USA Today: Bo Nix could prove he wasn’t chief problem for Bryan Harsin

USA Today’s Blake Toppmeyer said on his latest ‘Topp Rope‘ that Bo Nix thriving with Oregon, the school he transferred to in order to reunite with his freshman year offensive coordinator on the Plains Kenny Dillingham, would prove that he wasn’t the chief problem for Bryan Harsin during his first season in Auburn.

Anybody that watched the Tigers last season already knew that, though. While Nix wasn’t always accurate, oftentimes airmailing deep balls, he was frequently on the run due to blown pass protection. And that’s before we even get into all of the dropped passes that we saw particularly during the Georgia game.

Nix’s injury against Mississippi State was followed by three straight losses with T.J. Finley under center, and all three games were close. It’s arguable that Nix could have been the impetus for Auburn getting over the top against South Carolina, Houston, and (unquestionably) Alabama.

If anything, Nix was a strength for the Tigers, leading them to massive wins in Baton Rouge, Fayetteville, and against Lane Kiffin’s 10-win Ole Miss Rebels at home to move their record to 6-2 last October.

Toppmeyer admitted that if Nix was still with Auburn, he’d likely be QB1 instead of T.J. Finley, and it’s possible (if not likely) that Robby Ashford and Zach Calzada would have never chosen the Tigers as a transfer destination:

"“If Nix dazzles when No. 12 Oregon plays No. 3 Georgia on Saturday (2:30 p.m. CT, ABC), Auburn will be forced to reckon with an uncomfortable reality: Nix wasn’t the chief problem during Bryan Harsin’s debut, and he probably would remain AU’s top quarterback had he not transferred.”"

Bo Nix struggled against Georgia during his three starts for Auburn

Bo Nix has a bone to pick with the Dawgs. Through his three starts against Georgia from 2019-2021, Nix threw for 639 yards and had one touchdown to two interceptions at a 56% completion rate to go along with seven sacks by the Bulldogs defense.

It hasn’t been an easy run for Nix, but Mario Cristobal built up his trenches before bolting for the Miami job. Former Georgia defensive coordinator Dan Lanning now inherits that offensive line, and figures to know a thing or two about UGA’s defensive schemes.