In his first appearance on ESPN’s College Game Day on Saturday morning, former Alabama head coach Nick Saban, who no longer wore the Alabama emblem on his lapel, wasn’t afraid to give his old team’s fiercest rival a little bit of credit.

Hugh Freeze and the Tigers could be a “thorn in the side” of the SEC, according to ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit, who was speaking about the conference in general and Auburn in particular.

Due of Herbstreit’s remarks, the previous head coach of Alabama felt free to discuss Auburn.

And in a move that may have surprised some, Saban offered the Tigers and Freeze credit.

According to Saban, “I believe Auburn will be the league’s most improved team.” “It’s true,”

In Freeze’s first season at Auburn last year, the Tigers finished 6-7, including a heartbreaking Iron Bowl loss to Alabama and Nick Saban.

As the Tigers prepare to enter Year 2 under Freeze, all eyes will be on the Auburn offence, which should get better with the return of starting quarterback Payton Thorne and the addition of a few skilled receivers through the transfer portal and the 2024 signing class.