The Auburn Tigers’ struggles continued with a second consecutive SEC loss on Saturday, dropping them to the bottom of the league standings. In their matchup against Oklahoma, familiar mistakes plagued the team, costing them a game they appeared poised to win. Auburn led for much of the contest, holding a 21-10 advantage heading into the fourth quarter, but a late collapse and a pick-six allowed Oklahoma to steal the victory.
Head coach Hugh Freeze, who has faced growing criticism for his handling of losses, briefly took some responsibility after the game, acknowledging his role in the team’s struggles. “I shouldn’t have put [QB Payton Thorne] in that situation,” Freeze stated, offering a rare moment of accountability. However, he quickly reverted to his usual pattern of blaming execution rather than coaching decisions. Freeze has consistently defended his game plans, even after losses, and has been criticized for “throwing his players under the bus.”
After a disappointing loss to Cal earlier in the season, where Auburn managed just 14 points, Freeze insisted his coaching staff had called a near-perfect game and that the players had simply failed to execute. This narrative resurfaced following the loss to Arkansas and again after the Oklahoma game.
Turnovers have been a persistent issue for Auburn, leading the nation in giveaways. The Tigers’ offensive miscues continued against Oklahoma, contributing directly to their fourth-quarter collapse. The game ended fittingly with a pick-six, a costly mistake that symbolized the team’s inability to hold on to a lead.
While Freeze briefly accepted responsibility after the game, his Monday press conference saw him return to his previous stance. He defended his past criticisms of his players, claiming he was merely providing the truth about what had gone wrong. Freeze reiterated that his play-calling in key moments was sound, and the players, including a backup tight end this time, simply failed to execute.
This approach has frustrated Auburn fans, as the Tigers have continued to struggle under Freeze’s leadership, accumulating an 8-10 record over his two seasons. The road ahead doesn’t get any easier, with a difficult trip to face Georgia next on the schedule. Auburn will need to find a way to correct their mistakes and regain momentum after yet another game slipped away.
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