lca408

I still think, if the numbers allow, they would take another D-lineman if they could. They may not be able to in order to keep the younger guys on the roster happy, but better chances if they’re one-and-done guys. Of the 3 we got this week, I think Bliddi is the only one that seems to be a likely starter. Raikes has always been a backup at A&M and has issues getting pushed around at times. I have to think that it’s gonna be a mixture of him and Jayson Jones at nose or however Durkin is actually going to line them up. Crawford is like this year’s version of McLeod, but he’s not gonna beat out McLeod for the starting spot. He’s an excellent addition and provides quality depth to the outside D-line/edges but he’s a sub guy. Auburn is still lacking a guy that will be good enough to win the starting job on the interior within the first few practices. If Holden goes, Auburn likely snags a QB. If Battie, Alston, or Cobb go, we’d certainly grab an RB. I think we’ll probably try to take at least 1, maybe 2 DBs to replace Hood and Scott but also to bolster the back end with a bit more depth. Maybe a LB? Other than that, the only other position I could see is us taking another OL for added depth, but that would have to be the exact right fit and situation to work, otherwise we risk alienating some of the HS dudes we’re working on for the ‘25 class. So, if the current roster stays the same, I’d think 4-5 more at most? Probably just 4 as it turns out: 2 DBs, likely a QB, and maybe either a LB or another DL.

I’d imagine A&M is the favorite because of what they can offer via NIL. But it would be very nice to have him. Maybe Freeze is giving the green light for competitive funds. The dude can definitely play and would fit what Freeze is looking for in this transfer spot because he only has the one year left.

Is Husan in town???

It seems his value is just as much about being one of the top kids in state and that being a “feather in the cap” as opposed to an absolute can’t miss at RB. As Zeek and others have said, there are plenty of very capable RBs out there we could pursue, and probably kids that are better suited to come in and transition to college easier than AH from 1A. But missing out on a big name like that when you’re “supposed” to have had him locked down is disappointing. That said, I remember plenty of recruits playing games well before NIL. AH just doesn’t seem to want to go to Auburn regardless, and if that’s the case, he might’ve done the same thing whether NIL existed or not.

The ‘25 schedule is really nice. Getting to play Missouri and UK at home, assuming both are still tough outs, is a great advantage, in addition to hosting UGA and UAT, which hopefully by then means we’re actually on a level playing field with them for once (or at least close to it). Oklahoma on the road is probably the toughest sitch, though Elko could have A&M rockin and rolling by then. Interesting to see the breakdown of where all the games fit in the final schedule. Vandy and Arky on the road just like 2023 - that SHOULD be two wins there, but who knows how it shakes out. Still, feels like a plus goi no forward, hopefully in a year where the talent level should be in a good spot and we should have an actually capable and talented QB.

This is the right answer. To be honest, even though there’s some big and challenging games on the schedule, the opportunity is there. It’s slightly weaker than in years past. Missouri and UK are tough teams but the road venues aren’t difficult to play at. Oklahoma is an unknown commodity but it’s also at home and it’s the first time we’ve hosted them so expect a crazy crowd which can change the dynamic. I’d say less than 8 wins is a significant disappointment, and likely a sign that Freeze never figured out the QB sitch. That alone is a mark against him. Not to be fired but to have a warm seat, especially after a year where he admitted that he spent more time on recruiting than detailed game planning. This matters most in terms of recruiting. Freeze HAS to win at least 8 games for proof of concept. Otherwise, the negative recruiting can take hold on those big fish that Auburn will be trying to pull in 2025 and potentially 2026 as well. If Auburn can get at least a halfway decent rotation on the DL (maybe the biggest question mark right now), get what it expects out of the OL, and gets at least a modest improvement in QB play, there’s no reason we can’t manage 8 wins. 9 wins is within reach and anything more is dependent on a few teams underperforming. Like I said, the opportunity is there - if Freeze has a long-term future here, he needs to prove it by improving the win total. Roster depth/talent be damned, there is enough to be at least competent this year. It’s unrealistic to expect Auburn to finish in the Top 12 right now, but 2025 should be a no-brainer. If we’re not, we’ve got an enormous problem on our hands, because that doesn’t mean that we’re still trying to acquire talent - it means we’re trying to replace it because of some type of major attrition from the ‘23 and ‘24 classes without being able to supplement with portal guys.

*11 🤣. “Best 11 loss team in the country PAWWWWL!” Seriously, they probably are but it’s fun to laugh.

