This could be a problem.
David Pollack Reveals Major Concern Looming Over Historic College Football Program originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The 2025 college football season aims to be a resurgence for some of the most historic programs in the sport.
The Auburn Tigers have been hoping for a season like this for several years. They haven't had a winning season since 2020, nor have they won more than six games in a season since 2019. The last time Auburn experienced at least four consecutive seasons without a winning record was from 1946-50, during which they experienced five straight seasons without a winning year.
The hope is that this drought does not recur. On "See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack," the college football analyst expressed his belief that such a situation is unlikely to happen again. However, if it were to occur, it would likely be due to one significant issue.
"The biggest question mark is Jackson Arnold, and it's not even close," Pollack said. "The problem is Jackson Arnold, because last year was tough. The one thing that I do know about that kid watching him, I do know he's an elite runner and I do know that Hugh Freeze with an elite runner at quarterback is a dangerous freaking animal."
The quarterback position has been a challenge since Freeze took over at Auburn. Last season, the Tigers faced difficulties at this position, with Payton Thorne receiving most of the playing time. He passed for 2,713 yards, recorded 21 touchdowns, and threw nine interceptions, which contributed to the team's disappointing 5-7 record.
Thorne is no longer part of the program after exhausting his eligibility. He will be replaced by Jackson Arnold, a former five-star recruit who served as the starting quarterback for the Oklahoma Sooners last year. Arnold's season did not meet expectations; he threw for 1,421 yards, with 12 touchdown passes and three interceptions, while also rushing for 444 yards and scoring three touchdowns.
Arnold’s inconsistent performance resulted in him being benched during the fourth game of the season against the Tennessee Volunteers. However, he regained his starting position a few games later after the backup, Michael Hawkins Jr., had a poor performance against the South Carolina Gamecocks.
It's important to note that Arnold was without his top five wide receivers for most of the year, and due to injuries, his offensive line was frequently changing. This season, he will aim to prove that last year was a fluke and to play up to the expectations of his five-star high school rating.
Auburn will begin the season on the road against the Baylor Bears on Aug. 29 at 8:00 PM ET.
Related: Paul Finebaum Gives His Record Prediction For the Auburn Tigers in 2025
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 14, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: General Sports
