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

3. Hugh Freeze has Auburn headed in the right direction

Losing a game that close is absolutely heartbreaking, especially when it comes at home. Jordan-Hare Stadium was ready to celebrate the win before Bowers and Georgia had their fourth-quarter surge.

Alongside the heartbreak, there has to be optimism. This program was in a dark place just a year ago under Bryan Harsin, a man who many consider the worst coach in program history. (Yes, even worse than Doug Barfield).

Fast-forward to today. The Tigers just took the number-one team in the nation down to the absolute wire. In a rivalry that has been totally lopsided in recent years, the game was close, competitive, and winnable until the end.

That is a tremendous sign for Auburn.

Freeze was already winning significant, five-star recruiting battles over Georgia and Alabama during the summer. The on-field results will take some time to catch up to those off-field results, but the seeds are being planted.

Games like Saturday, in which a large number of recruits were present, are huge for a rebuilding program.

If the Tigers are already going toe-to-toe with the reigning national champions, the ceiling is unbelievably high for the future.