With the Auburn Tigers not having the start to conference play they would have liked, they have been met with a considerable amount of criticism, particularly Jackson Arnold.

Despite not leading the offense to the success that would be ideal on the scoreboard, head coach Hugh Freeze highlighted the ability Arnold has to take care of the ball.

“We’ve talked about that because he’s done an incredible job of taking care of the football," Freeze said. "Truthfully, when we watch the film together, I’d love for him to be a little freer, particularly with the playmakers that we have. And there’s times, I think, he probably would be if we could hold up just maybe another half a second or a second."

Freeze also mentioned how Arnold's careful handling of the ball has kept the Tigers in these games, despite them not finding their way into the win column.

"You want to take care of the football first and foremost, and him doing that as poorly as we’ve played still kept us in a game and gave us a chance to win so there’s a lot of positives from that, but certainly don’t want him to play out of any fear," Freeze said. "Hopefully after our meetings throughout last week and through the game planning this week, maybe he’ll be a little more freer to give our kids a chance.”

Freeze acknowledged how Arnold shows a mix of free and restricted play during practice. He wants the staff to put him in a position to play more free and help deliver better passes to the Tigers' receiving unit.

“A mixture, to be candid," Freeze said. "If you’re talking skelly, free as can be, if you’re talking the other, it pretty much a bunch mirrors the game when it’s good on good. First progression and second progression are pretty good, then he becomes a little hesitant. But we’re working through that, believing him strongly still. I’ve got to do a better job, along with Kent (Austin) and Jesse (Stone), of coaching him to be freer and when our guys are in some one-on-ones, give them a chance with catchable balls.”

After a timely bye week, Auburn returns to action against No. 10 Georgia at 6:30 p.m. CT on Saturday. ESPN will carry the broadcast.