After a 24-14 loss to Arkansas, Auburn faces a quarterback dilemma. Payton Thorne, who began the season as the starter, was benched after a four-interception game against California. Redshirt freshman Hank Brown took over, leading Auburn to a win against New Mexico with four touchdown passes, but struggled in his first SEC start, throwing three interceptions in one half.
Trailing 7-0 at halftime, head coach Hugh Freeze turned back to Thorne, who threw for 213 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception in a losing effort. With a game against No. 21 Oklahoma approaching, Freeze has yet to decide who will start. During a Monday press conference, Freeze stated, “It’s going to be a battle this week… to figure out who can master the plan against all these fronts that we’re going to face at Oklahoma.”
Auburn’s quarterback decision could shape the trajectory of their season. Sitting at 2-2 (0-1), their College Football Playoff hopes are slim, but the season is not over. If Freeze sticks with Brown, it signals a focus on developing the young QB for the future. Freeze acknowledged Brown’s potential but highlighted his mistakes, saying, “He looked really sharp at times, but made a few poor decisions, especially in key moments.”
Opting for Thorne, despite his inconsistent recent play, would suggest Auburn is prioritizing immediate competitiveness. Thorne’s experience, especially in SEC competition, gives him an edge if the goal is to win now, even if his ceiling may be lower. Auburn also has other quarterback options, including redshirt sophomore Holden Geriner and freshman Walker White, both highly rated recruits who could see playing time.
With three consecutive games against ranked opponents ahead, Auburn’s quarterback choice will be a key factor to watch for the remainder of the 2024 season.
