Things I Think I Saw (AU vs Texas A&M).....

[JMR 2,118]

Big win for Auburn yesterday.  Some are disappointed with this or that about the team's performance but as Pat Dye used to say, "They's men on both sides."  Texas A&M has numerous four and five-star players on their roster and a $10 million/year coaching staff on their sideline. Chances are, they are going to make some plays.  Not everything was perfect, as it seldom is in football but I'll take the win and I am happy to get it.

There are certainly things to be addressed and corrected this week, but that is always true.  Auburn, mostly without the services of two starters on the offensive line and one of the top two running backs, put points on the board, owned time of possession by over ten minutes and won an important SEC West game on the road.  I'm not gonna complain.

Here are some things I THINK I saw....
 

• Derrick Brown continues to get better as the season wears on. As an old lineman, it's fun to watch him grow in his technique. The big man has excellent footwork, and his hip snap as he makes contact puts him in great position to control the blocker in front of him. For those who've done some power lifting, think of it like a power clean.....if executed properly, you can do a lot.
   
• With Mike Horton and Darius James unable to play effectively, AU was forced to go most of the game with Prince Tega Wahnogo at left tackle, Marquell Harrell at left guard, and Austin Golson at right tackle.  That circumstance was particularly difficult against A&M, as they run lots of stunts with their DL, and two inexperienced guys playing side-by-side resulted in some confusion at times, particularly in pass protection. We were very fortunate that Casey Dunn was able to play.
   
• I probably need to go ahead and get special teams issues off my mind. I'm not sure where to start. Auburn had given up a punt return for TD and a kickoff return for TD coming into this game, and gave up a 72-yard kickoff return and two blocked field goals yesterday.  It's awfully late in the season to be cleaning up something as important as special teams, but it sure needs to happen. I'll just leave this one at that.
   
• A&M came into this game not having rushed for over 100 yards in any of their previous four games. They were over that mark before halftime yesterday.  Two huge runs came on zone read plays where Auburn's defensive ends took the quarterback, who handed the ball off. On both of those, MLB DeShaun Davis ran himself completely out of the play, without being blocked at all. Facing Nick Chubb and Sony Michelle next week, our LB play will need to be cleaned up, hopefully today.
   
• On A&M's first TD, Daniel Thomas filled the hole like a champ from his spot in Auburn's goal line defense. Unfortunately, he attempted a "no hands" tackle, and A&M's Keith Ford just bounced off the hit and cruised into the end zone. Fundamentals matter, whether it's early in Game One, or late in Game 9.
   
• The shovel pass that A&M hit for a big gain was a perfect call against the defense AU had called. Auburn ran a twist stunt between the DT and DE, and the ball went right between the two. Sometimes, the other guy wins.
   
• I've said it here before, and need to say it again: The development of Nick Coe has been a huge factor for Auburn, allowing Marlon Davidson to move inside to DT occasionally, where he's been extremely effective.
   
• Jeff Holland had another tremendous game. In addition to his constant pressure on the QB, he made a key tackle for loss on a hustle play yesterday to prevent A&M from picking up a first down. Nick Ruffin blocked the punt on the following play.
   
• Speaking of Ruffin's punt block, that was perfectly executed by him, as he went to the precise spot with his hand that was necessary to get the block.  Great play, and the kind you can execute only if you have your brain engaged, as well as your body.
   
• An added benefit of the blocked A&M punt was the residual effect it had on A&M's punter. He later executed a horrible drop on a punt and kicked the ball into the back of one of his blockers, resulting in a 16-yard punt from one of the leading punters in the country.
   
• Was great to see Tray Matthews back in his spot in the AU secondary. In addition to making a couple of big hits on key plays, Matthews was constantly directing traffic in the AU defense.
   
• The AU secondary got out-foxed a couple of times on A&M "rub routes," both resulting in touchdown passes on short slant passes.
   
• I have been watching the gradual improvement of Marquell Harrell since he stepped in for Mike Horton at guard. I've seen some good and some bad, including yesterday.  He's gotten better as a straight drive blocker, and in pass protection when he's certain who to block. But he's still tentative at times as he appears to be uncertain of his assignment.  I doubt there is anyone reading this who wasn't told more than once at whatever level of football they played, "It's OK to make a mistake, as long as you make it full speed!" You hesitate for a nanosecond at this level and you're done.
   
