re: An honest critique of Auburn

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lefty08

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Show us on the doll where Auburn hurt you.....

Adams was a beast too. DL should be the strength of the defense. If it wasn't for Jackson's scrambling ability in the 4th quarter, it could have gotten nasty. He was really what kept them in the game. We had a hard time adjusting to him, and even when we had a play on him, he was so elusive that he was able to escape.

Wayyyy too many auburn fans in this thread for it to be an honest critique. Thread was doomed from the start.

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I think the West is a gauntlet that every team is going to have difficulty getting out of without one or more losses. Reminds me of 2010, when Auburn did manage to go undefeated but not without a near loss seemingly each week. Auburn has a favorable schedule in that they draw many of their toughest games at home, just as in 2010 and 2013. The way Johnson played on Saturday will not get it done against upper echelon opponents, so they're going to have to get that situation resolved quickly. Defense looked somewhat improved, but I think Muschamp is going to need some better recruits (particularly in the linebacking corps) to really make a major difference. I could see them losing as many as three or, with some luck and resilience in the face of adversity, going undefeated.

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Agree with all this.

Did they get it right?

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This could be a good thread

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Agreed. Here are my thoughts:

Auburn has the chance to be extremely good, but I think a couple of things hurt them this year (unless they change somehow):

1. Depth on defense. I don't know that they have good enough players in the two-deep to stay competitive late into close, physical games or through a brutal SEC schedule.

2. Receiving corps outside of Duke. As someone else in this thread mentioned, another receiver (or tight end) or two will need to be a legit threat to keep the defense from selling out on Duke.

3. JJ's decision making. Kid tried to make some really questionable throws that could be game-changers against other opponents. The SECw is so competitive that one or two bad decisions are all that it takes to turn a win into a loss.

Of course, this was just the first game, but it's the only example I have to go on. I'm interested in seeing Auburn and LSU play to get a real read on both those teams. I predicted Auburn to beat Louisville in a walk, which was a pretty good prediction until late in the fourth.

he really doesnt run at all? lol if true yea that takes away a big demension

he wasnt much of a passer saturday i wonder if sean white gets a look if he dont get better kid was a stud at u school

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he really doesnt run at all? lol if true yea that takes away a big demension

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This and what Monty said in the OP was my big question for Auburn. When you look at Malzahn, Mullen, and Meyer offenses they are built on a running QB. Nick Marshall burned defenses last year with his feet as much as he did with his arm. I predicted this would be a tough adjustment for Auburn - I just do not know if this is a fatal flaw or a just an inconvenience...

Sumlin on the other hand wings it first.

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Agreed. Here are my thoughts:

Auburn has the chance to be extremely good, but I think a couple of things hurt them this year (unless they change somehow):

1. Depth on defense. I don't know that they have good enough players in the two-deep to stay competitive late into close, physical games or through a brutal SEC schedule.

2. Receiving corps outside of Duke. As someone else in this thread mentioned, another receiver (or tight end) or two will need to be a legit threat to keep the defense from selling out on Duke.

3. JJ's decision making. Kid tried to make some really questionable throws that could be game-changers against other opponents. The SECw is so competitive that one or two bad decisions are all that it takes to turn a win into a loss.

Of course, this was just the first game, but it's the only example I have to go on. I'm interested in seeing Auburn and LSU play to get a real read on both those teams. I predicted Auburn to beat Louisville in a walk, which was a pretty good prediction until late in the fourth.

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I agree with much of this assessment. Jason Smith has to step up at WR. I am not overly concerned about the offense. Gus has never fielded a poor offensive team in his tenure outside of the 2nd part of 2011. It is widely reported Gene put the brakes on him that year. Before Gene did the offense with terrible QB's averaged over 25 points I believe. We had no running QB that season, nor 2009 or when he was at ASU or Tusla.

Auburn has the ingredients to be good, but we are thin on D. We need to stay healthy and some freshmen need to step up. The freshmen with skills are on campus if they can answer the call. On offense we won't be dangerous like 2013 or 2010, but we will have the ability to average over 30 a game easily. The oline has the makings of something special.

Lost in all trant rhetoric is the fact that when the touchdown pass was called back (correct call) and the coaches got the 15 yard penalty Auburn was about to go up 31-3. The game is over if that play stands. In spite of it and all the other ways Auburn shot itself in the foot UL never had the ball after the first few minutes of the game with a chance to tie or take the lead. That includes Auburn picking up a 1st down and icing the game only to loose it to a bad holding call and still icing the game anyway. This game reminded me of Alabama vs arkie 2014. arkie was a decent team that should of, could of, would of won, but in the end Alabama was just better.

To me nothing has changed, if things come together Auburn has the talent and ability to win the SEC and challenge for the National Title. If things don't come together (i.e. injuries on defense, QB can't slow down and use his talent, etc...) then Auburn is an 8-10 win team.