Why does our offense panic against good opponents?

The unit takes on the personality of its head coach?

This year things just look off. Last night when we had those 2 possessions inside our own 10 the plays to get out of those holes existed, but we failed to execute. Contrast that to Burrow's 3rd down run that extended the drive and led to a score.

Softness against teams with SEC DLs. Our OL has the size, but we're missing grit, a nasty attitude. Good OLs have players with a street alley mentality on the field. Notre Dame has the same problem, Book has to scramble constantly and some of their OL are draft projected. Michigan pushed it in easily last night.

Gus's WR playbook on many plays with most running way past the sticks and outside the numbers does not help a young QB struggling with accuracy. But Gus called some good passing plays yesterday with slants, Schwartz on a hitch, comeback routes, Canella and Hastings got open multiple times, sometimes inside.. Nix was just not hitting them, and on most Gus was not making him make reads, just pre-snap keys. Even screens weren't there because of blocking engagement effort. WRs could use some nastiness infusion as well but it's harder to motivate when they're not even getting a chance at the ball, sans Seth.

I think Gus is coddling Nix too much like he has coddled many players in the past. That's one major reason why transfer QBs have succeeded, they already had mental toughness and there was no coddling.

We need a nasty attitude on O at most positions like the defense has, like the 2000s AU OLs, like great AU RBs have had. Gus can be a nice, religious guy but he also has to have a hard-edge his players can emulate.

Could not believe he didn’t at least run Gatewood out for a series or two just to calm Bo down. Well on second thought yes I can....

In a vacuum, a non-AU/SEC fan watching yesterday's game might think it was a case of Auburn grossly underachieving on offense. Unfortunately, it's not a vacuum but rather a consistent pattern. A one/off loss like that is one thing, but when we've reached the point where we can correctly predict how things are gonna go down ahead of time, then it starts at the top with the HC...and as woeful as Nix has been, and believe me he's been woeful alright, I still lay it on Gus' shoulders before laying it on him. The frustrating thing is, as ineffective as Nix has been, I still think a $hitload of other coaches could develop a gameplan to make him at least look adequate out there...

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attempt to impose our will on the other team.


You seen our OL?

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Yea, I'm giving some variance for how much a true running threat QB can help an average OL. That small hesitation in run reaction at the 2nd level can allow the OL to get on block they other wise would miss.

One where he's not being asked to carry the offense on his shoulders while simultaneously running for his life, that'd be a good start.

I mean, Nix definitely is having his issues, but against formidable opponents, the opposing D plays like they don't even have to think out there, our gameplan is that simple...

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A one/off loss like that is one thing, but when we've reached the point where we can correctly predict how things are gonna go down ahead of time, then it starts at the top with the HC

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Me and every friend of mine that is an Auburn fan knew this was how this season would shape out. And that is not me bragging or thinking I am a know it all, its just the facts. It is so easy to tell when things are about to go south with Gus bc we have seen it every year.

It has gotten to the point where I am only mad about a loss like LSU for about ten minutes and then I am over it. I am numb to it at this point. No post game discussion with the friends in our group message. Nothing. I think everyone is just over it, it is expected.