‘I’m sick of seeing that quarterback’: Hugh Freeze preparing Auburn for familiar challenge in Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia

Hugh Freeze is quite familiar with Diego Pavia.

The Auburn football coach has had a front-row seat to college footballs most recent darling the Vanderbilt quarterback whos led the Commodores to a win over then-top-ranked Alabama, and near-victories over two teams who were then in top-10 status each of the past two seasons.

Both times, Pavia and his team have gotten the better of Freeze.

He and New Mexico State beat Freezes last Liberty team, in Lynchburg no less, and the same program came to the Plains last fall and pulled off a shocking upset, handling the Tigers for a 31-10 victory.

Considering the circumstance, Freeze thinks hes maybe a little too familiar with Pavia.

Im sick of seeing that quarterback, Freeze said with a grin Monday.

Ive had enough of him.

What a competitor he is, and the job that (Vanderbilt coach) Clark Lea and his staff have done there, to be in the games and have a chance to win all the games.

Theyre playing against the nations elite.

Its just so impressive.

Freezes familiarity with one of the nations most exciting passers is set to grow this weekend.

After his teams much-needed win at Kentucky over the weekend, Freeze and Auburn return to Jordan-Hare Stadium this weekend for the first time in a month, and theyll be hosting Vanderbilt at 11:45 a.m.

CDT Saturday.

To stack a pair of Southeastern Conference wins would be a relief for Auburn.

But thats somewhat understating it.

If the Tigers want to see the postseason, its something theyll need to do.

That is, if they can figure out a formula to stop Pavia.

That is a formula that has eluded several SEC programs, even those that have managed to beat the Commodores.

In four conference games, Pavia has completed 67.8% of his pass attempts, has averaged 7.9 passing yards per attempt, and hes also thrown eight touchdowns to three interceptions.

Whats even scarier for Freeze and Auburn is that Pavias numbers only get better against Freeze.

Its a small sample size, but in two games against Freeze teams, Pavia has a 35-for-49 passing clip, hes averaged 8.5 yards per pass attempt, and hes thrown six touchdowns and rushed for three more without any turnovers.

It doesn't leave much room for creativity when it comes to how Freeze will motivate the Tigers for a daunting matchup.

We're just going to tell them the truth, Freeze said.

We've got some good cut-ups from their team.

They play extremely hard and with extra effort.

Not just him (Pavia).

I've got some good clips to show our defense that this is what you're up against, now.

Defensive ends get knocked on the ground and then run and make a tackle on the other side of the field for a 6-yard gain.

Their effort is phenomenal.

His toughness and leadership and grittiness if they don't know it, they will after today, when they see the tapes and hear our defensive staff saying that (Pavia) requires you to play assignment football on every play.

We won't talk much about last year.

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