How tough is Auburn football's 2025 schedule compared to the rest of the SEC?
Hugh Freeze needs to lead Auburn to a winning campaign in 2025 in order to release the pressure surrounding his job security, and one CBS Sports college football expert feels this year's schedule will give Freeze the break he desperately needs.
In his ranking of SEC's toughest schedules, Brandon Marcello of CBS Sports places Auburn's slate in the lower tier at No. 11. Sure, any fan base would love to have the right to brag about how tough their schedule is any given season, but, in Auburn's case, having a softer schedule could lead to higher morale surrounding the program and for Freeze to cool off the "hot seat" chatter.
Marcello points out that Auburn's schedule will always be considered challenging thanks to Alabama and Georgia being their top rivals. However, outside of those two games, Auburn's schedule lines up well for a program desperately needing to rise in college football playoff talk.
Auburn's schedule is never easy with rivals Alabama and Georgia permanently in the rotation, but both come to Auburn this season, and with an abundance of talent returning at receiver and a former blue-chip prospect at quarterback in Oklahoma transfer Jackson Arnold , this is the year for Hugh Freeze to challenge for 10 wins. The Tigers open the season on a Friday at Baylor . Back-to-back road rips to Oklahoma and Texas close September. Only two road games remain on the docket in October and November (at Arkansas and Vanderbilt). As always, the season will defined by Georgia (Oct. 11) and Alabama (Nov. 29). If Freeze is ever going to win at Auburn, it's against this schedule.
Auburn football has lost seven games in each of the last four seasons and is aiming to lift the weight off its shoulders in 2025. The Tigers held leads in games with California, Oklahoma, and Missouri, but caught bad breaks late and ultimately lost, which turned the season around for the worse. This season, Auburn will face just two teams that won at least 10 games last season, and will face eight teams that won eight or fewer games. An easier schedule, mixed in with incredible talent, could propel Auburn into College Football Playoff consideration by season's end.
According to Marcello, Vanderbilt has the toughest schedule this season, with Missouri boasting the easiest among SEC teams.
Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Taylor on Twitter @TaylorJones__
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
41 minutes ago
- Yahoo
KJ Ford hints at 'big surprise' commitment; Non-finalist surging late
Last week, Duncanville (Texas) elite four-star edge-rusher K.J. Ford announced a July 11 commitment date with a final three of Florida, Ohio State and Texas A&M. But that doesn't tell the whole story. "Big surprise tomorrow," Ford posted to Twitter/X on Thursday. And he's not just hyping up his announcement. According to On3, the Alabama Crimson Tide have suddenly emerged as the favorite to land the Duncanville star. The nation's No. 98 overall prospect and No. 11 edge-rusher took an official visit to Tuscaloosa in late May - the first of his four trips - but Alabama was eliminated when Ford announced his top three. That appears to no longer be the case. The Crimson Tide are red-hot on the recruiting trail this summer, and lead the nation in five-star commitments (four or five depending on the site). Much of that stockpile of talent has come in the past few weeks, highlighted by Gainesville (Georgia) five-star linebacker Xavier Griffin, Benjamin Russell (Alabama) five-star wide receiver Cederian Morgan, St. Frances Academy (Maryland) five-star safety Jireh Edwards and Picayune Memorial (Mississippi) four-star defensive lineman Nolan Wilson. Ford's addition would be a surprise, but given Alabama's hot streak it would be more evidence that the Crimson Tide are recruiting at an elite level. An Under Armour All-American, Ford racked up 57 tackles, 16 tackles-for-loss and seven sacks in his junior campaign. Here's what 247Sports had to say about Ford as a prospect: "Well-rounded, classic defensive end with sneaky size and requisite length. May most appropriately embody a traditional three-point, 4-3 end, primarily aligned as a 7-tech. That said, likely a potentially scheme-versatile edge who could also provide valuable snaps as a hybrid two-point, 3-4 rusher." "Uses leverage and sudden point-of-attack strength to affect the run game. Still developing consistent bend-and-dip flexibility, but flashes arc-running ability as a rusher. Also shows some promising stack-and-shed power against larger foes." "Under Armour Dallas Regional in Feb. 2025 reinforced belief in POA quickness and speed-to-power abilities that often knocked offensive linemen to their heels in 1-on-1 exposure. Projects to the high-major level as a potential multi-year starter with long-term pro upside."
