Heading into the Birmingham Bowl, Auburn football’s offense will be taken over by first-year head coach Bryan Harsin in the absence of former offensive coordinator Mike Bobo. The program announced last week that current Seattle Seahawks quarterbacks coach Austin Davis will replace Bobo on the Plains, but the timeline is a little complicated due to the ongoing NFL season.
While this will be Bryan Harsin’s first time officially calling the plays for Auburn football, he has plenty of offensive coordinator experience from his days at Texas and Boise State. Even when Davis arrives on the Plains, Harsin will likely remain in charge of playcalling, so the bowl game will be a chance for the team to get an early glimpse of what the offense will look like next season.
Although things aren’t completely changing because Harsin obviously had a hand in Bobo’s offensive schemes, quarterback TJ Finley elaborated on some of the differences, per Auburn Live:
"“I can honestly say he’s always had his hand on the offense. Now that he’s 100 percent in control, the only real difference is the tempo. Coach Harsin likes an upbeat type of offense, which I love. Getting guys lined up, shifts and motions, things of that nature, getting them crisp, lining up and getting guys on the move. That’s the only real difference. As an offense, we’re doing a great job of adapting to the change that’s happening.”"
Finley is expected to be the official starter against Houston on December 28, but true freshman quarterback Dematrius Davis will reportedly get to take some snaps in the bowl game, as well. Per 247 Sports, Finley is confident in his role as QB1 in the Birmingham Bowl:
"“These guys have seen me in live action,” Finley said. “These guys trust me. They communicate well with me, and they allow me to do my job and communicate to them what I see on and off the field, and things of that nature. I think the guys have responded well to me stepping in and being the quarterback of the team. As a team, we collectively got together, and we’re making it happen.”"
Auburn football fans will get to see their first look at the Tigers’ offense under the control of Bryan Harsin on December 28 at 11:00 a.m. central.