The Auburn offense was particularly lackluster in the 2023 season, and a disastrous year left many scratching their heads on what is to come.
At SEC Media Days, many conference foes made comments on how electrifying the atmosphere inside Jordan-Hare Stadium is. Typically that energy propels the offense to success, but as people saw last year, that was not always the case.
While in Dallas, ESPN/SEC Network analyst and former Tigers offensive lineman Cole Cubelic spoke to Paul Finebaum on how he thinks that offense will be better in year two under head coach [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag].
Cubelic believes that for second-year quarterback [autotag]Payton Thorne[/autotag], there will be a lot more time in the pocket due to a strengthened interior on the offensive line, a position that has been a large weakness at Auburn for a while.
He also points toward senior running back [autotag]Jarquez Hunter[/autotag] as a reason to be optimistic, thinking this will be a breakout year that will have him turning many heads.
“How many people have asked you about Jarquez Hunter in the last 48 hours?” Cubelic asked Finebaum. “Nobody is talking about him. He’s the most proven back in this league. I think you could make the argument he’s the best running back in the SEC right now.”
Cubelic claims that with these improved portions of the offense, the Tigers have the chance to cause some havoc against opposing defense, keeping them on their toes schematically and giving Thorne time to make plays.
“So let’s say middle three, Jarquez Hunter is pretty good, they (Auburn) can run the ball. Well, what do you (the defense) have to do?” Cubelic said. “You have to take your alley defenders, your safeties, add an extra linebacker — you play the run. Well, that’s going to bump coverage off of you or give you less numbers in coverage where Payton Thorne is not going to have as difficult of a time completing passes.”
Thorne was the league’s least efficient passer last season and now hopes to make in impact in his final season of eligibility to help Auburn on its road back to prominence in college football.
These statements will truly be put to the test when the Tigers begin SEC play against the Arkansas Razorbacks on Sept. 21, but will start to show when they open up against the Alabama A&M Bulldogs on Aug. 31 at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
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