Greg McElroy accuses AP voters of disrespecting Auburn in preseason poll

Auburn Feeling Snubbed: Analyst Calls Out AP Poll

The Associated Press' annual Preseason Top 25 poll kicked off college football season, placing Texas at the top and solidifying Big Ten powerhouses Penn State and defending national champion Ohio State as serious contenders. But for teams left out of the initial rankings, it can feel like a personal slight. ESPN analyst Greg McElroy, former Alabama quarterback, took aim at the AP voters Monday during his podcast "Always College Football with Greg McElroy," specifically calling out Auburn's perceived disrespect.

The Case for Auburn

"The other team I feel is really being slept on is Auburn," McElroy stated, pointing to last year's five-interception games against Cal and Arkansas, along with one-score losses against Oklahoma and at Missouri. "It’s just, there’s no way (Auburn) can be as snakebit as they were last year." He acknowledged that teams like Nebraska have experienced similar struggles but believes Auburn's potential this season is far greater.

The Tigers finished 5-7 overall and 2-6 in the SEC last season, missing bowl eligibility for the second time in three years under head coach Hugh Freeze. However, McElroy highlights Auburn's significant offseason improvements, including landing the No. 7 overall transfer class of 2025, according to the On3 | Rivals Industry Team Transfer Portal Rankings. Key additions include quarterback Jackson Arnold (Oklahoma) and receiver Eric Singleton (Georgia Tech).

Addressing Last Year's Shortcomings

McElroy emphasizes how Auburn addressed its weaknesses from last season. "They had challenges at quarterback, they were inconsistent at wide receiver, they were inconsistent on the offensive line," he explained. "The offensive line has been solidified... They bring in a game-breaker in Eric Singleton from Georgia Tech. So that group has immediately gone from a middle-tier group in the SEC to one of the top groups in the SEC at the wide receiver spot."

He acknowledges potential concerns at running back due to depth issues but believes the team's overall improvements outweigh any setbacks.

"Way Too Far Down"

McElroy concluded his analysis by stating, “To me is way too far (down). I think Auburn has a chance to be a Top 25 team... Especially with the pieces that’ve improved from last year to this year."