Auburn’s offensive attack continues to improve and Saturday’s first half just might have been the best this offense has looked all season long.
It was a rough start for this offense in the first three weeks of the season. They weren’t necessarily bad against Georgia Southern and Mercer but eight turnovers in those games resulted in closer scores longer than Auburn fans wanted to see. It also just wasn’t pretty. Then there was the trip east to Clemson where Auburn’s offense absolutely imploded and wasted another outstanding performance by their defense. When Mercer made it a 7 point game in the 4th quarter, Auburn fans were ready to not only jump off the Gus Bus but set it on fire and send it careening off a cliff.
But then there was that delightful trip to Columbia, MO. An oasis for ailing offenses. Kerryon Johnson returned to the lineup and Jarrett Stidham was set loose on that poor secondary. The result was a feel good beatdown and some confidence heading into what was supposed to be a battle with a hard nosed Mississippi State team.
That’s when things got really fun. Auburn’s offense was as explosive as ever with 7 plays combining for 361 yards of offense and two touchdowns. All the right buttons were being pressed at the right times and Mississippi State’s defense was noticeably off balance. But Saturday’s first half just might have been the best offensive half of football Auburn has played this season. The Tigers scored touchdowns on their first five drives, effectively ending this game before halftime. It was fun to watch. But more importantly it showed what this attack can look like when the majority of it’s weapons are healthy and being used properly. Let’s take a closer look.
Improved Rushing Attack
First off, Ole Miss’s defense is really bad. According to Bill Connelly’s numbers, S&P+ ranks the Rebel defense 91st in the country. That’s not very good. However, that doesn’t invalidate Saturday’s results as it wasn’t the result itself that was encouraging, but how and why Auburn’s rushing attack worked so well Saturday. To understand that, we need to understand what had been going wrong. I have talked about this a lot in previous weeks but just to refresh your memory, here’s the three main things that have been causing Auburn’s rushing attack problems.1.) Overloaded boxes
2.) Offensive line unable to get to the 2nd level
3.) Injuries at running back
Saturday, all three of those problems were corrected and the result was a dominant rushing attack that compiled 326 yds on 31 carries resulting in a very nice average of 6.4 yards per carry.
Let’s start with the math component. Here’s what the typical box looked like against Clemson.
AU starting to get more favorable numbers in the box which is another reason running game as improved http://bit.ly/2kHZzhh— AUNerd (@AUSportsNerd) October 9, 2017
Watch Stidham's eyes. Looks left first which brings other safety away from MOF. Then comes back to Hastings for TD http://bit.ly/2fQs4bi— AUNerd (@AUSportsNerd) October 3, 2017
But it’s not just having better numbers, it’s also about executing your blocking scheme. Auburn’s offensive line has been a work in progress this season but there’s been a noticeable improvement in recent weeks. A big part of that has been Casey Dunn’s emergence at center allowing Austin Golson to move out to left tackle and keep Braden Smith inside at guard. A chemistry is starting to form which has allowed this offense to do a better job executing combo blocks which in turn open up bigger opportunities for Auburn’s running backs. Kerryon Johnson’s longest TD of the day is a great example of that improvement.
Better angle of the masterpiece. Motion along with KJs first steps pull #43 out of his gap. Everyone does their job http://bit.ly/2xzQJZe— AUNerd (@AUSportsNerd) October 10, 2017
Finally, you can have favorable numbers and great blocking but you still need someone to actually run the ball with authority. Kamryn Pettway was far from 100% against Clemson and Mercer and it showed. Kerryon Johnson has still been somewhat hobbled the last two weeks. However, Saturday gave us a glimpse at what this rushing attack could be with a healthy KJ.
Amazing how much more respect jet sweep gets these days. At least 3 OM defenders sucked in. Big time run by KJ http://bit.ly/2kIhwMG— AUNerd (@AUSportsNerd) October 9, 2017
Playing Under Duress
Speaking of getting better each week, Jarrett Stidham has come a long way from that first night in Jordan-Hare Stadium when he looked gun-shy and at times overwhelmed by the speed of the game. Each week he has improved but against Ole Miss I saw something that I have not seen much from Stidham this season, coolness under pressure.Stidham was so much better under duress Saturday. Important improvement. Martin's pass blocking uh.. needs some work http://bit.ly/2xy173P— AUNerd (@AUSportsNerd) October 10, 2017
Stidham was even creating plays when things weren’t there, something he hasn’t really done all season long.
