It’s standard for a coach to say he and his team are only focused on the game in front of them – even when a lesser opponent followed by a not-so-lesser opponent is next on the schedule.

It’s coach speak.

Alabama’s Nick Saban said it of hosting Chattanooga this week. Auburn’s Hugh Freeze also said it of welcoming New Mexico State to Jordan-Hare Stadium this Saturday.

And while they both probably meant what they said, Freeze really, really means it.

“We won’t talk about the other team that you mentioned,” Freeze said when asked about playing Alabama in two weeks. “We’ll talk about the one we have right in front of us that could sting us. And I’ve experienced that before.”

It was Nov. 26, 2022 when Freeze’s Liberty football team hosted the New Mexico State Aggies at Liberty’s Williams Stadium. At the time, head coach Jerry Kill had New Mexico State sitting at 4-6 in his first year. Meanwhile, Freeze and the Flames boasted an 8-3 record heading into their regular season finale – a game that doubled as Freeze’s last at Liberty.

And whether it was the distraction that came with the speculation that Freeze was well on his way to The Plains to take the helm of Auburn’s football program or something else, the Flames went on to be extinguished that day as the Aggies secured a 49-14 win.

For that reason, Freeze isn’t just talking out the side of his neck when he says the Aggies have he and the Tigers’ full attention this week, despite the Iron Bowl looming large.

“We have more work to do and it starts this week with our return to Jordan-Hare and playing what I think’s one of the better Group of Five teams,” Freeze said of hosting New Mexico State during his Monday morning press conference. “They’ve gotten better and better and better as the year has progressed. I know Jerry Kill really well. He is one heck of a ball coach and he’ll have his guys ready.”

The Aggies will bring an 8-3 record and six-game win streak with them when they march into Jordan-Hare Stadium on Saturday.

They also come with quarterback Diego Pavia – maybe.

Kill said Tuesday that while Pavia practiced some, the Aggies’ starting quarterback is “day-to-day.” While Pavia’s injury wasn’t specified, local reporters speculate a hamstring injury after Pavia grabbed at his hamstring after a run play in the second quarter against Western Kentucky last week.

And if anyone knows the importance of Pavia’s availability, it’s Freeze.

During last year’s New Mexico State-Liberty game, Pavia produced video game-like numbers.

Against the Flames in 2022, Pavia passed for 214 yards on a 16-for-21 passing performance, which featured three touchdowns.

On the ground, Pavia was just as effective as he notched a 125-yard rushing performance, which featured another trio of touchdowns.

In short, Pavia was responsible for six scores during last year’s win at Liberty.

“Very talented quarterback. Extremely, extremely tough and mobile,” Freeze said of Pavia on Monday. “He’s a handful for sure. And they’re using him in a lot of ways, in a lot of motions and shifts and formations and they’ve got a really good plan and he can make a lot of things happen with his feet.”

This season, Pavia has passed for more than 2,200 yards, 19 touchdowns and six interceptions. On the ground, the junior quarterback stands as New Mexico State’s leading rusher just less than 300 yards as he’s rushed for 822 yards and five touchdowns.

“He’s shifty. He wants to make plays,” Auburn Jack linebacker Jalen McLeod said of Pavia. “He’s got almost 1,000 yards rushing and he’s got like what, 2,000 yards passing? He’s having a great year. Our biggest thing is definitely contain him.”

Fortunately, Auburn’s defense is just getting over a game that featured a mobile quarterback in Arkansas’ KJ Jefferson.

The Tigers sacked Jefferson five times in last week’s 48-10 win over the Razorbacks, putting Jefferson in “the boneyard.”

However, McLeod heeds that Jefferson and Pavia, while both athletic, hurt teams with their legs in different ways.

“It helps a lot but they’re completely different,” McLeod said Monday. “KJ wants to run you over, (Pavia) wants to make sure he jukes you and gets 10 more, 20 more yards… It’s one in the same, but different at the same time.”