Hugh Freeze Guides Jackson Arnold for Emotional Return to Oklahoma

Auburn Tigers quarterback Jackson Arnold is gearing up for a highly anticipated and emotionally charged return to Norman, Oklahoma, where he will face his former team, the No. 11 Oklahoma Sooners, on Saturday, September 20, 2025. Head coach Hugh Freeze has taken on a dual role this week, serving not only as Arnold’s coach but also as a mentor to help the young quarterback navigate the complex emotions of returning to the place where his collegiate career began. This matchup, a significant SEC showdown, carries extra weight for Arnold, who transferred to Auburn after a challenging 2024 season with Oklahoma. Freeze’s guidance, rooted in his own experiences, and Arnold’s mental toughness are at the forefront as Auburn prepares for this critical road game.

Jackson Arnold’s Journey: From Oklahoma to Auburn

Jackson Arnold, a former five-star recruit in the 2023 class, was once heralded as the future of Oklahoma football. As a freshman, he waited in the wings behind Dillon Gabriel, but expectations were sky-high when he took over as the starting quarterback in 2024, Oklahoma’s inaugural season in the SEC. However, the season did not unfold as planned. The Sooners struggled through a 6-7 campaign, marking their worst offensive output since 1998. Arnold faced significant adversity, including being benched before halftime in the SEC opener against Tennessee and enduring an eight-sack game against South Carolina after being reinserted into the lineup. These challenges, coupled with a season of inconsistent performances, led Arnold to enter the transfer portal in December 2024, ultimately landing at Auburn.

At Auburn, Arnold has found a fresh start under Hugh Freeze’s leadership. Freeze, known for his ability to develop quarterbacks, saw potential in Arnold and offered him a chance to prove himself as the Tigers’ starting quarterback. Through the first three games of the 2025 season, Arnold has shown promise, seamlessly integrating into Auburn’s offensive system. Against Baylor in Week 1, he showcased his dual-threat ability, rushing for 137 yards. In Week 2 against Ball State, he displayed his passing prowess, completing 24 of 28 passes for 251 yards and three touchdowns. Overall, Arnold has accumulated 359 passing yards, 142 rushing yards, and three total touchdowns, contributing to Auburn’s impressive 2-0 start. His efficiency and versatility have been pivotal to the Tigers’ early success, setting the stage for a high-stakes matchup against Oklahoma.

The Emotional Weight of Returning to Norman

The upcoming game against Oklahoma is more than just a test of athletic skill for Jackson Arnold—it’s a deeply personal moment. Returning to Norman, where he played from 2023 to 2024, brings a flood of emotions. Arnold has acknowledged the difficulties of his sophomore season at Oklahoma, describing it as “not ideal whatsoever” and a “wake-up call” that tested his perseverance. Despite the challenges, he views his transfer to Auburn as a purposeful step, one that has allowed him to rediscover his confidence and swagger under Freeze’s guidance.

Hugh Freeze understands the emotional complexity of Arnold’s situation, having faced similar circumstances in his own coaching career. Freeze has coached at multiple programs, including Ole Miss and Liberty, and has had to return to face former teams in hostile environments. Drawing on this experience, he has been intentional about mentoring Arnold this week, holding conversations to help him manage the mental and emotional challenges of facing Oklahoma. “The good thing is that I’ve had personal experience with that,” Freeze said during a press conference. “I’ve had to go back in a place that I enjoyed coaching. Won some games. Had to go back in there and take another team in and play. That whole week, it was a challenge for me not to think about some of that.”

Freeze emphasized that Arnold’s maturity and professionalism will be key in handling the potential reactions from Sooner fans, whether they cheer or boo. “I know the same will be true for Jackson,” Freeze noted. “He’s very mature, and he doesn’t give any credit to any noise or talk. He’s a pro. We all understand people might cheer for him, boo him, whatever it is. I think he’s mentally strong and is more about preparing.” This confidence in Arnold’s mental toughness reflects Freeze’s belief that his quarterback can rise above the emotional noise and focus on the task at hand.

Freeze’s No-Nonsense Approach to Game Planning

While the narrative surrounding Arnold’s return to Oklahoma has generated significant buzz, Hugh Freeze has been clear about keeping his focus on the game itself. In his post-game press conference following Auburn’s 31-15 victory over South Alabama on September 13, 2025, Freeze dismissed the idea of relying on Arnold’s past experience with Oklahoma for any tactical advantage. “We haven’t really talked about that,” Freeze said when asked about gleaning inside information from Arnold. “We’ve talked about the stadium atmosphere and things of that nature. I’ve never been there. I assume that it’s going to be like an SEC stadium, and he confirmed that. How tight the benches are… As far as schematics, we’re going with what our breakdowns say and what we see on tape from this year.”