• A&M defender Miles Jones pushed Kerryon Johnson in the back after KJ was out of bounds. I thought it should have been called a late hit, but it wasn't. As Karma often dictates, Jones was crushed by Braden Smith on the very next play. When I say "crushed", I'm talking about a strong, athletic senior SEC lineman on a 6-4, 177 lb. freshman.
   
• On A&M's first field goal block, an AU lineman just allowed himself to be driven back far enough that the rusher could put his hand up and slap the ball. On the second blocked field goal, A&M safety Armani Watts simply ran inside Auburn wing Jalen Harris, as Harris blocked out on another man. "Always take the inside rusher first."
   
• For those occasionally frustrated with the Auburn defense yesterday, remind yourself of the stop on downs the defense got at their own 4-yard line early in the 4th quarter, when the game was still within reach for A&M. And even on the last A&M score, it took 8 attempts after Carlton Davis was called for a somewhat tacky PI.
   
• Kerryon Johnson has proven to be everything we thought he could be when he was being recruited as a high school senior. He's an excellent all-around back, with decent speed, excellent quickness, balance, strength, and determination. He's also an outstanding receiver and pass protector.  I hated that he got 29 carries yesterday, as that toll has to be mounting on his body, but he represented himself and his team very well.
   
• Kam Martin got (by my unofficial count) 13 carries yesterday, and averaged somewhere around 3.5 yds per carry. To his credit, he looked solid, with good ball security.
   
• Young T.D. Moultrie made a couple of plays yesterday. He shows good quickness, and once he has built the strength to couple with that, he could be the next great edge rusher for the Auburn defense.
   
• Saw Big Kat Bryant in for a couple of plays late. He's got a chance to be a stud, but has a lot to learn in the pass rushing "moves" department.  He has the tools, just needs to learn the trade.
   
• Chandler Cox had one of his better games at Auburn as a blocker.  He made countless key blocks throughout the game.
   

As we head into Amen Corner, I'm sure there will be plenty of focus and talk about Georgia. I have not sat down and watched them play this season for more than a few minutes at a time, so I don't have much of an opinion on them.  Obviously, they are very good.  Fortunately, I don't think Auburn has played its best game yet this season. We shall see.

If you made it all the way through this, thanks for taking the time, and WAR EAGLE!!

[BJCrawford 1,568]

Love these recaps! Thx for taking the time to do them.

[Tiger96 127]

I thought Chandler Cox had his best game in an Auburn uniform. Enjoy reading these every week JMR!

[Oldmactech 0]

Doesn't it seem like we ran a similar mix of plays as against LSU?  Run up the middle, throw deep.  Only we connected on a couple.  Not many intermediate throws.  Woulda been nice to see Malik in a bit toward the end for a taste of big boy football.

Good win though.

[The Plainsman 948]

I'd say Slayton continues his emergence as well.  

[Browning4AU 405]

I think I saw Carlton Davis flip the A&M sideline a bird after his PI call. 

[bigbird 60,498]

1 hour ago, Oldmactech said:

Doesn't it seem like we ran a similar mix of plays as against LSU?  Run up the middle, throw deep.  Only we connected on a couple.  Not many intermediate throws.  Woulda been nice to see Malik in a bit toward the end for a taste of big boy football.

Good win though.

Exactly! Its the same bad plays. IZ, WR screen, speed sweep, and deep post in the same order. We are so predictable.

[AUbritt 611]

1 hour ago, bigbird said:

Exactly! Its the same bad plays. IZ, WR screen, speed sweep, and deep post in the same order. We are so predictable.

I knew you would say that.

[bigbird 60,498]

10 minutes ago, AUbritt said:

I knew you would say that.

Thanks, Viper.

[augolf1716 21,109]

1 minute ago, bigbird said:

Thanks, Viper.

lol

[AUbritt 611]

12 minutes ago, bigbird said:

Thanks, Viper.

[fredst 9,064]

Thanks, Coach! Love reading your summary every week. Yesterday wasn’t pretty but as you said, any road win is a good one. My only complaints are with play calling (which it seems isn’t going to change) and special teams, which are appallingly bad and seem to regress every week.

[Aucater 150]

4 hours ago, JMR said:

I hated that he got 29 carries yesterday, as that toll has to be mounting on his body

I knew they would run him like a rented mule in this game even though Kam Matin was hitting on all cylinders.