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Experts predict if Notre Dame will land 2027 quarterback Teddy Jarrard later today
Today is a big day for 2027 Georgia quarterback Teddy Jarrard, and potentially a huge day for Notre Dame as well. The Irish are one of five teams that the 6-foot, 3-inch and 190-pound signal caller will choose from as Georgia, Michigan, Penn State and Ohio State are his other finalists. Jarrard's commitment will have a domino effect, as Notre Dame has only offered one other quarterback in the class. Many are wondering if that strategy will work out, and looking towards what recruiting insiders are saying is the best way to find out if the Irish played this correctly. Looking at 247Sports first, there are two Crystal Ball picks, both favoring Notre Dame. It's always interesting to see when these choices were made, and both of them happened less than a week ago. That's great news for the Irish. With Rivals merging with On3, there is one less place to see predictions, but like 247Sports, they like Notre Dame's chances at landing Jarrard. There is a 91.9% confidence level in their Recruiting Prediction Machine, and while their insider picks are locked, you have to believe that they are all for the Irish. If these predictions are correct, Notre Dame's strategy of being very selective with their 2027 quarterback offers is going to pay off with Jarrard. Hopefully that is the case later today. Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (Formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions. Follow Mike on X: @MikeFChen This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Experts predict if Notre Dame will land 2027 quarterback Teddy Jarrard
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Notre Dame football lands pledge from 2027 QB recruit Teddy Jarrard
SOUTH BEND —Notre Dame football stayed hot on the recruiting trail, securing a commitment Thursday afternoon from Georgia prep quarterback Teddy Jarrard. Rated a four-star recruit in the 2027 class, Jarrard is entering his junior season at North Cobb High School in Kennesaw, Ga. Jarrard transferred after leading North Cobb Christian to an 11-2 record and the state private-school semifinals last fall. 'Notre Dame always stuck out to me,' Jarrard said in his official YouTube announcement. 'Coach (Marcus) Freeman is building something special up there. It's something I want to be a part of.' Standing 6-foot-4 and 200 pounds, Jarrard is rated the 15th-best quarterback nationally in his recruiting class by 247 Sports Composite. Pegged as the 195th-best recruit overall at this point, Jarrard picked the Irish over nearby Georgia and a trio of Big Ten suitors: Ohio State, Michigan and Penn State. 'They can expect to get a person who's going to be a perfectionist at his craft,' Jarrard said. 'Every day my goal is to get a little bit better and take little strides every step of the way. I'm trying to be as perfect as possible. They're going to get a hard-working kid.' has bumped Jarrard to No. 2 among 2027 quarterbacks and No. 52 overall. Jarrard completed 69% of his passes as a sophomore, piling up 2,752 yards and 31 touchdowns along with five interceptions. Jarrard becomes the third commitment for Notre Dame in the Class of 2027, joining Alabama prep linebacker Ellis McGaskin and Asheville, N.C., long snapper Sean Kraft. Steve Angeli: What impressed Syracuse coach Fran Brown the most about former Notre Dame football QB Notre Dame's quarterback pipeline already includes a nonbinding commitment from Class of 2026 recruit Noah Grubbs of Lake Mary, Fla. A four-star prospect, Grubbs is listed at 6-4 and 205 pounds and rated as the No. 16 quarterback recruit in his class. The early signing period runs from Dec. 3-5. Notre Dame's 2026 recruiting class ranks fifth nationally, according to 247 Sports Composite, after climbing as high as second. Notre Dame freshman quarterback Blake Hebert (6-3, 225) was a Clemson commit until switching to the Irish last fall in the wake of Deuce Knight's decommitment and subsequent pledge to Auburn. Hebert is a product of Boxford, Mass., who played at the Brunswick School in Greenwich, Conn., with fellow Notre Dame signees Matty Augustine (offensive tackle) and Ethan Long (safety). Mike Berardino covers Notre Dame football for the South Bend Tribune and Follow him on social media @MikeBerardino. This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Notre Dame football lands pledge from 2027 QB recruit Teddy Jarrard
