It could have been better than a 6-6 season; there were opportunities for it. But considering back-to-back losing seasons under the previous coach, it wasn’t a bad 1st year for head coach Hugh Freeze on The Plains.

A pair of 3-game win streaks accounted for the win total — one to start the season, and another toward the end that added to the win total, a trio of SEC victories.

Then a couple of losses to close out the season left the Tigers with a .500 record but still qualifying for a bowl game. The destination won’t be known until next Sunday, when the official announcement is made.

Meanwhile, we take a look at the end-of-season stock report.

Most improved: LB Eugene Asante

The Tigers’ junior linebacker has blossomed in 2023 after 3 seasons at North Carolina. He led Auburn’s defense, recording nearly twice as many tackles as anyone else on the team. His 12 tackles at California were a career high, and he scored his 1st career touchdown on a 67-yard scoop-and-score in the 4th quarter at Texas A&M.

In 37 games at North Carolina, Asante recorded 62 tackles. He equaled that number through 8 games this season at Auburn, with double-digit tackles in 3 of those games. Asante became 1st Auburn player to tally at least 12 tackles plus a sack in the same game since Zakoby McClain had 14 tackles and 2 sacks vs. Ole Miss in 2021.

Biggest surprise: Lack of passing game

Nobody expected the Tigers to lead the conference in passing, but who could have foreseen them finishing last? Michigan State transfer Payton Thorne came to Auburn having thrown for 3,232 yards and 27 TDs in 2021 and 2,679 yards and 19 TDs last season.

So throwing for fewer than 2,000 yards this season was a surprise. But that’s what happened, and the offense suffered for it. But it was a team effort that kept Auburn’s passing game to a minimum. Lack of protection from the offensive line coupled with a group of receivers who collectively had problems gaining separation. And of course, Thorne had his problems with accuracy as well.

Best win: 27-13 over Mississippi State

The big SEC victory on Oct. 28 snapped a 4-game losing streak and got the Tigers back on the winning track. It ignited a 3-game conference win streak and gave Auburn some momentum at a time when it was reeling.

It was also the coming-out party for RB Jarquez Hunter, who rushed for 144 yards, the first of 3 consecutive 100-yard games for the talented back. And while Hunter was leading the ground game, Thorne got the passing game going with 230 yards through the air on 20 completions in 26 attempts and 3 TDs.

Asante led the defensive charges with 10 tackles, and Alex McPherson added a pair of field goals.

Worst loss: 31-10 to New Mexico State

The lopsided defeat to the C-USA team on Nov. 18 was a total embarrassment and completely inexplicable coming on the heels of a 3-game SEC win streak. Auburn was outplayed in all phases of the game and managed just 214 yards of total offense.

“(That was) about as disappointing as I’ve ever been in coaching with Saturday’s effort,” said Freeze. “It was an embarrassment, too. It can’t happen like that. It starts with me. I have to get our coaches and our players ready to play, and I obviously missed the mark tremendously. It’s frustrating and sickening to watch.”

New Mexico State scored on the opening possession and never trailed. The Tigers tied the game, 7-7, on a 32-yard TD pass from Thorne to Rivaldo Fairweather. But the Aggies scored the next 17 points to pull away.

Play of the Year: West Coast pick

When D.J. James picked off a California pass in the end zone in the waning seconds of the Sept. 9 game, it preserved a critical and impressive 14-10 road victory over the Bears in Berkeley.

It was an important victory for a team traveling more than halfway across the country with a new head coach and still searching for an identity.

Earlier in the 4th quarter, the Tigers erased a 10-7 deficit. With 6:31 remaining, Thorne threw 5 yards to Fairweather for the go-ahead score, and James’ late-game heroics made it stand.