I think the fact that his jersey is permanently retired makes him more than eligible for a statue. Maybe not alongside Pat or Cam or Bo, as he didn’t win the Heisman, but I could see a statue near the Tiger Walk entrance by the South Endzone. Or, easily enough, at the new football facility. Maybe at the entrance or inside the main entryway. Considering the emphasis on more talent at WR currently, it could be a subtle psychological sign of commitment to a first rate passing game, in addition to actual results on the field of course. I agree fifty, I think there’s space and plenty of reason to do it.

I wish they’d build another add on to the other side of the South endzone, mirroring the one they built a few years ago, but brick it in for God’s sake. But if they could do that, they could use that as expanded area and amenities for students, and put boxes above.

I heard he’s had a really good week of practice. Really been flyin around out there.

We need a better backdrop for our ‘25 pictures. That looks like something I would decorate lol

I think we have 3-4 spots left right now, but room can be made if needed. Idk, that’s what I heard on the J-Lee and J-Head podcast last night

I’d imagine he gives you your other starting safety spot alongside Laquan Robinson. This is good. Need to add another corner maybe……

If the “OC” is still calling plays, that’s a huge failure on the part of Freeze. Probably wouldn’t matter today as unprepared as this team has been. Don’t care about the flu excuse or the opt outs. Just show up enough to be competitive.

12 CST

Is Williams signing tomorrow? I’ve seen several posts implying this. Have I missed something? I thought he was still signing in Feb?

I realize no one probably knows but, any hints on how to decipher this? Because it involves both KJ and LJ, I assume it’s recruiting centered?

There was that guy they hired midway through who was in NFL admin or something who was supposed to be the recruitment scout/coordinator. It honestly sounded like a good idea at the time and it probably was, if it had actually been utilized. Turns out it was just another position that Harsin could pawn off some more recruiting responsibility onto so he could do whatever tf else he wanted to do.

I’ve always had the feeling that Freeze and Co knew they probably couldn’t make up enough ground to snag #1 in ‘24 but that it was theirs for the ‘25 class. I think they’ve been laying the groundwork for that ‘25 class ever since they arrived in 2022.

He’s signing in February though. By then, the vast majority of our 2024 class resources can be devoted to him because pretty much everyone else will have signed, including all 4 of our highly rated other wide receivers. It’s worth it to try unless Freeze and staff get the word that he really IS just messing with us by then. Edit - sorry I meant to respond to your earlier comment about wasting resources. I agree with you - legacy doesn’t mean anything in recruiting. We’ve seen that too often at Auburn over the years.

No arguments there.

Stats are a lot of fun, but they don’t tell the whole story. Nix was solid in 2019, a year where he had a fantastic D-line that could shut teams down, and some talent at WR and on O-line. He lost some of those pieces in 2020 which, in turn, led to a big step back. While that’s not necessarily his fault, he also seemed to personally regress in 2020. As soon as he faced good competition in 2021, same thing. I think most of those problems were, admittedly, not necessarily his fault but rather being put in bad spots and poor offensive management by Malzahn and then Bobo/Harsin. Nix needed development and he didn’t get it at Auburn. At Oregon, he’s progressed and benefited from both a talented roster around him and a weaker conference. He’s a legit Heisman candidate. No, he didn’t deserve half the hate he got here and that makes me very sad that it ended that way. But he was the definition of a talented loose cannon on the field - always going to give you 2-3 awesome plays per game and good for some boneheaded plays in every game as well.

Go to a different church

Georgia plays 4 snoozers prior to our game, they’ll be undefeated and still #1. We’ll be 3-1 at worst, hopefully 4-0 and likely ranked if that’s the case. Perfect (and likely the only) opportunity to put Georgia on gameday before the Cocktail Party. Honestly, the way the schedule shakes out, it works well for us. 3 wins, an uptick in competition on the road in the SEC, then maybe the best team in the country at home before the off week. Any questions on personnel and scheme should be worked out by then, with the best possible range of game film to examine and adjust personnel and game plans going forward.

All those guys, Tua excepted, had their struggles vs Auburn. AU beat Hurts and Jones straight up, would have beaten Simms in 2014 if they had a defense with a pulse (or an offense that could get in the end zone instead of just killing it between the 20s), took the game out of Coker’s hands in 2015 and only significantly fell behind in the 4th quarter, and should have won in 2021 vs Young - which we all saw. Auburn basically didn’t have a chance against UGA in the last 3 games against them. Only in 2019 was it semi-close, and that was only the case late in the 2nd half after falling behind 21-0 at home. Not sure if this is due to UGA being so significantly deep and talented at every position as opposed to Alabama, or a coaching/scheme issue which makes it harder to find success, or a motivational thing. I’d lean towards motivational but then again, so many of Auburn's players have traditionally been from Georgia that game has usually been as big as the Iron Bowl for the team. There just seems to be a mental block/issue that’s preventing Auburn from breaking through since 2017.