ESPN's Greg McElroy calls Auburn a 'sleeper' ahead of the 2025 season
ESPN analyst and sports talk show host Greg McElroy shared his opinion of the poll following its release. During his spiel, McElroy included Auburn as a "sleeper" team for the top 25 by season's end. McElroy shared the same sentiments as ESPN's David Hale by pointing out that Auburn caught many unlucky breaks last season and does not expect the program to experience the misfortune of losing multiple one-score games during the upcoming season.
'It's just, there's no way (Auburn) can be as snakebit as they were last year," McElroy said during a recent episode of Always College Football. "The football gods won't allow, it's not likely. I guess it can happen, Nebraska fans are like 'We've been that way for awhile now, we've lost a lot of one-score games.' I get it, so I understand it can happen for sure.'
One of the reasons why McElroy feels that Auburn's "receiving votes" status can change early on is thanks to their ability to revamp several position groups through the transfer portal. The defense held its own last season, but enhancements at wide receiver and offensive line could propel the Tigers to new heights under head coach Hugh Freeze.
While McElroy respects Auburn and feels that they may be underrated heading into the new year, he is not ready to say that the Tigers are ready to contend for their first-ever College Football Playoff bid.
'So I look at Auburn and for them to be 5, 8, 11, 12 spots – so basically 37th in college football – to me is way too far (down),' McElroy said. 'I think Auburn has a chance to be a Top 25 team. I don't think they're a (College Football) Playoff team, but they have a chance to be a Top 25 team for sure. Especially with the pieces that've improved from last year to this year.'
Auburn will get its first chance to make a statement on Friday, Aug. 29, when it faces Baylor on the road at 7 p.m. CT.
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__
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