Auburn Wire writers share final thoughts ahead of Saturday's A-Day game

USA Today

11-04-2025

Auburn Wire writers share final thoughts ahead of Saturday's A-Day game Auburn Wire writers share their thoughts on the new format, quarterbacks, and projected win totals ahead of Saturday's A-Day game.
Auburn football will hold its annual spring game, otherwise known as A-Day, on Saturday at noon CT at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
This year's format will be much different from years past. Normally, A-Day would consist of an intrasquad scrimmage. However, Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze explains that the usual format does not fit this era of college football. He explained what fans can expect to see during his Thursday press conference.
'I hope (the fans) are not disappointed. I don't think it's wise for us to go out there and beat each other up. We're already kind of banged up. It'll be a normal practice like today, truthfully, if you got to see today. There will be some indo, skelly, and then our young guys will have a little live period and then we're going to end with what we call redzone lockout, which will be a live period. First one to 18 wins. Offense gets the ball on the 25, you score a touchdown with an extra point, that's seven. The defense stops you and you kick a field goal, that's three points for the offense and four points for the defense. Miss the field goal, the defense gets seven or a stop somehow or turnover, they get seven. The first one to 18 wins that, and then end with an overtime period where we practice the overtime stuff. That's what you can kind of expect. There will be a skelly drive a period or two where we have another chance to do some things where we are hopefully not too at risk to get injured. But we'll end with that redzone lockout stuff going into an overtime period.'
Despite the new-look A-Day format, our writers still have plenty of thoughts leading up to Saturday's action. From quarterbacks to win totals, here is what Auburn Wire writers Brian Hauch, Phillip Jordan, and Taylor Jones are looking for ahead of Saturday's scrimmage at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
The new A-Day format is a sign of the times
A-Day will have a new format this season, which will feature a 'one-hour' practice instead of the traditional scrimmage. How do you feel about the change?
BH: While it's unfortunate, I get it. I would have loved to see Deuce Knight lead an offense against Jackson Arnold on the other side, but the practice still serves as a nice exhibition for the fans making the trip to Auburn. If Hugh Freeze's team ends up winning 10 or more games this year nobody should care.
PJ: It is just part of the changing landscape of college football and college sports. College football coaches by their nature can be paranoid about other teams trying to steal their players and tampering with the transfer portal. The fans are getting the bad side of the deal and losing the excitement of the game-like atmosphere of the A-Day Game.
TJ: Fans will miss out on their fix of college football competition in the spring. However, it is understandable why programs are searching for alternatives to the traditional spring format. Coaches will limit injuries while protecting themselves from possible poaching. It will be interesting to see if this is the new normal, or if spring games slowly fade away.
New year, new QB room
Auburn will have a brand new quarterback room this season with Jackson Arnold, Ashton Daniels, and Deuce Knight in competition for the starting role. Which QB do you see winning the job out of spring?
BH: Jackson Arnold should absolutely be pencilled in as the starting quarterback against Baylor at the end of August. Even if Knight lights the world on fire, Arnold brings the Tigers' offense something it hasn't had since Bo Nix.
PJ: Jackson Arnold should be the favorite to win the job due to his playing experience plus talent. However, if he struggles like he did at Oklahoma, Deuce Knight could overtake him.
TJ: Jackson Arnold has earned the right to a fair shot at a second chance. He was set up to fail last season at Oklahoma due to poor line play and injuries at receiver. Auburn's experienced line and talented receivers could provide the new start he needs. However, Deuce Knight will also get his chance to shine in various moments this season.
A new way to Hunt (er)
Jarquez Hunter is out after an amazing career on the Plains. Who do you expect to receive the bulk of the carries this season?
BH: The departure of Jarquez Hunter may completely change the way Auburn attempts to move the chains in short yardage situations. I'd expect Damari Alston to get most of the work between the tackles, but I wouldn't be surprised to see a rotating committee of Jeremiah Cobb and Durell Robinson see plenty of snaps in hopes to open up the playbook.
PJ: Damari Alston should get most of the reps, but Durell Robinson out of UConn could be a huge factor.
TJ: Auburn will miss Hunter, but the room will be deep with Damari Alston, Jeremiah Cobb, and Durell Robinson, a UConn transfer. Cobb will get plenty of snaps in spring before Robinson arrives, but Robinson will need to quickly learn the scheme to see significant playing time this fall. This room will be deep and as dynamic as it has been in quite some time, but I see Alston carrying a majority of the load.
The offense goes as the line goes
Auburn will return most of its starting offensive line and will have two experienced transfers battling for the starting right tackle slot. How much do you see the offense improving this season with the experienced offensive line?
BH: Experience in the trenches is important, especially when the signal caller behind an offensive line is a new one. No matter who ends up getting the starting nod at quarterback for the Tigers, Conner Lew and company should be much better in protection than they were a season ago. Auburn's offense has top quarter of the SEC potential, but a bad showing from the line could tank those high hopes by September.
PJ: Auburn will need to be better at protecting the quarterback this season. Last season, starting quarterback Payton Thorne was sacked 26 times and lost 169 yards. If that is a repeat with Jackson Arnold, it could be another long season for the Tigers.
TJ: The potential for Auburn to have its most dynamic offense is at its highest under Hugh Freeze, and offensive line play can make or break the trend. Having solid linemen such as Conner Lew and Bradyn Joiner will certainly help the Tigers in all aspects. Some would argue that Jackson Arnold may have the most pressure on him this fall. However, the offensive line will have equal, if not more, pressure than Arnold.
All eyes on defense
Which defensive group will you have your eye on this Saturday?
BH: The defensive backs, specifically the safeties, intrigue me the most. Anquon Fagens is likely to start as a true freshman, with fellow freshmen Eric Winters and Donovan Starr getting plenty of playing time behind him. Kayin Lee and Jay Crawford have proved themselves as corners, and that duo could provide elite shut down potential with solid safety help.
PJ: Linebackers will be the most interesting for me. This is the youngest group on the roster with Demarcus Riddick poised as the new leader. Some new faces will need to step up.
TJ: EDGE rushers will have my attention on Saturday. Jalen McLeod is out, but you will have two young guys in Jared Smith and Antonio Coleman who will look to break into the pass rush game this season. Will they make an immediate impact at EDGE like Keldric Faulk did two years ago?
Setting the win total
Hugh Freeze is still in the rebuilding stage, but has the program on a positive track due to his recruiting efforts. How many wins do you foresee the Tigers logging this season?
BH: With Georgia and Alabama set to enter Jordan-Hare this year, it's hard not to dream about a College Football Playoff bid. If Jackson Arnold lives up to the hype these Tigers can win at least 10 games. Auburn most likely finishes with 9.
PJ: This team has the talent to win nine games, but will need to learn how to close games unlike last season.
TJ: On the safe side, I believe Auburn wins eight games this year. However, the borderline games with Baylor, Texas A&M, and Missouri have a great chance of bouncing Auburn's way and could put them into College Football Playoff contention.
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