Freeze’s approach underscores his commitment to a disciplined game plan based on film study and current data rather than anecdotal insights from Arnold’s time at Oklahoma. This no-nonsense mentality is a hallmark of Freeze’s coaching philosophy, as he aims to prepare his team for the challenges of playing a ranked opponent on the road. Oklahoma, ranked No. 11, has been formidable in 2025, dominating their previous three opponents and holding a 3-0 all-time series lead over Auburn, including a 27-21 victory in 2024.

The Sooners’ home-field advantage at Gaylord Family Oklahoma-Memorial Stadium is another factor Freeze is preparing for. He acknowledges the difficulty of playing in such an environment, noting, “The noise won’t bother me at all. You can ask Jackson to respond to that. I’m not on much anymore, I don’t even know what happens very much, so the only noise that will bother me is what I see on tape that we’ve got to get prepared for to play a road game in this league, which is always difficult against a really good team.”

Arnold’s Performance and Auburn’s Strategy

Jackson Arnold’s performance will be critical to Auburn’s success against Oklahoma. His dual-threat capability gives the Tigers a dynamic offensive weapon, capable of exploiting defenses through both the air and on the ground. Freeze has tailored Auburn’s offensive scheme to maximize Arnold’s strengths, allowing him to make quick decisions and utilize his mobility when necessary. Against Ball State, Arnold’s 85.7% completion rate (24 of 28) demonstrated his accuracy and command of the passing game, while his 137 rushing yards against Baylor highlighted his ability to extend plays with his legs.

For the Oklahoma game, Freeze’s game plan will likely focus on creating opportunities for Arnold to succeed in a high-pressure environment. This includes designing plays that allow Arnold to stay composed under pressure, especially given Oklahoma’s aggressive defensive front, which sacked him eight times in their 2024 matchup. Freeze’s experience in developing quarterbacks like Bo Wallace at Ole Miss and Malik Willis at Liberty will be instrumental in ensuring Arnold is prepared for Oklahoma’s defensive schemes.

Defensively, Auburn will need to contend with Oklahoma’s potent offense, led by a talented roster that has contributed to their strong start in 2025. Freeze has emphasized the importance of a comprehensive game plan that gives both the offense and defense a chance to succeed. “That’s my total focus – finding a plan that gives him a chance and our offense and our defense a chance to have success in that environment against that team,” Freeze said.

The Bigger Picture: Auburn’s 2025 Season

Auburn’s 2-0 start to the 2025 season has generated optimism around the program. After defeating Baylor and Ball State, the Tigers faced South Alabama in Week 3, securing a 31-15 victory in their first-ever matchup against the in-state opponent. Now, as they prepare to face Oklahoma, Auburn is ranked No. 22, setting the stage for a critical test against a top-15 opponent. A win in Norman would not only boost Auburn’s standing in the SEC but also solidify Arnold’s place as the cornerstone of the Tigers’ offense.

For Hugh Freeze, this game is an opportunity to showcase his ability to lead Auburn back to prominence in the SEC. Since taking over as head coach, Freeze has focused on rebuilding the program through strategic transfers and player development. His decision to bring in Jackson Arnold has already paid dividends, and a strong performance against Oklahoma could further validate his vision for the Tigers.

 A Test of Resilience and Leadership

The Auburn-Oklahoma matchup on September 20, 2025, is more than just a game—it’s a defining moment for Jackson Arnold and Hugh Freeze. For Arnold, it’s a chance to prove his growth as a quarterback and leader, facing his former team in a hostile environment. For Freeze, it’s an opportunity to demonstrate his coaching acumen, guiding his quarterback through an emotionally charged game while executing a disciplined game plan against a formidable opponent.

As kickoff approaches at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC, all eyes will be on Arnold and how he handles the pressure of returning to Norman. With Freeze’s mentorship and Auburn’s talented roster, the Tigers are poised to make a statement in this SEC showdown. Whether Arnold is cheered or booed by Sooner fans, his focus remains on preparation and performance, embodying the resilience and maturity that Freeze has praised throughout the week. This game will test not only Arnold’s skills but also his ability to rise above the noise and lead Auburn to a potential upset victory.