College Football Insider Brutally Compares Hugh Freeze’s Auburn Program Momentum to the Titanic Ahead of Make-or-Break 2025 Season

When Hugh Freeze arrived on the Plains in 2023, Auburn fans hoped his recruiting prowess and offensive mind would reignite a proud football tradition desperate to return to national relevance. Two years later, with an underwhelming 11-14 record and no bowl appearance in 2024, the optimism surrounding Freeze’s tenure has begun to erode—and now, national analysts are joining the growing chorus of critics.

The latest blow came from SEC insider Michael Bratton, who didn’t hold back when evaluating Freeze’s Auburn program during a June 28, 2025 appearance on The Paul Finebaum Show. Bratton, known for his candid assessments of SEC football, delivered a biting metaphor that quickly caught fire among fans and media alike.

“His football program has about as much momentum as the Titanic,” Bratton remarked, referencing the infamous ship’s ill-fated voyage that ended in disaster.

The Titanic comparison may seem harsh, but for many within the college football world, it reflects growing frustration with Freeze’s inability to translate recruiting wins into on-field success. While Auburn secured consecutive top-10 recruiting classes in 2024 and 2025, including landing highly touted quarterback Jackson Arnold, the Tigers’ 2024 campaign ended in bitter disappointment. A 5-7 finish, marked by inconsistent quarterback play, a porous defense, and an inability to close out close games, fueled doubts about Freeze’s long-term viability as Auburn’s leader.

Bratton’s critique extended beyond the win-loss column. He highlighted what he perceived as misplaced priorities from Freeze this offseason, citing reports that the Tigers’ head coach logged an eye-catching 11 rounds of golf in June alone. Those leisurely outings coincided with two high-profile decommitments from Auburn’s 2026 class, including blue-chip defensive back Daquan Rivers and elite pass rusher Tyson Baker—both of whom flipped to SEC rivals.

“To me, it feels like Hugh Freeze is more concerned with his golf swing than fixing Auburn football,” Bratton said. “At some point, you have to win games. Recruiting rankings look great on paper, but fans want wins—and right now, Auburn’s not delivering.”

Auburn supporters haven’t been shy about expressing similar frustrations on social media. On X (formerly Twitter), one fan’s post calling Freeze “a top recruiter but can’t coach” went viral, encapsulating the uneasy mood on the Plains heading into the 2025 season.

Freeze, for his part, has largely brushed off the criticism, doubling down on his belief that building a championship-caliber program takes time and patience. “We’re laying the foundation,” Freeze told reporters during SEC spring meetings. “It doesn’t happen overnight. I get that people want instant success, but we’re building something sustainable.”

Still, patience is running thin in Auburn, especially with the Tigers set to open the 2025 season in a high-stakes matchup against Big 12 power Baylor. A loss in that opener could intensify scrutiny on Freeze, whose tenure thus far mirrors the turbulent cycles Auburn football has endured over the past decade.

Freeze’s arrival at Auburn came with considerable baggage but also immense potential. His previous success at Ole Miss, where he upset Alabama twice and assembled elite recruiting classes, suggested he could thrive in the SEC’s most pressure-packed environments. Yet, his tenure at Liberty and subsequent return to the SEC came with questions about whether he could adapt to the evolving landscape of NIL, the transfer portal, and increasingly impatient fan bases.

In recruiting, Freeze has undeniably delivered. Auburn’s 2024 and 2025 classes both ranked among the nation’s top 10, buoyed by headline signings like Jackson Arnold, offensive tackle Mason Wallace, and linebacker Keon Blair. These commitments signaled that Freeze could go head-to-head with the likes of Alabama, Georgia, and LSU on the recruiting trail—a critical factor for Auburn’s long-term competitiveness.

However, those recruiting wins have yet to translate into tangible success on Saturdays. Auburn’s 2024 season unraveled quickly after early losses to Penn State and Texas A&M. The Tigers struggled mightily in SEC play, dropping winnable games to Arkansas and Kentucky, and suffering a demoralizing Iron Bowl defeat to rival Alabama. Finishing 5-7 with no bowl invitation sparked familiar unrest among Auburn faithful, who expect their program to contend nationally—not merely survive in the SEC.

Making matters worse for Freeze, Kentucky—long considered a basketball school—has leapfrogged Auburn in the early 2026 recruiting rankings. Under head coach Mark Stoops, the Wildcats have capitalized on Auburn’s instability, landing several top targets from the Southeast, including former Auburn lean Cameron Douglas, a dynamic four-star receiver.

“Imagine telling Auburn fans two years ago they’d be trailing Kentucky in football recruiting,” Bratton said during his Finebaum appearance. “That’s the reality right now. And unless Freeze turns it around quickly, it’s only going to get worse.”

The timing of Bratton’s Titanic comparison couldn’t be more ominous for Freeze. Auburn’s 2025 schedule is unforgiving, featuring road trips to Georgia and Alabama, as well as pivotal home games against LSU, Texas, and Texas A&M. The season opener against Baylor looms large, with many viewing it as a referendum on Freeze’s leadership. A win would provide a much-needed morale boost and signal progress. A loss could deepen doubts and place Freeze firmly on the hot seat.

In fairness to Freeze, building a consistent winner in today’s SEC is a daunting challenge. The conference’s expansion to include Texas and Oklahoma has only heightened the competition, while NIL deals and the transfer portal have created unprecedented roster volatility. Even programs with elite recruiting classes face immense pressure to produce immediate results.

Yet, for Auburn fans accustomed to national championship aspirations, patience is wearing thin. The memories of 2010’s title run and 2013’s near-miss in the BCS Championship remain fresh, as does the expectation that Auburn should regularly compete with the SEC’s elite. Freeze’s current trajectory, however, suggests a program stuck in neutral—strong in recruiting headlines, weak in win columns.

Bratton’s Titanic analogy, while biting, reflects a growing sentiment among both national observers and Auburn insiders. Without significant improvement in 2025, Freeze risks joining the ranks of recent Auburn coaches unable to navigate the program’s treacherous waters.

The next few months will be pivotal. Auburn’s performance in fall camp, the development of Jackson Arnold, and early-season results will determine whether Freeze can steady the ship—or whether his program, like the Titanic, is destined to sink under the weight of unmet expectations.

For Hugh Freeze, the time for excuses is over. Wins are the only currency that matters now. And as the 2025 season approaches, the pressure to deliver has never been higher.