After hiring a new coach and bringing in talented additions from the transfer portal, Auburn football appears to be heading in a positive direction in 2023.
Could the Tigers be in a great spot to contend with one of the nation’s best programs by week 12, though?
Recently, writers at Roll Tide Wire shared their thoughts on which program could pose the biggest threat to Alabama this upcoming season. Surprisingly, two of the site’s four writers chose Auburn.
Writer Stacey Blackwood says that Hugh Freeze’s history against Nick Saban could repeat itself.
“On the surface, this sounds odd, but playing on the Plains has haunted to the Tide over the years. Hugh Freeze has energized the Auburn program and let’s not forget Freeze has already upset Nick Saban twice while at Ole Miss. All of Alabama’s toughest competition is at home this season, but closing out 2023 in Jordan Hare will not be easy.”
Auburn has also won three of the last five Iron Bowls played at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Writer Sam Murphy used that fact as a reference when choosing the Tigers.
“Jordan Hare is never an easy outing for the Tide and you have to account for some bizarre, flukey moments happening at least once a matchup. I also think that Bryan Harsin to Hugh Freeze is a massive upgrade for the Tigers, and by Week 12 they will have sorted some things out.”
The Crimson Tide’s 2023 schedule features several challenging opponents such as Texas, Tennessee, and LSU. All three of those games, however, will be played at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa. If Auburn shows signs of improvement this season, they could easily be Alabama’s most challenging road opponent.
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