Texas A&M leaned on its defense to grind out a 16–10 win over Auburn at Kyle Field, securing the Aggies’ first SEC victory of the season and pushing their record to 4-0 for the first time since 2016. Meanwhile, Auburn slipped to 3-2 with back-to-back losses after falling to Oklahoma the week before. And the reason? The Tigers’ offense never found a rhythm, managing just 176 total yards while surrendering five sacks and seven TLFs. But on the flip side, Texas A&M’s senior RB Le’Veon Moss carried the Aggies with 139 yards on 21 carries, including the team’s only TD, as Auburn’s attack failed to match his impact. That’s why Hugh Freeze made no effort to hide his disappointment after the game.

Auburn and Texas A&M met for the 16th time, with the Aggies holding the slightest edge in the rivalry. Although the Tigers had done well in College Station before, winning four of six. But this trip ended on a familiar note: flat on the turf. QB Jackson Arnold took the snap in the shotgun, only to be swallowed by a wave of maroon jerseys. Sack number five for the Aggies. But for Auburn’s battered front, it was fourteen in the last two games. On third downs, HC Hugh Freeze said, “I sound like a broken record. It’s not acceptable,” according to a tweet from Auburn insider Justin Hokanson. But why isn’t it acceptable?

Auburn dropped back-to-back games at Texas A&M and Oklahoma, going just 3-for-27 on 3rd down. But after the loss, HC Hugh Freeze was quick to shift blame away from his players, saying, “That’s not on the kids.” Then Freeze emphasized their effort, noting, “Our kids are playing too hard.” Despite the offensive struggles, he praised the defense: “Our defense played their tails off and well enough to win the game.” Still, he didn’t hold back in labeling the Texas A&M performance “unacceptable,” adding, “It was unacceptable the way we played.” This is where reality hits.

“Offensively, that was unacceptable,” said Freeze. And he’s not wrong. The Tigers came in hoping to light up the SEC airwaves with Eric Singleton, Cam Coleman, and a star-studded receiving corps. But Arnold averaged just 3.1 yards per attempt in a crucial road game. So, the issues are clear and connected. The O-line can’t hold up, and Arnold can’t get the ball out fast enough. He’s dropping back at a snail’s pace, 2.97 seconds per drop, 16th-slowest in the FBS. And to cap it off, he’s been sacked on 40% of pressures, 2nd-highest in the nation. That’s why he’s running like an RB, with 14 carries per game. Now, without a solid line and running game, Auburn’s passing dreams are stalling. But what about defense?

Missed opportunities at QB and struggles up front are undoing the hard work of a defense that’s holding opponents to just 16 points a game. Surely, Arnold and the line could turn it around, but right now it feels like the clock is running out. With three co-play-callers and no consistent answers, the Tigers face an uphill climb. And the schedule won’t get any easier. So the spotlight is squarely on Hugh Freeze, who’s 14-16 through 3 seasons. Now with a tough SEC road loss behind them, Freeze seems disconnected from the Tigers’ ongoing issues.

Hugh Freeze’s shocking statement

Auburn’s offense hit another wall just a week after facing Arnold’s former team. The Tigers couldn’t move the chains on third or fourth down and eked out only one yard in the final quarter. On fourth down, Arnold went down under pressure, leaving Auburn winless in SEC play at 0-2. But Hugh Freeze stayed upbeat after the game.

“It’s about sticking together through these difficult losses. We’re so close. We’re not far off,” said Freeze to reporters. But many Auburn fans are left asking: Not far off from what? Not far off from winning a season? Competing in the SEC? Making the CFB Playoff? So, the reality is the offense continues to flounder in big games. However, talent isn’t the problem.

With stars like Cam Coleman and Keldric Faulk, and a defense that can dominate, the pieces are there. But the QB spot keeps holding the Tigers back. Payton Thorne and Arnold, Freeze’s prized portal additions, haven’t delivered. Under Freeze, Auburn has failed to reach 20 points in nine conference games. Now without a change at QB, fans face a long season.