2023 Auburn season prediction with a new quarterback at the helm
One of the worst kept secrets for Auburn this off-season was that the staff, the fans, and even the people that cover Auburn were hoping for a new quarterback. Another of the worst kept secrets is that everyone seems to believe that Payton Thorne, former Michigan State quarterback, will be Auburn’s next quarterback. I suppose we can thank social medias for all the above. There have been several outlets that have predicted Auburn’s record in 2023. The most ludicrous of which is ESPN’s prediction of a 5 –7 campaign. Which is about on par with how accurate FPI has been this far out, it predicted Auburn at #11 last year with an 8-4 record, no one is putting much stock into it. Perhaps it makes for good bulletin board material.
So, what DOES Auburn win/loss record look like with a strong quarterback in the system for 2023? On several Auburn Daily podcasts, this has been discussed. Most have Auburn as 7-5 or 8-4. I will hold firm with my previous statements. Keeping in mind this is IF we get a quarterback like Thorne or Thomson. Keeping in mind there might be a few more additions from the portal or grad transfers before we get there.
(Sept 2) UMass – Win
Nice opening game to work out some kinks and show off the offensive line and running game.
(Sept 9) at Cal – Win
Great road game to get the team ready to go to College Station. No way Cal can handle any SEC team this season.
(Sept 16) Samford- Win
Another tune-up game before SEC play fires up.
(Sept 23) at Texas A&M – Win
Three things Texas A&M loves to do, lose important games at home, lose to Auburn, and beat Alabama. I am here for it.
(Sept 30) Georgia – Loss
Georgia is still the best in all the Land. They have all the makings of a dynasty. This would be a huge upset and one I would love to hope for. It isn’t going to happen.
(Oct 7) OPEN DATE
Perfect spot for an open date. Although I am not sure it will be quite enough to get over the next hump.
(Oct 14) at LSU- Loss
LSU more than likely wins the SEC West this year. Brian Kelly has built a team up quickly and they are ready to play. This game will be closer than the current 17 point spread predicted, but LSU is going to be a tough out in Death Valley for anyone.
(Oct 21) Ole Miss- Win
This isn’t Tuscaloosa, I don’t think Ole Miss can come into Jordan-Hare in the bowl of ex-or soon-to-be-ex coaches of Ole Miss. Freeze will want this game bad, and he will get it. Ole Miss will be in the second tier until they prove they aren’t. This is one of two Freeze has circled.
(Oct 28) Mississippi State- Win
Sadly, I picture Coach Arnett having trouble keeping his team together by this point in the season. Even if he does, I don’t foresee them coming into Auburn and having the talent to knock the Tigers off. Just going to be a tough first season post-Leach.
(Nov 4 ) at Vanderbilt – Win
I have heard a few people say this is a trap game. After a long stretch of tough SEC competition and looking ahead at Arkansas, Vandy could slip one by the Tigers. However, this is still Vanderbilt and Auburn isn’t Florida or Kentucky. There is very little chance the sky falls enough to let Vandy stay in a football game with Auburn this season.
(Nov 11) at Arkansas – Win
This is the one is the in-betweener on the list. I am not sure what Arkansas is capable of this year. They have an elite running back, Auburn probably has a few. They have a capable quarterback. Auburn hopefully will too. Defense makes the difference for this one and give me a Ron Roberts schemed defense with this talent any day of the week.
(Nov 18) New Mexico State- Win
Another nicely placed “get-right” game prior to the Iron Bowl.
(Nov 25 )Alabama – Win
As far as I have found, I am the only one picking Auburn in the Iron Bowl for 2023. My reasoning: Freeze has this game circled. It is his Superbowl for this season. It holds so much recruiting juice and state pride that I would imagine he feels he HAS to win this game. This is the best season in recent memory to “get” Bama. The attrition has finally caught up to them offensively. Don’t get me wrong, a Nick Saban coached Alabama team is never going to be an easy out. However, at Jordan-Hare, with them not having an experienced quarterback and a few other question marks, this is the perfect time of decline.
With a good quarterback I put Auburn at 10-2. If the quarterback role falls to someone currently on the team, I think 6-7 wins will be tough to aspire to. Most prognosticators are saying a quality quarterback gives Auburn two more wins. I think it is 4 more. There is a lot to like about this Auburn defense, especially the defensive backfield. There is a heck of a lot to like about this new Auburn offensive line and a lot to love about Auburn’s running backs and tight ends. Throw in a leader that can make plays with his arms and his legs, and Auburn has something brewing.
The Tigers have had ten players depart from the program within the last few weeks, including three backup linebackers:
Quarterback TJ Finley
Wide receiver Tar'Varish Dawson
Wide receiver Landen King
Offensive lineman Colby Smith
Defensive lineman Jeffrey M'ba
Defensive lineman Tobechi Okoli
Defensive end Dylan Brooks
Linebacker Kameron Brown
Linebacker Desmond Tisdol
Linebacker Powell Gordon
Auburn has pulled in an impressive haul thus far during Hugh Freeze's first season on the Plains, currently sitting at No. 3 nationally in 247Sports' transfer portal class rankings.
Stay up to date on all of the Tigers' commitments, departures, and prospects for key positions at auburndaily.com.
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