The Auburn Tigers have recruited at a level over the last two years under Hugh Freeze that they have really never done before in program history.

With the arrival of National Signing Day this week, Freeze locked up his second straight top-10 class to begin his tenure on The Plains. Attacking in-state prospects relentlessly and finding tremendous success, Freeze’s talent acquisition plan is working. There’s just one problem, and it’s a pretty big one.

The team isn’t winning football games.

With an 11-14 record over two seasons including a step back to 5-7 this year, the temperature is starting to rise as Freeze prepares for year three. ESPN SEC analyst Paul Finebaum spoke about Freeze’s status during a recent radio hit and said that recruiting isn’t going to save him if the team is bad again next season.

“Recruiting is one thing, and I know the hype machine is going crazy there,” Finebaum said on McElroy and Cubelic. “But in two or three weeks we’ll have a better look at the portal and recruiting and try to figure out what Hugh Freeze needs to do next year to save his job. Because he’s clearly on the hot seat.”

When you lose the vote of confidence from Finebaum, it can be a dangerous thing. Just ask Lane Kiffin.

For Freeze, the ability to bring in talented players is one thing. But if he can’t get Auburn to win on the field, it’s not going to be long before Auburn is searching for their third head coach in five years.

Michael Brauner is a Senior Sports Analyst and Contributing Writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @MBraunerWNSP and hear him every weekday morning from 6 to 9 a.m. on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5, available free online.