Bruce Pearl on Auburn’s Drop in AP Poll: “We’re in a Panic Mood, But We’ll Get Back to No. 1”

Bruce Pearl on Auburn’s Drop in AP Poll: “We’re in a Panic Mood, But We’ll Get Back to No. 1”

Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl isn’t one to shy away from speaking his mind, and after the latest AP Poll dropped the Tigers to No. 4, he made it clear that his team isn’t taking the slide lightly. Despite their dominant performances throughout the season, Auburn’s recent mistakes have cost them their No. 1 ranking—something Pearl says must be corrected immediately.

“We’re in a panic mood,” Pearl admitted. “We’ve been dominant, but our mistakes got the worse of us. Hopefully, we can get back to No. 1 and stay there, because that’s the target and the plan.”

Falling from the Top

Auburn had been riding high as one of the nation’s best teams, but a few missteps have seen them slip in the rankings. While Pearl didn’t downplay the frustration of losing the top spot, he emphasized that his team’s success has been built on playing together—and that’s what will get them back on top.

“We’re a better team together,” Pearl said. “When we play as one, when we trust each other, we’re as good as anybody in the country.”

Auburn’s Path Back to No. 1

Pearl’s goal is simple: reclaim the No. 1 spot and stay there. But that won’t happen without eliminating costly mistakes and maintaining the intensity that made them a dominant force. The Tigers will need to prove themselves in their upcoming matchups, showing that their recent struggles were just a bump in the road rather than a trend.

Despite the drop in the rankings, Pearl remains confident that Auburn has what it takes to reclaim its place at the top. And knowing his fiery leadership, don’t expect the Tigers to stay outside the No. 1 spot for long.