Auburn defeated Tulane 24-6 in what could only be described as an uninspired game of football. Here is the good, the bad, and the ugly.
“A win is a win,” that’s what everyone says. If that Auburn football win was somewhat of a struggle then it’ll be all Tiger fans can think about for the next week. That’s exactly where we are right now. Let’s discuss.
The Good: Auburn’s defense
It goes without even saying. This group is the most exciting unit on the field. For perspective: this defense held the same Oregon offense that scored 77 points on Saturday to just 21 points. They also nearly shut out a Tulane team that’s projected to win their conference. Auburn’s defense ranks first in the SEC for opponents’ third down conversion rates. Saturday Tulane only converted two third downs and the Tigers forced four three-and-outs. DE Marlon Davidson who was dominant on third down said that while three-and-outs are awesome they would like to focus more on stopping second down yardage.
Auburn’s Marlon Davidson pic.twitter.com/Cwjuu9HzDP
— The UMP (@UMPsports) September 8, 2019
The Bad: Auburn’s offensive line and the run game
Stop me if you think that you’ve heard this one before. Auburn’s offensive line can’t seem to get enough push to protect the run game and rotation at running back is sketchy. If you didn’t know it was 2019 you’d think that analysis came from last October, but it held true Saturday night too. RB1 JaTarvious Whitlow rushed for 96 yards but had three fumbles, an issue that plagued him last season. What’s unusual is that the run game was almost invisible in the first half. Auburn passed nearly 30 times and the focus was fixated on Auburn’s wide receiving corps.
Bo Nix is great at keeping play alive in the pocket, but he ran for his life an awful lot on Saturday.
Auburn football: Hey, its time we have serious discussions about this offense
Auburn's interior offensive line got beat a lot last night. Bo Nix backpedals to get enough time to go to his check down. Moves the chains on third down. Underrated play. pic.twitter.com/U17b3D2E0c
— Zac Blackerby (@Zblackerby) September 8, 2019
The Ugly: Punt coverage
Auburn officially ranks last among all FBS schools in punt return defense. The Tigers are allowing an average of 35.80 yards per punt. That is worse than last week and this is not a time for regression.
Football: Auburns Special Teams is Keeping Me up at Night
Here’s looking ahead to Kent State, folks. War Eagle.