Auburn's initial Week 11 SEC availability report did not include offensive lineman Tai Buster, who was injured before the 2026 college football season started and has been absent for the Tigers' nine games thus far.
Buster's return against Mississippi State opens the door for one familiar rotation habit that's persisted this fall:
Coach Alex Golesh is about to introduce more offensive line combinations in Starkville, since he's yet to find one that enables a strong running game outside of unplanned quarterback scrambles.
Buster has versatility at tackle and guard on both sides of the center. Golesh is sure to try him out across the line in the final three games, with the Samford game, the home finale, likely seeing multiple combinations. He might be eased back into action against the Bulldogs.
The question is whether Golesh goes with his most veteran-laden group for the Iron Bowl or tries to pivot, since the line has been filled with so many struggles this season. Some guys, like center Cole Best, have locked down roles. Tackle Stanton Ramil has been the only other constant, having switched between both edges.
Alex Golesh nabbing a seven- or eight-win season with this OL would be a miracle
As frustrating as it may seem that Golesh hasn't figured out the right mix up front offensively, it's actually a testament to his ability to coach.
Golesh has tried seemingly every combination possible, while relying on Best at center as the one constant. Based on the results of quarterback Byrum Brown and Best from last season, that's understandable.
It'd take one big game for the running game against Alabama for everyone to understand why Golesh stuck with Best in that role.
Frankly, a seven- or eight-win season would prove that Golesh was a genius about it the whole time. He had practically no time to get a group together, but he's been versatile in finding the hot hand at the right time.
That's how AU owns a victory over Georgia this season, after all. The offensive line held together in Athens, and it wasn't the line from the week before.
Auburn's future in the offensive trenches looks bright
It's hard not to be confident in Auburn improving in the coming years with the work Golesh has done on the recruiting trail in the trenches already.
4-star OT Layton Von Brandt, 4-star IOL Reed Ramsier, IOL Jaylon Moore, OT Rance Brown, and 4-star IOL Jatori Williams are on the way for the 2027 class.
If he can manage a far less talented group to success in 2026, with chemistry being formed on the fly oftentimes, Golesh and offensive line coach Tyler Hudanick can likely work wonders once the talent really ratchets up next year and beyond, with a full offseason to get to work.
Based on the early returns, it's almost certainly going to ratchet up soon. The Tigers finally have a football coach who's actually doing his job.
The most important position group on offense is no longer an afterthought. What a world.
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