Auburn’s starting quarterback has had an up-and-down tenure with the Tigers, but beating Alabama would secure his legacy in the program.

That loss was also Thorne's fifth-straight start. He was benched in favor of redshirt freshman Hank Brown for Auburn's Week 3 win against New Mexico after Thorne threw four interceptions in the Tigers' loss to Cal the week prior.

"Most of it's been about just the the mental toughness that he and I have kind of endured together to get through a lot of things," Freeze said.

Auburn football only rushed two players on Alabama's fourth-and-31 touchdown during the Iron Bowl. Hugh Freeze explained why Monday.

Hugh Freeze 's Iron Bowl legacy is rather brief. But in just the one game he's coached against the Alabama Crimson Tide, his Auburn football team dropped a heartbreaker. It's not one many Auburn fans likely want to recall.

Struggling Auburn Tigers quarterback Payton Thorne is battling a sore shoulder, and Hugh Freeze may pounce on the opportunity to make a change.