In Auburn's season-opening win at Baylor, it was the Tigers' offense that picked up the defense, scoring 38 points to help the team overcome a 419-yard, three-touchdown performance by Sawyer Robertson.
It's been a different story in SEC play, as Jackson Arnold and the Auburn offense have let a standout defense down with 37 total points in three games.
Asked if there was any frustration by those on his side of the ball, safety Champ Anthony deflected any controversy.
"Man, offense had our back against Baylor, lord knows what would happen if they didn’t have our back," he said. "So we just have our brothers’ back. We fighting with them day in and day out. When they’re down, pick them up, keep giving them the ball and eventually they’re gonna figure it out.”
Auburn's defense has been good enough in the first three SEC games to win each one, holding opponents to 20 points and 338 yards per game, but the offense, with every opportunity to capitalize on that effort, has withered.
Hugh Freeze is pleased with what he has seen out of DJ Durkin's defense. Now, it's time for him and the offense to start carrying their load for the entire team.
"You know, we’re a team and I love DJ and that staff’s approach," Freeze said. "And, you know, the facts are we could have held them to three points. But offense has got to produce more points the way they’re playing, so they just got to keep doing what they’re doing.
“Man, if they keep doing that, we’re going to get over the hump eventually, and then I think the confidence grows. But there’s no question that’s something you have to talk about because it’s real."
It will be tough sledding this Saturday against No. 16 Missouri, which has the No. 2-ranked total defense in the country, allowing just 224 yards per game. For Freeze, it's getting his side of the ball fixed that matters the most.
“They’ve just got to keep doing what they’re doing,” he said. “If they keep playing like that, we’ll get over the hump.”