Again Stidham was making plays outside of the pocket Saturday. Always seemed under control and unphased http://bit.ly/2xzaW1p— AUNerd (@AUSportsNerd) October 10, 2017
It wasn’t just getting outside the pocket that was encouraging, it was also watching Stidham step up and deliver strikes even when a rusher was bearing down on him.
Finally use Barrett tendency against D. Watch #3 get sucked in. Great job by Stidham standing tall under pressure http://bit.ly/2xy187T— AUNerd (@AUSportsNerd) October 10, 2017
About that 2nd Half
I know a lot of people are very frustrated with how that second half played out. I feel you, so was I. However, on rewatch I am not as angry at the coaching staff as I was Saturday. The 3rd quarter especially was fine as playcalling is concerned but it appeared Jarrett Stidham had checked out. After going 9 for 11 in the first half, Stidham was only 3 for 8 in the 3rd quarter and a lot of those were misfires or him trying to get way too much on a play instead of taking what the defense gave him. It should be a great teaching moment for the sophomore and hopefully next time he gets the chance to close a game out he takes full advantage.The fourth quarter though should have been handled differently in my opinion. I really wish Auburn had set Malik Willis free and allowed him to run the offense. Not saying he needed to be chucking it deep but it could have been a great opportunity for him to get some good experience running the offense. He looked good in the few chances he got Saturday.
Finally, don’t worry about the defense. Ole Miss scored 13 points in garbage time against Auburn’s second and third team. The first team Ole Miss offense moved the ball pretty well at times against Auburn’s first team defense but that was because Kevin Steele was going to give them everything they wanted underneath. The Tigers ran a lot more zone and two high safety looks against the Rebels than they have all season long. Why? Because when Ole Miss has typically scored this season it’s been on long plays. When the field shortens, they actually become less dangerous as seen by the fact they rank 6th in offensive explosiveness but 87th in points per trip inside the 40 yard line. Auburn’s defensive game plan was to let them hit those quick routes all day if they wanted too but not allow them to have that big play over the top for a touchdown. It worked as Auburn’s first team defense held the Ole Miss offense to 10 points. Expect a return to a more aggressive scheme this week against LSU.
Life has changed for the good when we are mad about not beating a team by 30+ points instead of 20+ points.
Touchdown Auburn
Auburn’s fifth and final touchdown came with 6:38 left in the first half. That’s the definition of starting a game fast....Watch Cox on this play. Outstanding job against an end. Also watch how long it takes LBs to move http://bit.ly/2xy18EV— AUNerd (@AUSportsNerd) October 9, 2017
What Dunn does on this play is not easy. Hell of a job. Outstanding effort from NCM & Hastings as well http://bit.ly/2kG0gbc— AUNerd (@AUSportsNerd) October 9, 2017
Great read by Stidham to see blitzing S & throw fade to Slayton. Nice to see 81 back on the field. He's a playmaker http://bit.ly/2xyCRhF— AUNerd (@AUSportsNerd) October 10, 2017
Bo Jackson, your thoughts?
Bo knows touchdowns http://bit.ly/2kI0Xk3— AUNerd (@AUSportsNerd) October 10, 2017
The OL execution on this play is a thing of beauty. Huge props to Darius James on this one http://bit.ly/2xzImwC— AUNerd (@AUSportsNerd) October 10, 2017
Somehow OM doesn't have enough defenders on strong side to defend this play... Easy TD http://bit.ly/2xxHQiR— AUNerd (@AUSportsNerd) October 10, 2017
Death Valley Part 2
Auburn has taken care of business the last three weeks and will now gear up for 3 straight road trips in the SEC. First up is a place Auburn has not had much success in, something I am sure you won’t hear mentioned much this week or in the broadcast...This isn’t your typical LSU team. The Tigers were able to steal one in Gainesville but it wasn’t exactly a stellar performance. In fact, based on how the game played out they had a 24% win expectancy but a missed extra point proved the difference. It’s a team that is beat up on both of their lines and whose top two expected stars just haven’t looked right all year long. Everything about this game screams an Auburn victory.
But this is Baton Rouge where dumb things happen. I won’t for a second take this game for granted until the clock hits zero. Auburn should and honestly must win this game but I would not be shocked if that Bayou voo doo played tricks on us again. Here’s to hoping we put an end to this dumb streak and continue punishing LSU for letting the Mad Hatter go.
War Eagle!
from College and Magnolia http://bit.ly/2kILxME
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