Nick Saban believes Auburn football will be the most improved team in the SEC during the 2024 season, crediting the squad that gave him the most trouble during his career as Crimson Tide coach and Hugh Freeze, who similarly gave him fits while at Ole Miss.
“I think Auburn is going to be the most-improved team in the league,” Saban stated during his College GameDay debut on August 24. “I really do.”
Kirk Herbstreit, Saban’s co-host, described Auburn as a possible thorn in the side of SEC opponents this season. The College GameDay panel does not underestimate the Tigers.
John Cohen fears Alabama can still give Auburn football problems without Nick Saban
AU AD John Cohen believes Auburn has a bright future, but he does not expect the Tigers to take over Alabama simply because Saban is gone. Following Saban’s retirement, Cohen recognized the Tide as a possible contender.
“Alabama won national championships before he got there and they have the potential to win them after he leaves,” Cohen told reporters in January. “I have nothing but the utmost regard for both Coach Saban and (Alabama athletic director) Greg Byrne. I believe that Alabama will continue on a positive road in football.
Cohen also claimed that Saban’s retirement has nothing to do with the Auburn Tigers. And in many respects, he’s correct. The Tigers’ success is based solely on their culture. Not what happens elsewhere.
However, Cohen made a critical error in failing to account for the deterioration of crucial connections in Alabama after transitioning from Saban to Kalen DeBoer. Auburn now has a Thompson pipeline since Freeze is the state’s longest-tenured coach with the strongest local high school contacts.
