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The 2024 college football season did not go as planned for some of the most prominent schools in the country, making 2025 a critical year for both the teams and their coaches.
The Auburn Tigers, under head coach Hugh Freeze, are facing a pivotal season after finishing with a disappointing 5-7 record last year, marking their fourth consecutive losing season. Freeze has led two of those. Turnovers were a significant factor in their struggles, as the Tigers ranked No. 105 in turnovers lost, finishing the 2024 season with 22 turnovers.
Despite these challenges, ESPN's Greg McElroy recently expressed on his radio show, "McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning," that he believes Auburn is one of the eight teams capable of winning the SEC in 2025.
"I look at Auburn," McElroy said. "You're going to think I'm crazy, but I think Auburn can win the SEC this year. I think that is absolutely possible. Now, is it going to allow the stars to align? Sure. But I can tell you this, I think Auburn's chances of winning the SEC in the preseason are better today than they were in 2013."
McElroy thinks that while Auburn is likely near the bottom of the teams, he believes can win the SEC, they still have the potential to be competitive. Although he did not go into detail about his reasoning, it may be related to the work the Tigers did in the transfer portal.
Auburn finished with the No. 8-ranked transfer portal class, making several key additions, including quarterback Jackson Arnold and wide receiver Eric Singleton Jr.
Arnold, a former five-star prospect, was a first-year starter last year at Oklahoma. However, his season did not go smoothly, as the Sooners were missing their top five wide receivers for much of the year and faced issues with a banged-up offensive line. He ended the season with 1,421 passing yards, 12 touchdowns and three interceptions over 10 games.
Singleton Jr. had an impressive season at Georgia Tech, accumulating 754 yards and three touchdowns. He was also ranked as a top-five player in the transfer portal.
The Tigers are set to open the season on Aug. 29 at 8:00 p.m. ET, facing the Baylor Bears on the road.
More must-reads:
- Colorado's Deion Sanders reveals massive medical problem he's been battling this offseason
- Mark Stoops tips hand as to who will be Kentucky's starting QB
- The 'NFL all-time touchdown receptions leaders' quiz
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Oklahoma Sooners veteran defender is getting pushed by three specific young guys who are 'trying to take somebody's spot'
When you get 64% of retention of the defensive side of the ball, for a defense that was one of the best in the entire country last year, you just know 2025 is going to be a great year. That phase of the team is not the one the Sooners are worried about. The offense is the side of the ball with all of the questions. The defense, well, they will be amazing in 2025, despite playing maybe the hardest schedule in the entire country. With some of the star power that they have in guys like R Mason Thomas, Marvin Jones, Kendal Dolby, Kip Lewis, and Robert Spears-Jennings, the Sooners are destined to be a team that consistently holds teams under 20 points per game. Then, you can also add in the fact that they will have some insane depth. There will be guys getting on the field that most teams don't know about, and those players will sometimes be just as good as the stars they are coming in for. If the injuries find the Sooners again this year, it feels like the defensive side of the ball will certainly be ready. In the secondary, both the cornerback and safety positions have great depth. The safety room has three guys in particular who have been making some noise as depth players, as even those young guys are pushing the veterans. Sooners safety Robert Spears-Jennings being pushed by young guys "I'm so proud of them...They're pushing me and Peyton (Bowen) to be great because they're not trying to sit. They're trying to take somebody's spot," safety Robert Spears-Jennings said of Jaydan Hardy, Michael Boganowski, and Reggie Powers. We heard a ton about Boganowski last offseason as a freshman, and how hard he hits as a safety. Last season, almost all of their young guys who played depth roles got some playing time in big-time games in the SEC last year. After some time developing this offseason and getting that experience, of course, they're ready to be unleashed. The Sooners' defense in 2025 is coming for everyone, and I think it's only a matter of time before the country realizes that, too. Oklahoma is going to surprise a ton of people in 2025, and a big reason why is because of their depth and young guys who are not only all bought in, but are all really good. 2025 is looking to be a big year.
