But Freeze on Tuesday sounded like the winner Auburn hired in November 2022. Credit where credit is due. Michael Casagrande is a reporter for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @ByCasagrande or on Facebook.

The Tigers are 11-14 in Freeze’s two seasons and 5-11 in the SEC. Former Oklahoma QB Jackson Arnold is in line to start after arriving from Norman in the offseason. But Arnold struggled himself in 2024 and was replaced as Oklahoma’s starter during the season.

Hugh Freeze has proven himself a virtuoso in excuse-making, but he shelved those abilities at SEC media days and welcomed expectations for Auburn.