Paul Finebaum Claims One SEC Coach Is ‘Playing Possum’

Hope is high on the Plains as Auburn football enters a critical year two under head coach Hugh Freeze, who is playing it pretty coy this preseason.

The Tigers went 6-7 last season and were painfully close to a couple more victories if not for a wretched outing vs. New Mexico State and a blown Iron Bowl, both at home. However, there was promise, and in just the second season of Freeze's tenure, excitement has permeated through the program.

However, SEC Network host Paul Finabum claimed on McElroy and Cubelic in the Mornin g on Monday that Freeze isn't leaning into the hype so much publicly.

"I had a chance to talk to Hugh Freeze the other day, and you know, he did not exude a lot of confidence," said Finebaum. "But you can tell, this time of the year, Freeze is playing a little bit of possum."

Finebaum believes the Auburn coach is intentionally quiet — not because he isn't confident in his team, but perhaps because he's trying to underscore the pomp and circumstance ahead of what could be a huge year.

Finebaum isn't predicting anything special, but he likes where the bus is heading at Auburn.

"I do think Payton Thorne — I do think the receiving corps being significantly better, and just, a better coaching staff," he said of the Tigers. "I think the program is significantly healthier today than maybe it's been for a number of years."

Now, Freeze simply has to go prove that statement on the field.

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