn could return to SEC contention sooner rather than later.
Final Grade: B-
USA TODAY Sports awarded Auburn a final grade of B- for the 2024 season. This grade reflects the team’s solid foundation but also acknowledges that the Tigers’ performance was inconsistent at times, especially on offense. While Auburn showed promise under Freeze’s leadership, there were key areas, particularly at quarterback, where they need significant improvement.
The Tigers’ defense was a bright spot, and their ability to compete in the SEC bodes well for the future, but Auburn still has work to do to reach the level of elite programs in the conference. The future is bright for Hugh Freeze’s Auburn Tigers, and with continued development and solid recruiting, Auburn fans have reasons to be optimistic about the direction of their football program.