Auburn University, steeped in rich athletic tradition and home to some of the most passionate fans in college sports, has once again found itself in a familiar position—overlooked. In the latest release of ESPN’s college football Top 25 rankings, the Auburn Tigers were nowhere to be found. Despite a strong offseason, key returning players, and a coaching staff intent on building a winner in the SEC, the Tigers were ignored entirely in what many fans and analysts are calling a snub that borders on disrespect.
The absence of Auburn from ESPN’s rankings has raised eyebrows not just on the Plains but across the college football landscape. This isn’t the first time the Tigers have been slighted, but the timing of this omission is particularly curious. With other programs being praised for potential alone, Auburn is being punished for something far less tangible—perhaps their past inconsistencies, or maybe just a perception that they aren’t quite “there yet.” Either way, the exclusion speaks volumes about the national media’s skepticism of what’s quietly brewing in Auburn, Alabama.
Let’s make one thing clear: Auburn is not in rebuild mode. This is a program on the rise. Head coach Hugh Freeze has been aggressive in retooling the roster, bolstering recruiting, and implementing a culture that emphasizes physicality, toughness, and accountability. The Tigers ended last season showing flashes of progress, competing with top-tier SEC opponents and demonstrating the kind of resilience Freeze has been known for. There were moments—albeit inconsistent—where Auburn looked like a team ready to turn the corner. Now, with another year under this coaching staff and a deeper, more experienced roster, the expectations internally are sky-high.
But those expectations, it seems, haven’t translated to national credibility. ESPN’s decision to leave Auburn out of its Top 25 has understandably ignited frustration among the fan base. For a program that has won a national championship in the last 15 years, appeared in another title game, and routinely pulls in top-tier recruiting classes, this kind of disregard feels personal. Meanwhile, teams with similar records and fewer resources found themselves sneaking into the final spots of the poll. It’s worth questioning what criteria ESPN is using to justify these rankings. Is it based on talent? Recent trajectory? Strength of schedule? Because by nearly every metric, Auburn deserves more serious consideration.
A deeper dive into Auburn’s roster heading into the 2025 season reveals why the omission is baffling. Quarterback play—an Achilles’ heel in recent seasons—finally looks stabilized. The Tigers have depth and versatility in the backfield, led by a group of explosive, SEC-tested runners who can take over games. The offensive line, a consistent pain point in past years, has improved dramatically thanks to transfers and development from within. On defense, Auburn is anchored by a physical front and a linebacker corps that can fly to the football. Add to that a revamped secondary with both experience and NFL-caliber talent, and you have the makings of a defense that can hang with any unit in the SEC.
One of the primary arguments against Auburn might be the gauntlet that is their schedule. But if strength of schedule is being used against them, it should equally be seen as a sign of opportunity. In a league where iron sharpens iron, surviving the SEC is a badge of honor. Auburn doesn’t shy away from competition; they embrace it. With key games against the likes of Alabama, Georgia, LSU, and Texas A\&M, the Tigers will have every chance to prove the doubters wrong on the field. Unlike some programs that benefit from weaker conference play or cupcake non-conference schedules, Auburn’s road is always brutal—and that’s exactly why they should be respected more, not less.
Then there’s the intangible factor of hunger. Auburn players and coaches are aware of the narrative. They know they’ve been doubted, disrespected, and disregarded. And they’re using that as fuel. Ask any coach and they’ll tell you: nothing is more dangerous than a talented team with something to prove. This Auburn squad isn’t asking for handouts. They’re not begging for attention. But they are ready to earn every bit of respect that the national media seems so hesitant to give them.
Hugh Freeze, for his part, hasn’t been shy about the expectations. In his recent media availability, he spoke about building a program that doesn’t just compete—but wins championships. Freeze, who’s known for his ability to turn programs around, sees Auburn as a sleeping giant. And it’s hard to disagree. With world-class facilities, a fertile recruiting base, and a fan base that lives and breathes football, the foundation is already there. What Auburn needs is consistency and a chance to show their growth without being boxed into last season’s narratives.
That’s why the ESPN snub stings. It perpetuates the idea that Auburn is somehow irrelevant, that they don’t belong in the conversation with the nation’s elite. But anyone who’s watched the trajectory of this program knows better. From player development to recruiting momentum, the signs of a resurgence are all around. The Tigers have quietly put together a roster capable of surprising a lot of people—and with the way the schedule is structured, it won’t take long for the nation to take notice once the season kicks off.
Critics will argue that preseason rankings don’t matter—and on some level, they’re right. Games are played on the field, not on paper. But make no mistake: these rankings do shape perception. They impact national coverage, influence polls throughout the year, and affect everything from bowl positioning to recruiting optics. Being in the preseason Top 25 sends a message to recruits and fans alike that your program is viewed as a legitimate contender. Being left out—especially when lesser teams are included—sends the opposite message. And in today’s media-driven college football world, perception is currency.
That’s why Auburn fans are taking this personally. This isn’t just about a number next to their team’s name—it’s about respect. It’s about being recognized for the progress made and the potential that lies ahead. It’s about not being cast aside while other programs with less to show are hoisted up as preseason darlings.
If history has taught us anything, it’s that Auburn thrives in moments like these. When the world counts them out, they find a way to roar back. From Cam Newton’s miracle run to the Kick Six to the countless underdog stories written on fall Saturdays inside Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn has built a legacy on defying expectations. The current team, fueled by that same underdog spirit, has every intention of adding a new chapter to that legacy.
In many ways, this snub might be exactly what Auburn needs. A rallying cry. A bulletin board reminder. A wake-up call not for the team—but for the rest of the country. Because come September, when the Tigers take the field, they won’t be looking for validation from ESPN or anyone else. They’ll be looking to dominate—and force the conversation that ESPN tried to ignore.
So go ahead and leave Auburn out. Let the rankings come out without a trace of orange and blue. Let the pundits focus on the same safe bets and legacy programs. Because while they’re busy overlooking, Auburn is busy preparing. Focused. Motivated. And ready to shock the world.
The truth is, Auburn doesn’t need ESPN’s Top 25 to define them. They’ve got something better—a team full of warriors, a fan base that refuses to be silenced, and a tradition of rising when others least expect it. The disrespect might sting now, but it could very well be the spark that ignites a season to remember. And when the final whistle blows on the 2025 season, don’t be surprised if those same ESPN analysts are left scrambling to explain how they missed the warning signs. Because Auburn didn’t go anywhere—they were just waiting for the right moment to remind everyone exactly who they are.
