After several years of middling performances, the Auburn Tigers appear primed for a breakthrough in 2025.
Despite enduring four straight seven-loss seasons—including a rocky 2024—momentum is building under third-year head coach Hugh Freeze, fueled by elite recruiting, transfer portal success, and a revamped roster.
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In ESPN’s newly released 2025 Football Power Index (FPI), Auburn sits at No. 14 nationally, signaling a major step forward for a team that finished last season outside the top 25.
Although the Tigers rank just eighth among SEC programs in the FPI, they benefit from a manageable schedule, facing only three of the league’s top-tier teams—No. 2 Georgia, No. 4 Alabama, and No. 11 Texas A&M.
Leading Auburn’s offensive revival is former five-star quarterback and Oklahoma transfer Jackson Arnold. His arrival, paired with Freeze’s system, is expected to elevate a unit that struggled mightily last season. The program has also secured back-to-back top-10 recruiting classes and one of the most impressive transfer groups in the country.
The impact is clear: Auburn’s offense has surged 31 spots to No. 16 in ESPN’s FPI—making it the most improved among the top 20. The defense, too, has made strides, jumping 13 places to No. 13.
ESPN analyst Neil Paine even named Auburn among 17 teams with legitimate national title potential, citing their offseason transformation and quarterback upgrade.
However, the Tigers still have on-field challenges to address. Mistakes in execution, turnovers, and special teams breakdowns plagued them in 2024 and must be corrected to maximize their potential.
Still, with a strengthened roster, a more streamlined offensive scheme, and renewed belief in the program’s direction, Auburn may be ready to re-enter the national conversation. For a fanbase eager to reclaim relevance, 2025 could be the start of a long-awaited return to prominence.
