Auburn football had its worst showing of the Alex Golesh era in Week 8 against LSU.
The high from the "fluke win" over Georgia that Paul Finebaum called it may, in fact, have created the very "relief syndrome" that Lane Kiffin spoke about at his presser last Monday.
Today, Golesh and other coaches addressed the media, looking as if the wind had been taken out of their sails. With every question answered, Golesh looked down, then let out a sigh or two.
It is what some call "defeated syndrome," and it can spread and overtake a season fast in today's landscape.
There have already been problems with having to dismiss players from the team to keep the culture intact. But there have been many expectations ever since Golesh came into SEC Media Days promising a violent team.
Looking forward to a potentially rough matchup against Pete Golding's Ole Miss defense, Golesh might have to do something he doesn't want to do.
Dave Aranda's Baylor firing can be blueprint for Auburn with Joel Gordon
Former Baylor head coach Dave Aranda was fired after blowing a 21-10 lead against Kansas this past Saturday. His removal was to fix a defense that was losing its spark.
Perhaps AU's offense could be fixed with a similar solution.
Offensive coordinator Joel Gordon, who is catching all the flak for the offense being inoperable, didn't look any better when he answered a lot of his questions with his head down. And as he should over how the last four weeks have gone. Byrum Brown hasn't thrown for over 170 yards in four consecutive weeks. The offense has looked completely lost and confused ever since falling short to Florida with a spirited late comeback attempt.
The run game has been just as bad. Yes, they have gotten over 100 yards in every game except for LSU. But there has been zero consistency in the use of the running backs. Jeremiah Cobb and Omar Mabson II have struggled trying to block for Brown as he scrambles from a collapsing pocket. Bryson Washington hasn't had a carry since the Southern Miss game. I am not sure what they are even doing with him.
Gordon doesn't need to be fired tomorrow, but I will be the first one to say that, at the very least, his playcalling abilities have to be taken away.
This weekend, Golesh has to take the reins of this offense versus the Rebels. Or, if he lets Gordon call plays at the beginning of the game and it all goes to the birds, he has to step in and take control.
There are no more excuses for this kind of failure, especially after the Georgia win.
If Baylor has to be a blueprint to follow, then so be it.
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