ESPN Analysts Back Hugh Freeze’s Unpopular Decision to Stick with Payton Thorne Amid Auburn Struggles
The debate over Auburn’s quarterback situation continues to heat up, with ESPN analysts Roman Harper and Cole Cubelic expressing their support for Hugh Freeze’s decision to keep Payton Thorne as QB1, despite mounting criticism from the fanbase. Many Auburn fans are questioning the decision to stick with Thorne after his shaky performance, but Freeze, along with these analysts, believe the best course of action is to continue giving him a chance to improve.
Roman Harper, a former Alabama player, was quick to defend Freeze’s choice, noting that it’s not uncommon for a quarterback to have a bad game. “You don’t expect him to go out and still have four interceptions,” Harper said during an appearance on *The Paul Finebaum Show*. While acknowledging that Thorne’s performance against Cal, which included multiple turnovers, was far from ideal, Harper pointed out that it wasn’t entirely his fault. He believes that Cal’s quarterback, Fernando Mendoza, simply outplayed Thorne that day.
Cubelic, on the other hand, expressed frustration with those who question Freeze’s decision-making. He emphasized that no coach in the SEC, especially one with as much at stake as Freeze, would intentionally play a quarterback who isn’t the best option available. “I struggle to understand why people think coaches… go to practice every day and see another player that’s better and get to games and say, ‘You know what? Nah. Put my guy back in there,’” Cubelic said.
However, for many Auburn fans, this explanation doesn’t sit well. Freeze’s decision to stick with Thorne, even after his poor performance, feels like a gamble that the fanbase isn’t willing to take, especially as Auburn struggles to find its footing in the highly competitive SEC. While Freeze has built some goodwill with his recruiting efforts and experience, his on-field results haven’t yet lived up to expectations. Auburn, which once enjoyed the highs of being ranked in the top 15 under Bryan Harsin in 2021, now finds itself looking for answers in the early days of Freeze’s tenure.
Critics argue that Freeze should face more scrutiny, regardless of his past success or the situation he inherited. Sonny Dykes turned TCU into a playoff contender overnight in 2022, proving that rapid turnarounds are possible in today’s game, especially in the NIL era. Auburn fans are growing impatient, and the support for Thorne doesn’t help alleviate concerns. If Thorne doesn’t turn things around soon, Freeze could face even more criticism for not making a change earlier.
Ultimately, Freeze’s decision to stick with Thorne will remain unpopular until results improve. For now, the Auburn faithful are hoping that this faith in their quarterback pays off sooner rather than later, or else Freeze’s honeymoon period could end quicker than anticipated.