Hugh Freeze on playing Georgia and Alabama: 'The expectation is we're walking out there to win it'
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The Auburn Tigers have work to do if they want to get back into contention in the SEC.
With a new coaching staff, a fresh perspective on the recruiting trail, and an exciting transfer portal class to work with, fans and media alike are both curious and optimistic about what role the Tigers could play in the league this season.
Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze recently joined The War Rapport to discuss his transition to the Plains and how recruiting has been a point of emphasis for the staff.
Mike Gittens of TWR asked Freeze about what his approach is going to be facing off against Georgia and Alabama - Auburn's two archrivals and faces of not just the SEC, but of college football.
Freeze acknowledged the two programs' degree of success and the stretch between them and the rest of the league.
"There's basically been two gold standards in this league, and it's Alabama and Georgia," Freeze said. "The rest of us are at different levels, I would say probably LSU and Tennessee closed the gap some this year [...] the rest of us are trying to play catch up."
It's a proverbial grand canyon between the Bulldogs and Tide compared to everyone else, but Freeze came to Auburn to elevate the standards of their program and to one day compete evenly with them on the field.
It's not something to shy away from. It's an opportunity.
"We will never back down from saying we want an opportunity at the gold standard, and fortunately - or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it - we've got a shot at both of them every year," Freeze said. "What a great opportunity that is. We have an opportunity to judge ourselves against what has been the gold standard of college football for a long time in Alabama's case, and more recently in Georgia's case."
These aren't just matchups against the best in the SEC. Auburn's games with Alabama and Georgia every season have deeper meaning than words can convey. All three of these teams could be winless otherwise, but if the Iron Bowl or the Deep South's Oldest Rivalry is happening in Jordan-Hare, fans don't care about anything else.
All they want is to beat Bama and Georgia.
"...Those games are different," Freeze said. "And they should feel a little different, and that's okay. Obviously on the win-loss record they all count the same, but it doesn't in the people's eyes that live here. [...] I know how much that means to our people, and our fanbase, and we're excited to play in that game."
The standard doesn't stop at excitement or accepting a challenge. There's expectations that come with raising the standard up, and Coach Freeze knows that over time, those expectations begin to rise.
"Hopefully in time, I don't know how fast, but hopefully in time the expectation is that we're walking out there to win it."
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