The 2018 season opener is weeks away and Auburn football fans should be paying close attention to what coach Gus Malzahn is saying about this year’s Tigers.
Or better yet, they should take notice of what he’s not saying.
Malzahn never has been one to offer up more than what’s absolutely necessary. So the fact that he’s kept things tight this fall is not new.
But after the last three seasons, the last thing anyone wants to hear from Malzahn is how prepared, how ready this team is for Washington on Sept. 1.
- In the 2015 season opener against Louisville, Auburn led 24-0 in the third quarter but unraveled in the second half and held on for a 31-24 win. The following week, it took overtime (Auburn scored a TD with 39 seconds to force OT) to beat FCS Jacksonville State. So it came as little surprise that the Tigers lost the next two weeks against LSU and Mississippi State and finished the season 7-6.
- In the 2016 season opener against Clemson, five players took snaps at quarterback in a head-scratching offensive display and Auburn lost, 19-13.
- Then last season, after beating Georgia Southern in the season opener, Auburn faced Clemson again and Jarrett Stidham was sacked 11 times. Auburn managed 117 total yards on 66 plays. That’s 1.8 yards per play.
So let’s hope Malzahn continues updating reporters on the offensive line competition and how things are stacking up at running back (and maybe a few comments on adding Baylor and UCLA to future schedules). After Wednesday’s scrimmage, Malzahn discussed the kicking and punting game, said his team would do some situational work in the final two practices before classes start and he spoke about Auburn greats Takeo Spikes and Charles Barkley addressing the team.
He even said that for fun, “We’ll do a movie night, we’ll have a rookie night, they always like that. I think a little bowling stuff, too.”
That’s the equivalent of Will Farrell’s Frank the Tank character in Old School telling the young guys at Mitch-a-palooza that he can’t have a drink because he has a big Saturday planned with his wife. “We’re going to go to Home Depot. Yeah, buy some wallpaper, maybe get some flooring, stuff like that. Maybe Bed, Bath, & Beyond, I don’t know, I don’t know if we’ll have enough time,” he said.
Low key. Uneventful.
That’s the way Auburn football should be right now. Don’t tell me that the team is ready. Don’t tell me that the offense looks ready to play a top-10 team. Don’t tell me the defense looks in midseason form. I don’t want to hear that. Not one bit — and you shouldn’t, either.
Instead, I want to see it. I want to see on-field results out of the gate like we saw in 2004 when Auburn outscored opponents 151-36 in starting 5-0 on its way to a perfect season.
Talking creates expectations; letting your performance on the field do the talking creates championships.