Post Mortem: Auburn

by Chris Paschal

Auburn’s season is over. With Alabama and Georgia still left on the schedule, 7-5 might be the ceiling for the Tiger’s this season. I am shocked by how they have performed this season. Yes, you could point to a tough schedule and a slew of injuries, but this Auburn team doesn’t have the same spirit that it had last season. I don’t think they will collapse like Florida or Tennessee did last season, but I don’t think they finish strong either. With the season all but over for Auburn, here are four observations I have about the Tigers following my own post mortem examination. Share with Auburn fans and let me know your thoughts.

The Offensive Line

This is the biggest difference from last season’s team with this season’s team. Losing Braden Smith and Austin Golson definitely hurt, and it also didn’t help that this is the unit’s first season with offensive line coach, J.B. Grimes, but there is too much talent for this group to be playing like this. Mississippi State ate Auburn for lunch. So did LSU. So did Washington. Yes, I am listing some great defensive lines, but Auburn prides itself on being able to run the inside zone no matter who they are playing. This rushing attack is bad. Like, South Carolina-bad. I thought Calvin Ashley would have a breakout season. He’s only started one game and has been struggling with staying healthy. Further, this offensive line has regressed. Don’t take my word for it. Take their’s. Back in September, left tackle Prince Tega Wanogho said, “I feel like we did actually take a step back.” When trying to diagnose Auburn’s issues, look no further than the offensive line.

Auburn’s offensive line looks nothing like last year. Image from 247 Sports.

Kerryon Johnson 

This might be the most obvious issue – running back production. When a football team has a running back that scores 20 touchdowns in a single season, that team is able to mask a lot of poor play. Johnson was the 2017 Offensive Player of the Year, and his departure has probably been the most widely-felt for this Auburn team. Unfortunately, Kam Martin (who averaged over six yards per carry last year) has been a major disappointment. This season, Martin has been held to just a single touchdown and less than four yards per carry. In Auburn’s biggest SEC games (Tennessee, LSU, Mississippi State), Martin has carried the ball just eight times. Not eight times per game. Eight total times. Asa Martin has not produced like many had hoped after being named Alabama’s Mr. Football his senior year in high school. In fact, Asa Martin has barely been featured. The one bright spot has been another true freshman, JaTarvious “Boobee” Whitlow, who has rushed for over 450 yards and four touchdowns this season. But this position group needs to perform at a higher level.

Kam Martin has struggled this season. Image from Auburn Athletics.

Mistakes

It’s not the quantity, but instead the timing of these mistakes that kills Auburn. The Tigers are the third most penalized team in the SEC and some of them have been during crucial moments of the game. LSU probably doesn’t win that game if their drive is not extended due to a late pass interference call. Further, Stidham has thrown multiple interceptions in two losses (Tennessee and Auburn) and completed just 50% of his passes in the other loss (Mississippi State). This kind of play and these kind of mistakes have cost Auburn dearly.

Jarrett Stidham has thrown multiple interceptions in their two losses. Image from NBC Sports.

Pass Defense

It’s not horrible, it’s just not good. Last season, Auburn finished inside the top 25 in almost every single passing defense statistical category. This year, they are clinging to remain inside the top 50. And it’s not like they have played the best passing attacks the SEC has to offer. LSU and Mississippi State are not exactly pass-happy offenses. That being said, LSU in the second half exposed this secondary. Further, Tennessee exposed this secondary throughout its game. Jarrett Guarantano threw for over 320 yards and a couple of touchdowns this past Saturday, and averaged over 10 yards per completion. And he spread it around, too. It wasn’t like a single receiver went off and hauled in 11 receptions or something. This run defense has stood tall for most of the season. They rank insude the top 25 in yards allowed per rushing attempt, and they have only surrendered three rushing touchdowns – something only three other defenses can boast. That being said, this pass defense has looked shaky at times this year, and it has cost them some ball games.

Auburn’s secondary is good, not great. Image from Montgomery Advertiser.

But Y’all, Don’t Fire Gus

This is mostly for the lunatic fringe, the frat boy that loves to dish out hot takes, and the common man that loves Auburn just enough to say something ridiculous. First off all, this would cost an inordinate amount of money. Second of all, the SEC is tough as nails this season. Who would have thought both Tennessee and LSU would be able to go into Jordan-Hare and come out with victories. A lot of that has just as much to do with the Vols and Bayou Bengals as it does Auburn. Auburn is recruiting at a high level and has the system and culture in place to bounce back next season. Unless Auburn collapses and burns like Florida and Tennessee did last season, I think it would be wise to stay aboard the Gus Bus.

Don’t lose hope in Gus yet. Image from USA Today.