Auburn Tigers fans, the 31–15 win over South Alabama has created more debate than celebration, but it’s time to break down what really happened on the field. Auburn jumped out early with 28 first-half points and never looked back, even though the offense showed flashes of inconsistency. Jackson Arnold’s stat line may read 13-for-24 for 142 yards and one touchdown, but the story runs deeper. Between dropped passes, missed interference calls, and several near-touchdowns, Arnold played a much cleaner game than the box score suggests.

The defense continues to hold steady, giving up just 13.5 points per game through three weeks. That’s championship-caliber territory, and with Oklahoma looming, Auburn’s next test will reveal just how ready Hugh Freeze’s squad is for the grind of SEC play. Fans have been quick to panic, comparing Auburn’s output to Tulane or pointing to deficiencies in the passing game. But perspective matters—Auburn has comfortably won every game, and Hugh Freeze has clearly been calling a conservative game plan to keep his roster healthy heading into the toughest stretch of the season.

From Cam Coleman’s contested catches to Preston Howard’s costly drops, the young playmakers are still finding consistency. But Auburn is 3-0, undefeated, and showing flashes of the explosive potential that could carry them deep into the season.

Don’t miss our full breakdown of Auburn’s performance against South Alabama, Jackson Arnold’s continued growth, and what to expect heading into the Oklahoma matchup.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices