5 college football teams who could be the next TCU in 2023
By John Buhler
Hugh Freeze makes Nick Saban nervous, but will he make Kirby Smart squirm?
For as good as 2019 Baylor was under Matt Rhule, or 2021 Baylor under Dave Aranda in that respect, the closest equivalent to 2022 TCU in recent memory is probably 2013 Auburn. The 2012 Tigers were a hot mess in the aftermath of Cam Newton’s historic 2010 season. Auburn might always be a hot mess because that is in their nature, but Hugh Freeze could change their fortunes.
Admittedly, it was controversial to bring back the disgraced former head coach of Ole Miss into the conference, but he just kept winning games at Liberty. More importantly, the entire dynamic of college football recruiting has shifted in Freeze’s favor since the last time he led an SEC team. Auburn is a top-15 program all time, so act like it. Nobody is better equipped for their challenges.
Freeze already makes Alabama head coach Nick Saban uncomfortable. Like his best friend in the profession in UCF head coach Gus Malzahn, Freeze will win a few Iron Bowls in his day. We know he can recruit and we know that he can coach. His biggest issue lies in the fact that Auburn’s two biggest rivals are Alabama and Georgia. Auburn doesn’t win in Athens and Kirby Smart is a Dawg!
With Freeze at the helm, he will give Auburn chances against Alabama, Georgia, LSU and Ole Miss.