The SEC has long been recognized as the most talented and dominant conference in college football, with powerhouse programs like Alabama, Georgia, and LSU consistently performing at a high level each season.
Alabama’s future is uncertain following the retirement of their legendary head coach Nick Saban. However, under new leadership from Kalen DeBoer, the Crimson Tide appears to be building something promising for the future.
After stepping away from coaching, Saban joined ESPN’s “College GameDay” as an analyst. He made his first appearance on the show during the 2024-25 college football season, providing commentary for the Week Zero matchup between the Florida State Seminoles and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.
During the broadcast, Saban discussed the current state of the SEC and revealed his pick for the most improved team in the conference: the Auburn Tigers, a program that has not been in the spotlight in recent years.
“I think Auburn is going to be the most improved team in the league,” Saban stated. “I really do.”
The Auburn Tigers are entering their second season under head coach Hugh Freeze after finishing the 2023-24 campaign with a 7-6 record. The team is bolstered by talented freshmen like wide receivers Cam Coleman and Perry Thompson, who are expected to be immediate playmakers. Additionally, Auburn has a solidified starting quarterback in Payton Thorne, which provides stability for the offense.
Auburn will kick off their season on August 31 at 7:30 p.m. ET against Alabama A&M. The Tigers face a challenging schedule, with four road games against ranked opponents: No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs, No. 5 Alabama Crimson Tide, No. 11 Missouri Tigers, and Kentucky.
Despite these challenges, Nick Saban remains confident in the Auburn Tigers’ potential to be the most improved team in the SEC this season.
Leave a Reply