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Future Opponent Game to Watch: Auburn vs Kentucky 

IMG_3380by: George Barclay16 hours agoGbarks_24
NCAA Football: Auburn at Arkansas
Oct 25, 2025; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Auburn Tigers quarterback Jackson Arnold (11) prior to the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images

On Saturday night, the Kentucky Wildcats (2-5) travel to Jordan-Hare Stadium to take on the Auburn Tigers (4-4). The future remains uncertain for both programs. Kentucky has decided to devote almost half of its revenue share towards men’s basketball and has become the SEC’s worst football program. Meanwhile, Auburn has once again played itself out of College Football Playoff contention, while its hated rival, Alabama, keeps finding ways to win and remain in contention. Program pride is on the line on Saturday night for both teams. 

Tale of the tape: Kentucky 

Kentucky’s Cutter Boley throws the ball against Texas Saturday night at Kroger Field. Oct. 18, 2025

At quarterback, the Wildcats are led by freshman Cutter Boley. For all the problems Kentucky has had, Boley has shown some poise. So far, Boley has a 66.5% completion percentage, 9 touchdowns, 5 interceptions, and one rushing touchdown. 

Receiver Kendrick Law is Boley’s top target with 24 catches for 302 yards and 2 touchdowns. When Boley is not targeting Law, he keys in on tight ends Willie Rodriguez and Josh Kattus. Rodriguez has 14 catches for 201 yards and a touchdown, and Kattus has 12 catches for 163 yards and 2 touchdowns. Running back Seth McGowan leads Kentucky’s backfield with 93 carries for 476 yards and 7 touchdowns. Donte Dowdell is the backup running back with 79 carries for 326 yards and 1 touchdown. 

According to Teamrankings.com, Kentucky is ranked 65th in third-down conversion percentage, converting 39.58% of its third-down attempts. On fourth down conversion percentage, Kentucky is ranked 106th, converting 41.67% of its attempts. In team red zone scoring percentage, Kentucky’s offense is ranked 94th, converting 79.17% of its red zone attempts. 

Kentucky’s Steven Soles Jr. celebrating tearing the ball from Toledo’s Tucker Gleason hands Saturday afternoon at Kroger Field. August 30, 2025

Defensively, Kentucky has 11 sacks and 6 interceptions so far this season. Linebacker Steven Soles Jr. leads the team in sacks with 3, and defensive back Ty Bryant leads the team in interceptions with 2. The Wildcat defense is ranked 80th in opponent third-down percentage, with opponents converting 41.05% of their chances. Kentucky’s defense is ranked 20th on fourth down conversions, with opponents converting just 40% of their attempts. In the red zone, Kentucky is ranked 78th in team opponent red zone scoring percentage, converting 85.71% of their chances. In short, teams that convert on third down against Kentucky have little issue scoring on the Wildcats. 

Tale of the tape: Auburn

Auburn Tigers wide receiver Cam Coleman (8) warms up before Auburn Tigers take on Missouri Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala. on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.

Auburn has been in so many of these future opponent articles that I feel like paraphrasing Jim Nantz and saying, “Hello, Tigers.” 

Auburn’s 2025 season has been stunted by some bad officiating against Oklahoma (a fake substitution turned touchdown) and Georgia (a QB run that crossed the goal line ruled a fumble), bad quarterback play, and a talented defense that is on the field way too much. 

Quarterback Jackson Arnold leads the Tigers’ offense. Arnold has completed 63% of his passes for 1,263 yards, 6 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions. On the ground, Jackson has 106 carries for 207 yards and 7 rushing touchdowns. Arnold had his worst passing performance of the year against Arkansas, throwing for just 73 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception. The only game this season in which Arnold threw for more than one touchdown was against Ball State, where he had 3 touchdown passes. If Arnold’s legs are neutralized, he is not a threat with his arm. 

*Update on Auburn’s quarterback situation. According to On3’s Chris Low, Auburn is benching Arnold for Stanford transfer Ashton Daniel’s. Daniels got some snaps last week in Auburn’s win and went 6/8 passing for 77 yards and 0 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. In his collegiate career, Daniels has completed 61% of his passes for 4,063 yards and 21 touchdowns to 21 interceptions. Daniels also has 9 rushing touchdowns in his career.

Sophomore star Cam Coleman and junior Eric Singleton lead Auburn. Coleman has 32 catches for 440 yards and 3 touchdowns on the year, while Singleton has 38 catches for 367 yards and 2 touchdowns on the season. Besides Arnold’s legs, the Tigers are led at running back by junior Jeremiah Cobb, who has 117 carries for 717 yards and 4 touchdowns and is averaging 6.1 yards per carry on the season. 

According to Teamrankings.com, Auburn is ranked 100th in team third-down conversion percentage, having converted just 35.51% of their attempts. On fourth down attempts, the Tigers are ranked 62nd, converting 56.25% of their attempts. Auburn ranks 96th in red zone scoring percentage, with the Tigers scoring on 78.57% of their chances.

On the defensive side of the ball, Auburn has a formidable pass rush with 23 sacks on the season. The Tigers’ pass rush is led by sophomore Xavier Atkins, who has 61 tackles, 7 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles on the season. Senior defensive end Kenron Crawford has also been an impact player for Auburn, recording 25 tackles, 5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 1 interception this season. Auburn’s secondary has 18 passes defended on the season and 7 interceptions. Junior cornerback Rayshawn Pleasant leads the team with 2 interceptions. 

Auburn’s defense is ranked 16th nationally in sack percentage, with the Tigers getting a sack on 8.49% of passing plays. The Tigers are ranked 48th in opponent red zone scoring percentage, with opponents scoring on 81.48% of their red zone chances. Auburn’s third-down defense is ranked 19th in the nation, with the Tigers holding opponents to a 32.11% conversion rate on third downs. The Tigers are ranked 93rd in opponent fourth-down attempts, with opponents converting 62.50% of their attempts.

Can the Wildcats get another win? 

Kentucky has had multiple close calls this season, with the Wildcats losing to Ole Miss 30-23 and a 16-13 overtime loss to Texas on October 18th. If Kentucky loses to Auburn on Saturday night, it may not win another game this season, given its remaining games against Florida, Tennessee Tech, Vanderbilt, and Louisville. Ball security and protecting Cutter Boley will be crucial against a talented Auburn defense. If Kentucky can take care of the football and move the ball, the Wildcats have a chance on Saturday night.

End of the road for Hugh Freeze?

Oct 18, 2025; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers head coach Hugh Freeze reacts after a play during the fourth quarter against the Missouri Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-Imagn Images

The 2025 College Football season has seen several high-profile coaches get fired. If Hugh Freeze loses to Kentucky, he could be next on that list. Tigers fans have appeared to grow tired of Freeze’s lack of production despite the talent on his roster. Losing to Kentucky at home would be a new low for Auburn and one that would enrage the boosters. A loss would also increase pressure for Freeze the following week against Vanderbilt, as Freeze has never defeated Commodores quarterback Diego Pavia in their head-to-head matchups. If Auburn does move on from Freeze, expect the University to throw a lot of cash at their next hire, with candidates such as James Franklin in the mix. 

Prediction 

Auburn runs the ball at home and forces some turnovers against young Cutter Boley. The Tigers earn their second win in a row, 21-14, setting up another showdown between High Freeze and Diego Pavia in Nashville next weekend.

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