Paul Finebaum did the opposite of downplaying Auburn while discussing Tennessee's 24-14 win on Rocky Top this past Saturday.
Finebaum credited the Vols' gutsiness for grinding out the ugly win against the Tigers, commending Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel's decision to yank true freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon for George MacIntyre.
“The Tennessee win was significant,” Finebaum said on the Matt Barrie Show. “It was an ugly game against Auburn. It was hard to watch. But they at least survived — because they could have easily let that game get away. … The fact that Josh Heupel had to change quarterbacks and still — I mean, I don’t know how he squeezed a win out of one of the ugliest games I’ve ever seen."
The win being so ugly was the result of Volunteers running back DeSean Bishop needing to put the offense on his shoulders. DJ Durkin's defense completely collapsed in the second half, allowing 237 total rushing yards and all three of Bishop's rushing touchdowns in the final 30 minutes.
On the other side, Auburn's offense saw Byrum Brown have to call his own number frequently because of a broken-down pocket. Brown was sacked four times, threw two picks, and lost a fumble.
Auburn is starting to play ugly and lose
It's Groundhog Day on the Plains. Not only is AU starting to lose football games, but the product is becoming a tough watch.
That is something Alex Golesh cannot allow to stick. He brought Joel Gordon's fast-paced offensive system to host a passing game that could overcome the talent discrepancy the Tigers face in the SEC trenches.
The offensive line is too overmatched right now to make things watchable. That Georgia is the team's next opponent, in Athens, no less, is a scary thought. The Deep South's Oldest Rivalry game may cease to be must-watch television quickly if UGA is as sharp as it has been defensively.
It's unclear what could change things over the next 13 days, but Auburn is in over its head right now, where games are won and lost.
Losing close games at the beginning of a rebuild is one thing, but the Tigers' two defeats had a hopeless feeling as the opponent started controlling the game on the ground. At some point, Auburn needs to win games that way, but the program is light-years away from that right now.
It's going to make for an ugly October, if Week 5 was any indication.
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