Oilers to Acquire a Top-Tier Goalie. An Official Trade Offer Is on the Table in a Blockbuster Deal
Steelers reporter shares big claim about how Aaron Rodgers has looked in training camp
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers spent the bulk of the spring as an unsigned free agent and, thus, only began officially practicing with Pittsburgh Steelers teammates during the team's three-day mandatory minicamp in June. During a Monday appearance on Pittsburgh radio station 102.5 WDVE, Steelers reporter Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette addressed how Rodgers looked during his first few training camp practices with the club. "His release is just astonishing to watch," Dulac said about Rodgers, as shared by Ross McCorkle of Steelers Depot. "Everybody knows about it, and when you see it in person, you see it every day in practice, you just marvel at it. To me, he's the greatest thrower of the football I have ever seen, even at 41 (years old). That flick of that wrist and that ball comes out, it's moving and it is something to see." Rodgers was with the New York Jets when he suffered a torn Achilles four offensive snaps into the 2023 regular-season opener. He was then slowed by a nagging hip issue, injuries to both his knees, a low ankle sprain and a serious hamstring problem as the 2024 Jets went 5-12. According to Pro Football Reference, Rodgers finished last season ranked 28th in the NFL among qualified players with a 48.0 adjusted QBR and 26th with a 43.9 percent passing success rate. That said, he was also eighth with 3,897 passing yards and tied for seventh with 28 passing touchdowns. Rodgers and Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson endured some struggles during training camp sessions last summer before the two allegedly "never saw eye-to-eye" during the season. It sounds like Pittsburgh fans should be encouraged by how Rodgers performed in recent practices. "That guy can get rid of the ball as quick as anybody," Dulac added. "He made three throws in seven-on-seven (drills) the other day that the cumulative total I bet couldn't have exceeded 2.1 seconds. And two of those were for touchdowns." Rodgers wants to finish his career "the right way" and help the Steelers notch at least their first playoff win since January 2017. As of Monday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had Pittsburgh at -150 betting odds to miss the playoffs for the upcoming season.
Green Bay Packers: Nate Hobbs Makes Blunt Admission After Scary Moment
Green Bay Packers defensive back Nate Hobbs seems to be having trouble managing his energy and aggressiveness in training camp. He was previously given a reminder by head coach Matt LaFleur about taking things easy on the field after a hit on wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks. Hobbs acknowledged that, but he appeared to have done it again on Monday, when running back MarShawn Lloyd exited practice and did not return following a low hit from the veteran cornerback. It’s a concerning development for the Packers, considering that Lloyd is viewed as a potential breakout candidate in 2024 after getting limited to just a game in 2024 because of health issues. Hobbs owns up to mistake in Monday’s Green Bay Packers training camp The 26-year-old Hobbs owned up to his actions that left Lloyd hurt. Via Packers website senior editor Mike Spofford: “Had good intentions and just a mistake,” said Hobbs, who did have an interception Monday on a pass that deflected off of rookie receiver Matthew Golden’s hands. “Just me trying to play the game how it’s played but I need to be better. “I just got too low.” There will be plenty of practices to be had for Hobbs and the Packers before the 2025 season, so it’s best that he shows he’s truly learned his lesson sooner rather than later. In any case, he is still seen as a key part of Green Bay’s defense that surrendered only 20.0 points per game in 2024. Before signing with the Packers, Hobbs played four seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders, and while he’s yet to come up with an interception in the NFL, he has 19 passes defended and three forced fumbles so far in his pro career that started in 2021.
Russell Westbrook Signing On Hold As Kings Aim To Finalize Key Trades
Recent league rumblings suggested that the Sacramento Kings will be signing Russell Westbrook to bolster their backcourt depth. While signing the nine-time All-Star would certainly be in their interest, the Kings appear to have other priorities in mind. Sacramento has been particularly active in trade talks this offseason. From being involved in negotiations for Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga to supposedly facilitating a trade for DeMar DeRozan, the Kings will be making some changes. Westbrook's arrival is imminent, as his agent, Jeff Schwarz, has been in constant communication with the Kings' front office. However, the organization is reportedly aiming to complete trades involving Malik Monk and Devin Carter before moving forward with Westbrook, per ABC10's Matt George. The trade market for Monk and Carter hasn’t been promising. Carter has been mentioned as the central figure in Sacramento's trade package for Kuminga. The Warriors haven't viewed this favorably, as they have shown an interest in Keon Ellis instead. Meanwhile, the Kings' decision to trade Monk is an intriguing one, especially in light of the season he had. Primarily acting as a bench player, the guard put up 17.2 points and 5.6 assists per night, while shooting 43.9% from the field and 32.5% from beyond the arc. At only 26 years old, Monk has proven himself a valuable contributor with his athleticism and shot-making ability. This move seems driven by roster imbalance and cap constraints. With a crowded backcourt and limited cap space, the Kings have been forced to make tough choices. Facilitating a trade for the guard has proven to be a challenge. Even though trade efforts for Monk began earlier this month, Sacramento hasn’t made much progress. While this could complicate matters under normal circumstances, it likely won’t derail Westbrook’s eventual signing. Apart from a few teams, the 36-year-old hadn't garnered much interest for his talents. When considering that the market for Westbrook was held up by Ben Simmons' pending decision to sign with a team, it is evident that Sacramento took a more proactive approach. This could have positive results in light of the season the veteran guard had. Coming off a solid season with the Denver Nuggets, Westbrook showcased that he could be perceived as a reliable floor general even at this stage in his career. For the 2024-25 season, he put up an average of 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 6.1 assists, while shooting 44.9% from the field and 32.3% from three-point range. He also showed that he could shine in a more prominent role, drawing on the task of being a starter in Jamal Murray's absence. That stretch led to a modest boost in production, reinforcing his value on a playoff-caliber team. Sacramento hasn’t made its direction for the upcoming season entirely clear. But given the current roster construction, a top-10 finish in the West seems unlikely.
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