CBS Sports Issues Scathing Critique of Hugh Freeze and Auburn Tigers Ahead of 2025 Season, Sparking Controversy and Debate
CBS Sports has never shied away from tough criticism, and its recent analysis of the Auburn Tigers under head coach Hugh Freeze has sent shockwaves through the college football world — particularly across the state of Alabama, where football is king and program pride runs deep. With the 2025 college football season fast approaching, fans were hoping for optimism and national respect. Instead, they were met with a blistering review that questions not just Auburn’s readiness to contend in the SEC, but also the leadership of Freeze, his staff’s recruiting strategy, and the overall direction of the program.
The report in question, published as part of CBS Sports’ preseason power rankings and analysis series, placed Auburn outside the top 25, citing “inconsistency, underachievement, and lingering questions about coaching direction.” But it was not the ranking itself that sparked widespread reaction. It was the language used throughout the article — at times blunt, at others nearly dismissive — that has set off a firestorm among Auburn fans and drawn the attention of college football media across the nation.
The critique opened by describing Auburn as a “program trapped in perpetual transition,” a harsh indictment of the Tigers’ struggles to find stability since the end of the Gus Malzahn era. While Hugh Freeze was brought in to restore competitiveness, the CBS report claims that the early returns have been underwhelming. The article pointed to Auburn’s inability to consistently beat top-tier competition, calling out last season’s performance against major SEC rivals like Alabama, Georgia, and LSU as examples of the program falling short when it matters most.
CBS didn’t stop there. The analysis went on to question Freeze’s player development and decision-making in key games, suggesting that the Tigers’ offensive identity remains muddled and the quarterback situation uncertain. Despite adding talent via the transfer portal and landing some impressive high school recruits, the report emphasized that Auburn has yet to prove it can put those pieces together into a coherent, high-functioning product on the field.
One particularly biting paragraph focused on Auburn’s recruiting strategy, claiming that “flashy announcements and social media buzz do not equate to wins on Saturdays.” The article argued that while Auburn continues to generate headlines during recruiting season, those successes have not yet translated into meaningful progress on the field. The writer highlighted a trend of transfers struggling to adapt, underclassmen failing to develop as expected, and veterans not showing the leadership required to lift the program out of the SEC’s middle tier.
Freeze himself was a central figure in the CBS takedown. While acknowledging his past success at Ole Miss, the article characterized his time at Auburn thus far as “uneven and marked by questionable personnel decisions.” The critique pointed to frequent staff changes, inconsistent quarterback play, and a lack of offensive creativity as major red flags. According to the report, “Freeze’s offensive pedigree has yet to materialize in tangible improvements, raising the question of whether his system can thrive against elite SEC defenses in the current era.”
To many Auburn fans, the article felt like a hit piece — too harsh, too early, and lacking proper context. After all, Freeze has only been on the job for a short time, and the program he inherited had issues ranging from roster depth to culture. Turning around a program in the SEC, arguably the toughest conference in college football, takes time and patience. Auburn supporters took to message boards, social media, and local radio shows to voice their frustration with CBS Sports, defending their head coach and calling the critique unfairly negative.
Some fans even questioned the timing of the article, wondering if the national media is setting a narrative before the season begins — one that paints Auburn as a program in disarray, regardless of what actually transpires on the field. Freeze, for his part, has yet to respond publicly to the CBS piece, but sources close to the program say he is using the criticism as motivation. Internally, the message has reportedly been simple: let our play do the talking.
Still, the article did highlight real concerns, and ignoring them entirely would be a mistake. Auburn’s quarterback play last season was indeed inconsistent, and the offensive line had its share of struggles. The Tigers were unable to close out games against top teams and suffered from stretches of poor execution and discipline. These are issues that need fixing — and quickly — if Auburn wants to compete with the likes of Alabama, Georgia, and Texas in the newly expanded SEC.
What CBS may have overlooked, however, is the work being done behind the scenes to build a foundation for long-term success. Auburn has invested heavily in facilities, upgraded its support staff, and revamped its recruiting operations. The addition of experienced personnel, including a former NFL executive, signals a shift toward a more professional and analytical approach to roster building. These are not flashy moves, but they are crucial for sustained success in modern college football.
Moreover, Freeze has been aggressive in using the transfer portal to plug immediate needs while still focusing on high school recruiting for long-term growth. The 2025 class, while not yet finalized, is shaping up to be one of Auburn’s best in recent memory. Skill position players are committing, the offensive line is getting bolstered, and the defensive side of the ball has seen encouraging signs of depth and talent. If these additions pan out, Auburn could surprise national pundits and outperform preseason expectations.
It’s also worth remembering that media narratives can shift quickly. Last year, teams like Missouri and Arizona were overlooked in preseason projections but went on to exceed expectations and climb the national rankings. If Auburn comes out strong in its early matchups — especially the non-conference games — it could set the tone for a turnaround season and force outlets like CBS Sports to revise their assessments. Winning, as always, is the best way to silence critics.
Within the program, there is a quiet belief that 2025 could be a breakthrough year. The schedule is difficult, yes, but it’s also filled with opportunities. Beating a top-10 team at home, pulling off a road upset, or simply playing consistent, disciplined football each week could flip the entire narrative. Freeze’s teams have historically improved in their second or third years, once his culture takes hold and players understand their roles.
The backlash to the CBS article also highlights a broader reality in college football today: media narratives carry weight, but they don’t always tell the whole story. Fans are smarter, more informed, and more connected to the inner workings of their programs than ever before. While national analysts provide valuable insight, they often lack the context that comes from being around a team daily. Local media, former players, and fans themselves can see growth and potential where outsiders might only see stats and scores.
That said, the CBS Sports critique could end up being a gift in disguise for Auburn. Bulletin board material, especially when delivered with such sting, has a way of galvanizing teams. Players take note. Coaches circle games on the calendar. A program under scrutiny either buckles under the pressure or responds with resilience. If Auburn chooses the latter, this preseason slight could be a pivotal chapter in the program’s comeback story.
As the season approaches, all the speculation will fade and the games will begin. Auburn has an opportunity to prove CBS — and any other doubters — wrong. Freeze has the talent, the facilities, and the fan support to build a winner. But as the article reminded everyone, college football is a results-based business. The Tigers now have the challenge of turning potential into performance and noise into results.
If they do, CBS Sports may find itself issuing a very different kind of article by season’s end — one that credits Auburn for rising above the noise and delivering on the promise of its proud tradition. Until then, the pressure is on, and the clock is ticking. Auburn football has been called out. Now, it’s their turn to respond.
