Hugh Freeze knows the feeling of walking back into a stadium that once roared for him. Yes, in 2021, during his 3rd year at Liberty, he returned to Oxford to face Ole Miss, the program he once led and left behind in scandal. Although it had been five years since his resignation, the emotions were heavy. And when Liberty fell that day, Freeze admitted the return hit him hard. Now at Auburn, he’s turning that chapter into a lesson. Because his star QB Jackson Arnold is set to face Oklahoma, the school Arnold called home for two seasons.

Auburn and Oklahoma don’t meet often.. The Sooners own the series 3–0. And their first two wins came on the Sugar Bowl stage: a 40–22 blowout in 1972 and a 35–19 victory in 2017. Then, in 2024, the rivalry took on fresh meaning. Oklahoma, new to the SEC, walked into Jordan-Hare Stadium and walked out with a 27–21 win. The turning point came late, when LB Kip Lewis snagged an interception and raced more than 60 yards for the go-ahead score. Auburn had led by 11, but the Sooners stormed back. It was Oklahoma’s first SEC road win, and it set the tone for a brewing matchup in 2025. And now, with a strong roster, Hugh Freeze’s squad is ready to compete. When asked about handling the noise, the HC was clear.

At his September 15 pregame press conference, Freeze reflected on his own past. “The good thing is, I’ve had personal experience with that,” he said. “I’ve had to go back to a place where I enjoyed coaching, won some games, and had to go back in there and take another team and play. That whole week was a challenge for me not to think about some of that.” Freeze then shifted the focus to his QB. “I know the same will be true for Jackson,” he explained. “But he’s very mature. He doesn’t give any credit to any noise or the talk. He’s a pro.” Now, Jackson is stepping into the same storm Freeze once faced, but the coach has full confidence in him. So, the question is: how will he handle the noise?

Arnold’s exit from Oklahoma didn’t carry the drama of Freeze’s Ole Miss departure, but it wasn’t smooth either. Because his lone season as the Sooners’ starter fell short of expectations. Midway through the year, he was benched. Following that, he finished with under 1,500 passing yards. On top of that, the offense around him was battered by injuries and constant staff changes. It was the kind of season that called for a reset. Now, as he prepares to return, the question of how he’ll be received looms. Freeze, though, insists it shouldn’t matter.

The head coach isn’t worried about the reception. “We all understand that,” he said. “People might cheer for him, boo him, whatever it is. But I think he’s mentally strong. and it more about preparing.” Then the coach also shared the same advice he once gave himself. “Just keep the focus on our team,” said Freeze. “It’s not about you. It’s not about me. It’s about our team preparing to go play.”

Freeze knows the real test lies ahead. “I don’t know what they’re ranked now, but I think they’re a top-10 team,” he said of Brent Venables’ Oklahoma. “All the rest will subside at some point… it will be about what we did on the field. And that’s my advice to him.” Translation: Freeze’s message to Arnold: block out distractions and prove yourself through performance, especially against a tough, hard-hitting defense.

Freeze’s take on the Sooner defense

Oklahoma’s defense has surrendered just one TD all season. Freeze called them “stingy” and “very physical.” Then he credited Brent Venables for molding a unit capable of making a playoff run. And the No. 11 national ranking backs that up. But now, the spotlight shifts to whether Auburn’s offense can find answers against such a formidable group.

Although Auburn has leaned heavily on its rushing attack, piling up 726 yards through three games. The passing game, however, hasn’t found the same rhythm. So Freeze has been clear about wanting more balance, urging his QBs to stretch the field with deeper throws. “We’ve got the threats to go vertical, and we need to be more aggressive and consistent downfield,” stated Freeze. That emphasis will be put to the test this Saturday when the Tigers step into Norman for their biggest challenge.

And against an Oklahoma defense that thrives on physicality and discipline, Auburn can’t afford missteps. The Tigers will need contributions across the board, with every playmaker making an impact if they hope to come out of Norman with a statement win.