While some fans are calling for defensive coordinator DJ Durkin's job after the horrible performance against LSU, he may not be the person fans should have their anger at.
Of course, the defense has had its fair share of problems. From not showing up against Florida to the Tennessee game, then to Xavier Atkins being dismissed from the team. All the way up until the nonexistent effort against LSU.
But this isn't something that should fall entirely on Durkin's shoulders.
The offense that was promised to Auburn fans this season feels like it hasn't grown enough to even be able to blossom. Each and every week, the offense feels stalled and predictable.
Last week against Georgia, you could see that the offensive play-calling seemed to have flipped a switch somewhere during the 60 minutes. That let Auburn actually have a fighting chance against Georgia, and that game ultimately came in their favor.
What changed besides the play-calling? Rumor had it that Alex Golesh was the one with the play sheet, but Golesh shut that down.
It makes you wonder.
Who Auburn fans should really raise their pitchforks for
Joel Gordon has been terrible this season as the Tigers' playcaller. Even though it is his first season here, it still doesn't excuse how bad the Auburn offense has been this year.
Over multiple weeks, the offense has lived in three-and-out situations, leaving the defense to hold until Gordon could figure it out. That leaves a big strain on Durkin and the defense because it leaves them out there longer and reveals more of the scheme to the opposing team and upcoming opponents.
After six weeks of having the defense be the team, there comes a point where enough is enough, and somebody has to point out the elephant in the room.
How everyone is angry at Durkin for keeping Auburn in almost every single game this season is beyond me. The game against LSU was the first one, besides possibly the Florida game, that Auburn actually looked bad.
Then on top of that, in the first half, Gordon's offense didn't even have 100 yards passing, while Sam Leavitt had 260 yards. There is no excuse for that, and there were so many times that Byrum Brown and the rest of the offense just looked noticeably confused.
I am not sure who to truly blame more, Golesh or Gordon. Golesh allowed Gordon to keep calling plays while his team did that thing that Atreyu's horse did in The NeverEnding Story. Kudos to anyone who doesn't have to Google that.
While it is sensible to blame the defense for giving up 31 points before halftime, it is more sensible to realize that barely putting up over 100 yards on offense in the first half is a death sentence for any team.
I hope fans will take into account that the defense has had Auburn in nearly every game this season, and not once has the offense actually been the reason why they won. Even against Georgia, the defense was what won that game on the late Gunner Stockton fumble. Brown barely threw for 150 yards in that game.
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