Post-SEC Spring Power Rankings: #12 - Auburn Tigers
The Tigers are looking to rebound after ending 2023 with a whimper. They were on the wrong end of history against New Mexico State, becoming the victim in NMSU’s first-ever win over an SEC squad, and they blew a late lead against Alabama in the Iron Bowl.
Tiger fans are still bullish on what this squad could accomplish in 2024, though, and not without reason. Hugh Freeze has brought in some premier receiver talent to the Plains in Cam Coleman and Perry Thompson out of high school, as well as beating out Texas A&M football for Penn State transfer KeAndre Lambert-Smith.
The issue is the question of who will be throwing these guys the ball. It’s not as though Payton Thorne lit the world on fire last year; in fact, he was below-average as SEC signal callers go. Could true freshman Walker White make a move to be the guy behind center before the year is out? Maybe—but for Auburn to be successful, they need to figure out that aspect of the offense quickly.
A new-look secondary is another reason for concern for the Tigers. They lost several of their most experienced players to the portal and the draft, though keeping Keionte Scott around was big. Can they rise to the occasion against an SEC schedule?