Auburn football is gearing up for its season opener against Baylor, just one week away.

With ongoing position battles among linebackers, safeties, and running backs still raising questions, Freeze says he's playing the best performers in practice to prepare for next week's game.

"We're still going good-on-good, so it's not like we haven't broken up and gone scout teams yet," Freeze said Monday. "But I think, right now, keeping the speed of the game up's important -- and the physicality of it. We serviced each other, and then we'll start kind of really breaking this down to a true scout period heading into the weekend."

After three weeks of fall camp, here are three areas of concern ahead of the Tigers first game Aug. 29.

In the last two weeks of camp, Auburn's offensive line protection against the defense has become a growing concern for Freeze.

The Tigers coach has raved about his quarterback's ability to extend plays despite blowing the whistle early in practice settings.

"I think it's more of the pocket passing right now that we're a little unsure of," Freeze added. "I've always felt like this in fall camp, hopefully harder on the offense than it will be later in games."

Freeze credited his defense athleticism for testing the offense throughout camp. However, the consistency level has been shaky in scrimmage settings.

"I think we have to strain harder. We expect more out of this group then to get beat in some one-on-ones," Freeze said. "Now, I hope that means some of our edge guys are pretty dang good. We'll see."

Mason Murphy, Jeremiah Wright, Connor Lew, Dillon Wade and Xavier Chaplin have consistently made up the first team offensive line during preseason camp.

Baylor returns two key defensive starters in defensive lineman Jackie Marshall and linebacker Keaton Thomas. Thomas was the Bears' leading tackler in 2024 with 114 tackles, the most in one season for Baylor since Bryce Hager in 2012.

A position battle that's received less attention than most on the roster is at tight end.

Brandon Fraizer got the early first team runs during the spring period and transfer Preston Howard took over the majority of them during camp.

Fraizer and Howard are great in the Tigers passing attack. However, both players have struggled with blocking in the run game.

Former offensive lineman Tate Johnson switched positions to tight end and assist on certain run plays to block.

Freeze says that still limits the offense in certain schemes.

"[Preston Howard] knows how to work the top end of routes. He's got really good hands. [Brandon Frazier] does too," Freeze said. "I think in the run game, we've got to be more physical. Our pad level has to be better, and [Tate Johnson] is helping us some with that. But also, you're a bit limited when that's the case."

"It's not like we're going to ask Tate to run a 13-yard dig and win on somebody," Freeze continued. "I think people will know that. Nothing against Tate, but that's really not his skill set."

Given the Tigers' poor kicking performance last season, this group will be closely watched heading into the 2025 season.

Special team's coordinator Chad Lunsford said this position battle could see multiple kickers playing throughout the course of the season.

"I think we've got a really good battle going on between [Alex McPherson], [Towns McGough] and [Connor Gibbs]. Hard to say who's probably in the lead right now, but I would say Alex and Towns have probably put themselves in position," Lunsford said. "If we need to play three guys, we'll play three guys. If we need to play two guys, we'll play two guys."

Freeze is set to address the media Monday afternoon for the final time before Friday's kickoff at Baylor.