Hugh Freeze’s 0-4 Record Against Alabama and Georgia Highlights the Steep Climb Auburn Faces to Regain SEC Supremacy
When Hugh Freeze took over as head coach of the Auburn Tigers in late 2022, expectations were understandably high. His reputation as an offensive innovator and his prior success in the Southeastern Conference—most notably with Ole Miss—gave fans hope that Auburn could once again contend with the elite programs in the league. But two years into the Freeze era, one glaring statistic casts a long shadow over his tenure: a 0-4 record against Alabama and Georgia.
In the SEC, no games are more defining than the Iron Bowl and the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry. Auburn’s historical success has always been tied closely to its ability to hold its own against its two biggest rivals. Legendary Auburn teams didn’t just win—they beat Alabama and Georgia along the way. For Freeze, the inability to notch a win against either powerhouse thus far is more than a blemish. It’s a stark reminder of how far Auburn still must go to return to championship contention.
Freeze’s four losses to Alabama and Georgia haven’t all been blowouts, but none have ended in victory either. In 2023, Auburn hosted both the Bulldogs and the Crimson Tide. The Georgia game was a closely contested battle at Jordan-Hare Stadium. The Tigers led for most of the afternoon behind a strong defensive effort and a creative offensive game plan. But in the fourth quarter, Georgia quarterback Carson Beck found Brock Bowers for a late touchdown that sealed a 27-20 Bulldogs win.
That game felt like a missed opportunity for Freeze and his staff. Georgia looked beatable, but Auburn couldn’t finish. The Tigers struggled to execute in crunch time—a theme that would recur throughout the 2023 season. While the loss was frustrating, it at least showed that Auburn could hang with an elite opponent when playing at home with intensity and discipline.
Then came the 2023 Iron Bowl, another heartbreaker. Auburn again had the lead late in the fourth quarter, this time thanks to a dominant running game and a raucous home crowd. But a late defensive breakdown allowed Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe to find Isaiah Bond in the back of the end zone on 4th and 31—a play that immediately went down in Iron Bowl lore as the “Gravedigger.” Auburn lost 27-24, and Freeze’s 0-2 record against the big two was cemented.
While both of those 2023 games were competitive, the 2024 versions were not. Auburn traveled to Athens and Tuscaloosa, facing both rivals on the road. The trip to Georgia was especially humbling, as the Tigers were overwhelmed from the start. Beck shredded the secondary, the offensive line couldn’t hold up against Georgia’s front seven, and the game was essentially over by halftime. Georgia cruised to a 38-10 win, and Freeze acknowledged afterward that Auburn “wasn’t close” to competing on that level yet.
The Iron Bowl in 2024 offered little reprieve. Auburn’s offense, with quarterback uncertainty and shaky line play, failed to score a touchdown until garbage time. Alabama, meanwhile, flexed its talent and depth, pulling away in the second half for a 31-13 victory. Freeze’s Tigers never looked comfortable in Bryant-Denny Stadium, and the talent gap was once again glaring.
So now, with two full seasons in the books and four rivalry games lost, Freeze faces growing pressure to flip the script in 2025. He’s been praised for his recruiting, his work in the transfer portal, and his effort to reshape Auburn’s culture. But in the SEC, praise only goes so far. Victories—especially against Alabama and Georgia—are what build legacies and buy long-term goodwill.
To Freeze’s credit, he hasn’t dodged the criticism. He’s been candid in acknowledging the importance of the Georgia and Alabama games, calling them “benchmark matchups” that determine whether Auburn is where it needs to be. In interviews during SEC Media Days, Freeze emphasized the need to close the gap—both schematically and talent-wise.
“You can’t talk your way into beating those programs,” Freeze said. “You’ve got to recruit like them, develop like them, and execute like them. We’re still building toward that.”
Recruiting is, indeed, a critical part of the equation. Georgia and Alabama have consistently ranked among the top three nationally in recruiting over the past five years. Auburn, while improving under Freeze, still has work to do to catch up in terms of roster depth and overall talent. Freeze’s 2025 class is shaping up to be his best yet, with key commitments at quarterback, offensive line, and defensive back. But even with a strong class, true freshmen rarely swing outcomes against seasoned SEC juggernauts.
That’s why Freeze and his staff have leaned on the transfer portal to fill immediate gaps. The addition of quarterback Jackson Arnold from Oklahoma, multiple Power Five offensive linemen, and experienced defenders gives Auburn a better chance to compete this fall. But it remains to be seen whether those pieces will gel quickly enough to challenge Alabama and Georgia in 2025.
The road ahead won’t be easy. Auburn hosts Georgia in Jordan-Hare this season, and while that’s typically a favorable setup, the Bulldogs have won seven of the last eight in the rivalry and bring back another elite defense. Freeze will need a near-flawless performance to pull the upset. The Iron Bowl, set for Tuscaloosa, presents an even tougher task. Alabama has not lost at home to Auburn since 2010—the same year Cam Newton led the Tigers to a national title.
To win either game, Freeze must accomplish several things this fall. First, he must solidify the quarterback position. If Jackson Arnold can live up to the hype, Auburn will finally have a signal-caller who can stretch the field and punish opposing defenses. Second, the offensive line must be better—far better—than it has been in the past two seasons. Too often, Auburn’s offense has been hamstrung by pressure up the middle and an inability to sustain drives.
Defensively, the Tigers need more playmakers. The secondary must improve its coverage discipline, and the front seven must generate pressure without blitzing on every down. Georgia and Alabama are too smart and too well-coached to fall victim to simplistic schemes. Auburn must show versatility and aggression without giving up chunk plays in the process.
Perhaps most importantly, Freeze must help his team believe it can win those games. So far, Auburn has entered rivalry matchups with energy and emotion, but not always with the composure and belief necessary to finish. Culture is key here—and it’s something Freeze is still molding. He’s spoken at length about accountability, preparation, and doing “the little things right.” Those habits must translate to Saturdays, especially in the fourth quarter against top-tier opponents.
Despite the 0-4 record, Freeze remains committed to the long-term vision. He understands that success at Auburn will ultimately be judged by what he does in the Iron Bowl and against Georgia. And while some fans are growing impatient, many still believe he’s the right coach to lead the turnaround.
After all, Freeze is one of the few active coaches who has beaten Nick Saban multiple times—doing so in 2014 and 2015 while at Ole Miss. He knows what it takes, even if the blueprint hasn’t quite translated at Auburn yet.
The 2025 season may be his best opportunity to change that narrative. With upgraded talent, another year in his system, and growing buy-in from his players, Freeze could finally notch a signature win that signals Auburn is truly back in the SEC mix. But if the losing streak against Alabama and Georgia continues, the questions will only grow louder.
Is Freeze the coach to close the gap? Or will the Tigers continue to fall short against their most bitter rivals?
Those answers will come soon enough. But one thing is clear: Auburn’s trajectory under Hugh Freeze won’t be defined by how many games he wins against Vanderbilt or Mississippi State. It will be defined by what he does against Georgia and Alabama—because on the Plains, those are the games that matter most.
