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College Football Countdown: 5 Things That Could Derail Auburn’s Season

By Jake Mastroianni

Dec 30, 2015; Birmingham, AL, USA; Memphis Tigers linebacker Jackson Dillon (34) prepares to wrap up DUPLICATE***Auburn Tigers running back Jovon Robinson (29) in the 2015 Birmingham Bowl at Legion Field. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2015; Birmingham, AL, USA; Memphis Tigers linebacker Jackson Dillon (34) prepares to wrap up DUPLICATE***Auburn Tigers running back Jovon Robinson (29) in the 2015 Birmingham Bowl at Legion Field. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 30, 2014; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee (left) high-fives quarterback Jeremy Johnson (6) after a touchdown as head coach Gus Malzahn celebrates in the background against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports /

Offense Doesn’t Come Together

In Gus Malzahn’s first two seasons with Auburn the offense averaged 39.5 and 35.5 points per game, while posting 501.3 and 485 yards per game. In 2015 the offense averaged just 27.5 points and 370 yards a game.

Again, this can be directed back to the issues at quarterback, but even if Malzahn can’t find a duel-threat quarterback, he has to find a way to get this offense back to where it was the previous two seasons.

If healthy, the playmakers should be there at running back and wide receiver with the recruits Auburn brought in to catch the ball and make plays. If Malzahn doesn’t think he has the quarterback he needs to run this offense at its highest potential, then he needs to find a way to get others involved.

This guy is an “offensive genius” so it shouldn’t be too hard for him to find a way to move the ball without having a quarterback that can run. He’s had an entire offseason now to adjust and come up with plays to get the ball to his playmakers in space.

I don’t expect this team to get back where they were in 2013 when they put up almost 40 points a game, but if the offense can at least get back to averaging over 30 points a game I like Auburn’s chances of winning a few more games than last year because I think the defense will be improved as well.

However, if Malzahn continues to struggle with getting his offense to move the ball and score points, it’s going to be a long college football season for Auburn fans. I also think that would ensure the departure of Malzahn as he was brought on as someone who could score points, so if he can’t figure it out this year then he could be gone.

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I don’t expect these things to happen for Auburn this college football season, but you certainly have to prepare yourself for them. Injuries and mistakes are going to happen, but these are the ones that I think can’t happen if Auburn is going to reach their goals in 2016.

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