Auburn football: 3 takeaways from heartbreaking loss to No. 1 Georgia

Auburn football had a chance to take down top-ranked Georgia on Saturday, but the Tigers fell short in the final minutes. Here’s what we learned from the 127th edition of The Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry.

1. Payton Thorne struggled again

It’s clear that, at the quarterback position, Hugh Freeze is just trying to make things work in 2023. Neither Payton Thorne nor Robby Ashford are a reliable every-down option for the Tigers, and it’s arguably the biggest hole on the team.

Thorne was 10-of-19 for just 82 yards and an interception on the day. He had a few big runs, totaling 92 yards on 12 carries, but it didn’t make up for his poor passing day, in which he missed several reads that ended up leading to sacks.

Ashford’s limitations are well-documented, but he did run the ball well, four times for 33 yards and a touchdown.

Still, Thorne has the biggest role of the two, and he hasn’t played at the level needed to win games like this.

Through five games, it’s clear Auburn will need a change at the position in the future. The transfer portal could be a solution in the offseason, and freshman and former four-star recruit Holden Geriner is currently waiting his turn and getting to know the offense.

Whatever direction the Tigers go next year, it’s getting tougher and tougher to imagine Thorne being a part of the picture.