Greg McElroy Names SEC Dark Horse Team as Season Sleeper

Greg McElroy Names SEC Dark Horse Team as Season Sleeper originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

During his "Always College Football" podcast, host Greg McElroy anointed the Auburn Tigers as a potential SEC dark horse for the 2025 season, placing heightened expectations on coach Hugh Freeze and his embattled program.

After back-to-back losing campaigns, the moment feels critical, as McElroy unpacked what makes this the year the Tigers could answer the call.

In a recent podcast episode, McElroy highlighted the arrival of quarterback Jackson Arnold from the Oklahoma Soonders, the return of talented players across both offense and defense, a top-10 transfer class and a schedule that is ripe for to create momentum.

Auburn’s offense floundered a year ago, ranking tied for 74th nationally in scoring offense at 27.6 points per game, though the defense held stronger, surrendering just 21.3 per game (28th).

Greg McElroy's Endorsement for a Hopeful Auburn in 2025

McElroy named Auburn as the SEC’s sleeper team, calling the Tigers a dark horse with potential to rise.

His full take referenced Auburn’s disappointing 11–14 record under Freeze over the past two seasons, the offensive struggles and the energy Arnold brings after a mixed 2024 campaign at Oklahoma, including flashes of dual-threat ability and a standout performance in a 24-3 win against the Alabama Crimson Tide. In that game, Arnold rushed for 131 yards on 25 carries to go along with 9-for-11 passing for 68 yards.

Auburn also boasts depth at receiver, with sophomore Cam Coleman returning after scoring eight touchdowns as a true freshman, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets transfer Eric Singleton (754 yards, three TDs) adding explosive playmaking, and Horatio Fields from the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, who contributed 463 yards and four scores last season.

The offensive line returns mostly intact with marquee transfers added, Xavier Chaplin (Virginia Tech Hokies) and Mason Murphy (USC Trojans), at both tackle positions.

Defensively, EDGE Keldrick Faulk, who notched seven sacks last year, stands as a leader. Auburn also added a big transfer, cornerback Raion Strader from the University of Miami (Ohio) RedHawks, who can hopefully help the Tigers hold firm against stacked SEC offenses.

In total, Auburn added 19 players via the transfer portal this offseason. Taken together, roster upgrades, offensive balance and a friendlier schedule make McElroy bullish on Auburn.

Mounting Pressure on Hugh Freeze Counteracted By Manageable Schedule

Auburn’s June recruiting wobbles grabbed headlines, as Freeze was criticized for offseason golf distractions and a slipping 2026 class. However, a rebound this year could turn the team's recruiting fortunes to bring in another notable transfer class after the season.

Freeze knows the stakes. No Auburn coach has survived into a third season following two straight losing years in 50 years.

He has publicly embraced that pressure, saying, “I embrace the expectations of Auburn,” and believes the locker room is ready to win close games. Realistically, a bowl-eligible record is the bare minimum, but improvement beyond that, possibly seven or eight wins, would reset momentum.

Auburn’s schedule avoids powerhouses like the Texas Longhorns and LSU Tigers, although it does host the Georgia Bulldogs and Alabama Crimson Tide. The team faces a difficult start to its SEC schedule, with road matchups against Oklahoma and the Texas A&M Aggies in consecutive weeks.

That is a double-edged sword that could yield signature wins if the team’s elevation holds. This blend of opportunity and pressure aligns squarely with McElroy’s dark-horse narrative.

The stakes are well-defined. McElroy sees this as the moment for Freeze and Auburn to capitalize on momentum by making meaningful progress after a downturn in the program.

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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 14, 2025, where it first appeared.