Auburn football is looking to win more than six games for the first time since 2019 this season, and the only thing that is keeping that from being a sure thing is quarterback play according to college football experts.
Auburn quarterback [autotag]Payton Thorne[/autotag] has caught plenty of flak this offseason after passing for just 1,755 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2023. This season, Thorne will have plenty of weapons to choose from thanks to a revamped wide receiver room, an experienced offensive line, and a solid stable of backs. Thorne’s teammates have also routinely spoken about his improvement throughout the offseason, so it is easy to assume that Thorne will enter the season with more confidence.
Those outside Auburn’s camp are not so quick to say he will improve upon last year’s stats.
Anonymous coaches recently shared their thoughts on college football’s top quarterbacks, including Thorne. This unidentified coach not only doubts Thorne’s playmaking ability but also questions [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag]’s decision not to pursue another option within the transfer portal.
“I don’t know that they’ve actually got an answer. The only way you don’t go to the portal is if you think, ‘OK, I’ve got a freshman who’s going to take over and be the guy.’ And I don’t think they’ve got that, either.”
Thorne’s best season took place in 2021 at Michigan State when he passed for 3,232 yards and 27 touchdowns. Thorne, as well as everyone in Auburn, hopes to see Thorne reach those numbers again this season. Will Thorne prove his doubters wrong?
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