David Pollack Makes Bold Prediction About Auburn’s 2025 Season That Could Shake Up the SEC and National Expectations
Few voices in college football carry the weight and respect of former Georgia linebacker and longtime ESPN analyst David Pollack. Known for his candor, deep football insight, and SEC expertise, Pollack doesn’t hand out praise lightly — especially to programs still trying to re-establish themselves in the conference hierarchy. That’s why his recent comments about Auburn’s upcoming 2025 season sent shockwaves through fan circles and media outlets alike.
During a recent interview on a national podcast, Pollack didn’t just predict improvement for Hugh Freeze’s Tigers — he went a step further, boldly declaring Auburn as a dark horse to shake up the SEC standings and potentially make a run at a 10-win season. For a program that has experienced recent turbulence and is still in the middle of rebuilding its roster, Pollack’s statement came across as both surprising and daring.
“Auburn is a sleeping giant right now,” Pollack said. “With the talent they’ve assembled, the coaching they’ve got in place, and the way the schedule lines up, I think they could be one of the biggest surprises in college football this year. Don’t be shocked if we’re talking about them late in November as a legitimate contender.”
Coming from a former Bulldog — and one who’s made a career out of evaluating elite football programs — that’s not a statement to be taken lightly. But does it hold weight? And what exactly does Pollack see that others might be missing?
To fully appreciate the boldness of Pollack’s prediction, it’s important to examine where Auburn has been. Since the firing of Gus Malzahn in 2020, the Tigers have endured one of their most chaotic stretches in recent memory. Bryan Harsin’s ill-fated tenure left the program fractured, with recruiting momentum fading and player development stagnating. Auburn’s performance in the SEC West dipped, and the Tigers found themselves outclassed in games against Alabama, Georgia, LSU, and even emerging programs like Ole Miss and Texas A&M.
The arrival of Hugh Freeze in 2023 was seen as a reset — a coach with SEC experience, offensive innovation, and a reputation for recruiting. But his first year at the helm was an uneven one, as the team showed flashes of promise but struggled with depth and consistency. The 2024 season marked modest improvement, but many still viewed Auburn as at least a year away from contending.
That’s what makes Pollack’s assertion so compelling. He sees something in the 2025 Tigers that others may not — a team on the verge of a major leap.
Pollack’s analysis centers on three key areas: improved roster depth, upgraded quarterback play, and a defensive unit that could quietly become one of the SEC’s most disruptive.
Pollack made it clear that he believes the Tigers finally have a legitimate answer at quarterback — the first time in years Auburn can say that with certainty. While he didn’t specify who would win the job in fall camp, he expressed confidence in the overall QB room.
“You look at that group now — it’s not just a warm body under center,” Pollack said. “They’ve got talent, they’ve got arm strength, and now they’ve got coaching stability. That’s going to unlock this offense.”
Freeze has long been regarded as a quarterback-friendly coach, and with a full year to implement his system and build chemistry, the Tigers may finally have the consistency at the position they’ve lacked since Jarrett Stidham.
Pollack praised Auburn’s offensive line improvement through recruiting and the transfer portal, noting how critical it will be for both protection and establishing the run.
“They’re going to win games in the trenches this year,” he said. “That O-line was a weakness. Now it might be a strength.”
He also pointed to a deeper, more versatile receiver room, as well as dynamic running backs capable of making game-breaking plays. For a team that once relied almost exclusively on one or two offensive threats, that kind of depth changes everything.But it’s on defense where Pollack sees Auburn truly forging its identity.
“That defense has dogs,” he said. “They’ve got guys who can rush the passer, cover, and hit. It’s fast, it’s physical, and it’s mean.”
Pollack highlighted the return of veteran players, including key pieces in the secondary and along the defensive front, as well as a scheme under Ron Roberts that plays aggressive, turnover-hunting football. He mentioned that Auburn could have one of the best secondaries in the SEC — a sentiment echoed by others throughout the summer.
Another reason Pollack believes in Auburn’s rise? The 2025 schedule, while not easy, provides key opportunities.
The Tigers host Georgia, Texas A&M, and Kentucky at home — all winnable games with a strong home crowd. They travel to Alabama, but the rest of their road slate includes manageable matchups against Mississippi State, Missouri, and Arkansas. In Pollack’s view, if Auburn can split games with Georgia and Alabama, they could be in the conversation for a New Year’s Six bowl.
“You don’t have to go undefeated,” he said. “But if you beat Georgia at home and take care of business against the teams you’re supposed to beat, all of a sudden you’re 9–1 going into the Iron Bowl.”
Pollack also mentioned Hugh Freeze himself as the X-factor — a coach who thrives when he’s overlooked and counted out. Freeze’s track record includes signature wins against Alabama and back-to-back Top 10 seasons at Ole Miss. With his reputation, offensive mind, and now a deeper roster, Pollack believes this is the season where Freeze reminds everyone why he was brought to the Plains.
As expected, Pollack’s comments sparked both excitement and skepticism. Auburn fans, long hungry for a return to relevance, embraced the statement with cautious optimism. On fan forums and social media, phrases like “He sees what we’ve been saying” and “Finally getting respect” were echoed by many in the Tiger community.
But not everyone is sold. Critics argue that Auburn’s quarterback situation remains unresolved, that the team still lacks top-end talent to go toe-to-toe with Alabama and Georgia, and that a few transfers don’t erase years of roster erosion. Some pointed to last season’s inconsistencies as proof that the rebuild is still in progress.
Pollack, however, doubled down.
“You can’t measure heart, and that team’s got it,” he said. “They’ve been through the fire, and now they’re coming out the other side. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
If there’s one group that appreciated Pollack’s words the most, it’s the players themselves. While coaches tend to avoid media predictions, several Auburn athletes reportedly used the comments as extra motivation during summer workouts.
“We see it. We hear it,” said one veteran linebacker. “Someone outside the building finally sees what we’re building in here.”
Freeze has kept the team focused on the process, downplaying external expectations while emphasizing accountability, competition, and daily improvement. But there’s no denying that Pollack’s comments have added fuel to the fire.
This is no longer a team content with bowl eligibility. The standard has shifted.
Of course, predictions are just that — predictions. Auburn still has to navigate the SEC gauntlet, win close games, avoid key injuries, and find consistency at quarterback. Freeze and his staff know the path back to national contention isn’t paved overnight.
But Pollack’s confidence in Auburn has added a new dimension to how this team is perceived heading into the 2025 season. No longer simply a program in transition, Auburn is now being mentioned as a team with real upside — one that could crash the party in the SEC and perhaps beyond.
And for a program rich in tradition but starving for stability, that’s exactly the kind of momentum that could reshape its future.
Pollack concluded his segment with one last thought: “Every few years, someone comes out of nowhere and shakes up the college football world. My money’s on Auburn doing that in 2025.”
