The repeated inability to capitalize on multiple turnovers and convert in the red zone is systemic throughout Hugh Freeze’s football operations, as are the same old excuses that have invariably percolated since the Auburn Tigers head coach this season.

“It could have been a different game, for sure,” Freeze lamented after the game about Auburn’s missed opportunities in the first half. “The difference in the game was their third-down conversions…their ability to stay on the field and our inability to score touchdowns in the red zone.”

Losing 28-14 in the Iron Bowl, the Tigers’ faint hopes of extending the season finally died with a collective whimper and groan, and Bama converted on 12 of their 18 third-down attempts.

If Tigers fans were truly searching their souls, extending the 2024 season would only extend the misery inflicted on them by terrible coaching and on-field execution.

The more cynical among us might venture to suggest that when Freeze immediately shifted the program’s focus to recruiting and exploiting the portal, he was determined to self-preserve.

“We have a top 10 class and I hope we can land another one next week“, Freeze said Saturday. “We have to go back and try to finish it and then hit the gate to make sure we don’t feel like this next year.”

This is not to say that he is wrong in his general overview; this current incarnation of the Tigers is lacking in far too many areas to really take on Alabama and a host of other stronger programs at the moment.

While most would agree with this assessment, the baffling decision by Freeze to abandon the previous transfer portal to roll with Payton Thorne, clearly out of his depth, as the starting quarterback, was a stunning incompetence from the from the head coach.

The truth is that Thorne was put in a desperate position by a head coach who either seriously misjudged his skills or had the hubris to believe he could get miracles out of him.

Or both.

Thorne’s abject inability to read the game in the most crucial situations was something that signaled so badly that running the offense through him was going completely crazy.

When Freeze said “hit the gate to make sure we don’t feel like this next year,” he didn’t necessarily say “quarterback,” but he might as well have. Auburn has no proven commodities on the roster and one high school recruit Two knightsif he stays with the Tigers, that won’t be the answer.

Clean up the three-headed monster it’s the Tigers game that should be next on the list. It’s no surprise, with three votes on game days, that Auburn seemed disconcerted and out of sorts when the pressure intensified…like in the red zone and late in the half.

As the dust settles and bragging rights once again remain in Tuscaloosa, many will lament the situation. failure to use running back Jarquez Hunter’s legs and the hands of explosive freshman receiver Cam Coleman more frequently.

“It’s disappointing to end the season the way we did,” Freeze admitted. “There’s a lot to build on, for sure, with these young guys and hopefully we can recruit the class next week. However, the injury is still there.”

Freeze inherited a talent-poor team when he took over. There is no doubt that he improves the staff. But he needs to improve his quarterback play and improve in-game decision-making in 2025 if he wants to see 2026.

The clock starts now.