Josh Pate of CBS Sports is optimistic about Jackson Arnold and the “sneaky” Auburn Tigers.

When Josh Pate speaks, college football fans listen. The host of CBS Sports’ popular show Late Kick Live and one of the most respected voices in the sport, Pate has become known for his sharp analysis and willingness to go against the grain. And recently, he’s turned heads with his bullish takes on two significant SEC storylines: Oklahoma quarterback Jackson Arnold and the rapidly rising Auburn Tigers.

As spring practices wind down and the college football world starts to get a clearer picture of what lies ahead in the 2025 season, Pate’s insights carry real weight. In a conference where expectations are sky-high and every mistake is magnified, his stamp of approval for these two programs could foreshadow surprising success.

Let’s break down what’s behind Pate’s confidence in Arnold and the Tigers — and why both may be poised to exceed expectations this fall.

The Arnold Ascension

For Oklahoma fans, Jackson Arnold is more than a name — he’s a promise. The former five-star quarterback and Gatorade National Player of the Year has long been viewed as the heir to Dillon Gabriel, who transferred to Oregon following the 2024 season. With Arnold now stepping into the starting role, many expect some growing pains.

But not Josh Pate.

“Jackson Arnold is ready. He has the tools, he has the system, and now he has the keys,” Pate said during a recent Late Kick Live segment. “A lot of young quarterbacks show flashes but aren’t ready to lead a team. Arnold is different. The maturity is there, the arm talent is undeniable, and the confidence in the building is sky-high.”

Indeed, those close to the Oklahoma program have been effusive in their praise for Arnold this spring. His command of Jeff Lebby’s offense — retained and adapted even after Brent Venables’ reshuffling of the staff — has been noticeable. Insiders say his timing with the wide receivers has improved dramatically, and his mobility gives the Sooners a dimension they didn’t fully utilize with Gabriel under center.

Pate was especially encouraged by Arnold’s performance in high-leverage reps during Oklahoma’s spring scrimmages. “The ball placement, the poise — it’s all there. You’re not just seeing talent, you’re seeing a quarterback who understands what winning football looks like,” Pate said.

And with Oklahoma transitioning to the SEC in 2025, the timing couldn’t be more important. The Sooners open their conference slate against Alabama in Week 3, and they’ll need Arnold to grow up quickly if they’re going to compete in a gauntlet that includes Georgia, LSU, and Texas.

Why Pate Believes in the “Sneaky” Tigers

While Arnold is a flashy storyline with five-star pedigree, Pate’s belief in Auburn is a bit more nuanced — and potentially even more intriguing.

“People keep sleeping on Auburn,” Pate said. “But Hugh Freeze has been quietly building a monster. You look at the trenches, you look at the backfield, and then you see the portal moves — this is a team that’s going to punch a lot of folks in the mouth this fall.”

Auburn went 8-5 in 2024, Freeze’s first full season, capped by a Birmingham Bowl win over NC State. It wasn’t a record-breaking year, but it was a foundation. The Tigers played Georgia tough, nearly upset Alabama in the Iron Bowl, and finally showed signs of life after years of inconsistency under Bryan Harsin.

What makes Auburn so “sneaky” in 2025, in Pate’s eyes, is the convergence of roster growth and strategic stability.

“The offensive line looks as good as I’ve seen it at Auburn in a decade,” Pate said. “And people need to start paying attention to Payton Thorne. He’s not winning a Heisman, but he doesn’t have to. Freeze isn’t asking him to carry the team — he’s asking him to distribute, to manage, and to let the playmakers do the heavy lifting.”

Auburn’s offense should indeed benefit from a stable system and a maturing Thorne. With rising sophomore Jeremiah Cobb in the backfield and a deep, experienced receiving corps led by Camden Brown and transfer speedster Jahmal Banks from Wake Forest, there are explosive elements in place.

On defense, Pate pointed to the linebacker unit and the influx of veteran defensive backs from the portal as key difference-makers. “Ron Roberts is dialing it up defensively,” he said. “They’ve got versatility, they’ve got speed, and they’re going to take the ball away.”

Schedule Sets the Stage

One reason for Pate’s optimism on both fronts is the schedule. While neither Oklahoma nor Auburn has a cakewalk ahead, both teams have pivotal early-season games that could vault them into national relevance — or sink them back into obscurity.

For Oklahoma, everything builds to that Week 3 clash with Alabama. A win in Norman would not only announce Jackson Arnold’s arrival — it could launch the Sooners into the Playoff conversation early. Their SEC slate is brutal, but with no Georgia or LSU in the regular season, the path to ten wins is plausible if Arnold plays to his potential.

Auburn’s schedule is similarly loaded with opportunities. They get Texas A&M and Arkansas at home, draw Florida and Kentucky from the East, and have Georgia at Jordan-Hare early in the year. If Freeze’s squad can steal a win against one of the conference’s heavyweights and take care of business against the middle tier, the Tigers could be in the mix for a New Year’s Six bowl — or better.

“September will tell the story for both of these teams,” Pate said. “But what I’m seeing tells me they’re both going to be ready.”

Recruiting and Culture Shifts

Another reason for Pate’s optimism is the long-term vision he sees at both programs.

“Oklahoma and Auburn aren’t just building for this year — they’re setting the tone for the next five,” he said. “Look at the recruiting classes. Look at the culture. Freeze is doing what Kirby Smart did early on — setting standards. And Venables is finally starting to bring his vision to life.”

Auburn’s 2025 class currently ranks in the top 10, and their recent success in the transfer portal has plugged gaps while allowing young talent to develop. The Tigers have focused on size and speed, particularly along the offensive and defensive lines, and those moves are already paying dividends.

At Oklahoma, the buzz is that Venables and his staff have built a locker room with a new edge. After a disappointing first year in 2022, and a bounce back in 2023, the program seems to have rediscovered its swagger — with Arnold as the poster boy for that revival.

National Implications

If both Oklahoma and Auburn exceed expectations, the national implications could be massive. The SEC would not only see its power balance shift — with traditional contenders like Alabama and LSU being pushed by new threats — but the College Football Playoff race could be turned upside down.

Josh Pate doesn’t see either program as a surefire Playoff team — yet. But he does think both could be knocking on the door by November.

“You want to talk about chaos? Imagine an Auburn team that’s 9-1 heading into the Iron Bowl, or an Oklahoma team that’s beaten Alabama and is 7-0 in the SEC,” Pate said. “It’s possible. And that’s why I’m paying close attention now.”

There’s still a long way to go before toe meets leather this fall, and spring optimism can often fade under the heat of real competition. But when Josh Pate zeroes in on a team — or a player — it usually means something.

In Jackson Arnold, he sees a quarterback ready for the bright lights of SEC football. In Auburn, he sees a team ready to shock the conference from the shadows.

Time will tell if his predictions come to pass. But one thing’s for sure — the college football world will be watching.

As Pate put it best: “You don’t have to be the favorite to be dangerous. And both Oklahoma and Auburn? They’re going to be very dangerous.”