Takeaways: Hugh Freeze talks 'great' challenge of SEC road opener, 'average' pass rush and more

Auburn football coach Hugh Freeze participated in SEC weekly teleconference on Wednesday as the Tigers (3-0) prepare for their SEC opener at Texas A&M (2-1) on Saturday. The game will kick at 11 am CT on Saturday and be televised on ESPN. In all fairness, Auburn hasn't been tested anything like how they will be tested at Texas A&M on Saturday. It's why Freeze made it a point on Monday to highlight the talent gap that exists between programs like Texas A&M, Georgia, LSU and Alabama, and where Auburn wants to be. Freeze said the Tigers' program will "be there soon," but faces some tall tasks in the next three games, starting with Texas A&M this weekend. And A&M has their own questions marks, falling to Miami by double digits on the road in their only big-time game this season. The Aggies scored 33 points, racked up 25 first downs and nearly 450 yards. On the flip side, Miami's Tyler Van Dyke threw for 374 yards and five touchdowns, as Miami scored 48 points (41 on offense, plus a kickoff return for TD). Auburn and Texas A&M are both trying to right the ship after both programs went 5-7 in 2022. "It's a great challenge for us. We're excited about it. When you look at the recruiting classes they've stacked and you put the film on, we're not quite there yet. We're dealing with quite a few injuries, but we're excited about going and playing. It'll be a good test opening up SEC play." Auburn is 9-12 all-time against Texas A&M and 7-6 since the Aggies joined the SEC in 2012. The Tigers won four straight games in College Station during the 2013, 2015, 2017 and 2019 seasons before losing in 2021. The Tigers have scored 20 or less points in each of the last three contests, winning last season, but losing by double digits in 2021 and 2020. Auburn won last year's meeting 13-10 in an emotional contest that saw interim head coach Carnell Williams coach his first home game after taking over for the fired Bryan Harsin. Here's more from Freeze taken from the SEC teleconference.