Auburn football: Hey, it’s time we have serious discussions about this offense

Saturday the Auburn football team fell to Mississippi State, 23-9. While suffering a series of miscues such as a muffed punt and several fumbles, the Tigers failed to score a single touchdown.

Saturday marked the third consecutive game that Auburn rushed for less than 100 yards, a first for any Auburn offense since 1999. The offense was so inefficient that it was only on the field for 18:07 of the game, while the defense carried the load for the other 41:53.

Fans are irate, and rightfully so with blame being placed at the feet of coaches, players and even officials.

Word to the wise: don’t ever play to the level that leaves the game in the hands of the officials, which is what Auburn did. It’s time to have a serious conversation about this offense.

Let’s begin with the line, shall we?

The offensive line is coached by J.B. Grimes, but  was recruited by Herb Hand. Grimes has inherited a complete mess. Young and inexperienced, there is absolutely no cohesion with this line. Every play the offensive line is dominated, and when only two of your front seven have the ability to consistently block, any offensive scheme you have dialed up as a coach is proven to blow up in your face as well as your quarterback’s.

How did Jarrett Stidham go from top NFL prospect to the level he’s playing at now?

No 1: His offensive line. The offensive line is so bad at blocking that on almost every offensive snap, coverage is completely blown allowing at least five defenders to rush Stidham. Usually instead of taking the sack, Stidham will throw the ball away or roll out to the left.

No 2: We are not dealing with the same Stidham we saw last season, possibly as a result of No 1. Saturday night Stidham was 19-of-38 passing — woof. The most soul-crushing incompletion came when Stidham overthrew a wide open Darius Slayton for a go-ahead Auburn touchdown.

The most explosive play Auburn displayed on offense Saturday night came from running back JaTarvious Whitlow on a 42-yard run to the plane of the goal line where he fumbled the ball into the end zone for a Mississippi State touchback. The play was reviewed and stood as called, infuriating many Auburn fans who claim the officials “stole” a touchdown. Once again, don’t ever play to the level that leaves the game in the hands of the officials. Whitlow was not the only running back to fumble the ball. Kam Martin also lost the ball on a carry.

Auburn’s recent play-calling can only be described as lousy, predictable and illogical. In the second half Saturday night, Auburn reached Mississippi State’s 6-yard line where Stidham proceeded to throw three incomplete passes and Auburn settled for a field goal to make it a one-score game. On its next possession, Auburn reached Mississippi State’s 30 and Stidham threw three more incomplete passes, one of them being on fourth-and-7 where Auburn opted to go for it instead of kicking a field goal.

Auburn football is what it is right now and it’s not good. With an offense regressing worse and worse each week, everyone is left questioning at what point does this championship caliber defense just get completely worn down? Shades of weathering have already been seen on the defense and not one of those guys can Auburn afford to lose.

In summary, the responsibility falls squarely on the shoulders of Gus Malzahn, Chip Lindsey, J.B. Grimes and the entirety of the offense. Personnel changes must be made to this offense starting with the offensive line. If a player cannot block then they have no business being on the line, they are at no point helping and are simply a liability. If fixing the line doesn’t solve your quarterback’s control issue then you must opt for a different quarterback. Lastly, discipline and fundamentals go a long way. There is not a Kerryon or Cadillac on this team, so you’re going to have to put the ball in someone who runs fast, smart and tactfully all while maintaining possession of the ball.