Auburn HC Hugh Freeze has critical decision to make ahead of Kentucky game that could save his job
Ashton Daniels has been taking QB1 reps, but Hugh Freeze still won’t admit that he needs to keep Jackson Arnold on the bench
The Auburn Tigers finally stopped their losing streak this past week against Arkansas. Hugh Freeze and company find themselves sitting at 4-4 with the Tigers head coach firmly fixed on the hot seat. Every single game, every single play, and every single decision that Hugh Freeze makes moving forward will likely decide whether or not and how long he keeps his job at Auburn.
Now, with the Kentucky game looming, coach Freeze has to decide if he stays with the hot hand at quarterback who helped Auburn win in Ashton Daniels or if he’ll go back to Jackson Arnold. The correct decision is obvious, but it seems coach Freeze doesn’t want to admit that.
Ashton Daniels taking first team reps, competition with Jackson Arnold still open
The facts are facts. Jackson Arnold led Auburn on one touchdown drive, an inefficient field goal drive, then fell apart quickly against Arkansas last Saturday. Arnold threw a interception that Arkansas ran back for a touchdown, gifting the Razorbacks a 21-10 lead, then Ashton Daniels came in and led the Tigers to five straight field goal drives and a victory.
Did Daniels put up a ton of great passing numbers? No, but he managed the game well and didn’t take 5+ sacks in the game like Arnold has already done three times this season.
This week, Daniels has been seeing a significant portion of first team work again, but according to Hugh Freeze it’s still an “open” competition.
Hugh Freeze mentioned on Monday when he met with media that, “there isn’t any greater motivator than competition,” and that the quarterbacks will “split reps, and we’ll make a decision.” That decision likely dictates the trajectory for the rest of this season.
Auburn can likely take care of business against Kentucky regardless of which quarterback takes the helm, so this week’s game is likely just final preparation for the last tough stretch of the season. After this week the Tigers face off against Vanderbilt, Mercer, and then Alabama in the Iron Bowl to finish out the season. If Auburn doesn’t win at least three of their last four games Hugh Freeze is likely out as head coach (and he might be anyway).
Ashton Daniels has seen action in over 30 games throughout his college career at both Stanford and Auburn, so he should be ready to repeat or exceed his showing from last week if called upon. Daniels went 6 for 8 passing last week for 77 yards and added 35 yards on the ground. He’ll certainly be asked to do much more than that if he is indeed the starter, but Auburn fans should have confidence in him given his experience, quick processing, and far superior ability to avoid sacks when compared to Jackson Arnold.
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