[TigerTennis80 345]

As I said after the Arkansas game, I appreciate so much your "column" after each game. This week is no exception . I enjoy your knowledgeable observations. So, thanks again!

1 thing surprised me about your observations this week. I thought you'd have something to say about the 96 yard drive after the D held at the 4 yard line. Obviously a PI call (a clear call, unlike the later one on Carlton) gave us our 1st first down, but after getting that 1st down we moved steadily, even forcefully, down the field, keeping the ball for nearly 8 mins, mostly running the ball, & scoring a TD to pretty much seal the win. I thought at the time that a drive like that is potentially important not only for yesterday's game but also going forward, a confidence builder for the offense. Am I being too optimistic?

[Aucater 150]

3 hours ago, Browning4AU said:

 

I think I saw Carlton Davis flip the A&M sideline a bird after his PI call. 

 

That ain't half bad , I doubled flipped them off from the confines of my den.

[JMR 2,118]

36 minutes ago, TigerTennis80 said:

As I said after the Arkansas game, I appreciate so much your "column" after each game. This week is no exception . I enjoy your knowledgeable observations. So, thanks again!

1 thing surprised me about your observations this week. I thought you'd have something to say about the 96 yard drive after the D held at the 4 yard line. Obviously a PI call (a clear call, unlike the later one on Carlton) gave us our 1st first down, but after getting that 1st down we moved steadily, even forcefully, down the field, keeping the ball for nearly 8 mins, mostly running the ball, & scoring a TD to pretty much seal the win. I thought at the time that a drive like that is potentially important not only for yesterday's game but also going forward, a confidence builder for the offense. Am I being too optimistic?

No, not too optimistic at all. I agree with your thoughts. 

[Slammer1 409]

11 hours ago, Aucater said:

I knew they would run him like a rented mule in this game even though Kam Matin was hitting on all cylinders.

I could not understand why in the world they kept running KJ so many times ,especially late it the game when we pretty much had command of the situation, especially when we have our two biggest games coming up. Kam Martin was doing a great job. Senseless to me, I am afraid KJ will be out of gas completely by the bama game. SMH!!!

WDE

Edited November 6, 2017 by Slammer1

[DyeCampAlum 335]

Thanks again for a terrific post. I'm delighted by the win, and I share the sentiment that beating a good A&M team on the road always counts as good.

One thing I notice about A&M. If they have the QB for it, their offense is incredibly sophisticated. Kinda makes ours look, um, less sophisticated. Those huge plays were good examples -- things that fit their scheme but in quirky ways. Same goes for their pass routes.

But hey! We ran some pass routes! Even a slant. And I want to credit our WRs and OL for blocking those tunnel screens.

Loving the young guys playing up front on D. I don't think we can replace Matthews at safety next year -- he's an intimidator. But we have lots, and lots, of young guys raising hell all over the defense, especially in the line. Moultry is a revelation, and Coe is too.

And Lord, we need some offensive linemen to get healthy this week. We really could not block A&M early in the game. Georgia is far more fierce.

[Auskip 196]

On November 5, 2017 at 4:46 PM, bigbird said:

Exactly! Its the same bad plays. IZ, WR screen, speed sweep, and deep post in the same order. We are so predictable.

51, 49, 44, 52, and 42 points scored in 5 of the last 6 SEC games played.

Yep, that's pretty predictable.

Also a school record...

[bigbird 60,498]

14 hours ago, Auskip said:

51, 49, 44, 52, and 42 points scored in 5 of the last 6 SEC games played.

Yep, that's pretty predictable.

Also a school record...

IZ (KJ)

Buck sweep RT (KJ)

Wr screen (Davis)

Speed sweep (Stove)

Deep post (Slayton)

Option/skip route (Hastings)

Wildcat (KJ...fake jet sweep and run right)

Yes, we are beyond predictable. I guarantee UGA and UA know what play we are running based on personnel and alignment. We don't adjust. Heck, my 11 yr old calls out the play before the snap based on alignment.

 

[Auskip 196]

My wife was wondering if you considered the fake field goal in your analysis?

[aucanucktiger 1,791]

This is outstanding stuff coach and we're blessed to have you, thanks!

IMHO those rub slants should be a priority defensive fix for us, as Hurts & Bama seem to use them effectively a lot this year. fwiw, those rub slants are also a fixture with La - Monroe's weekly 500+ yd offense and they ate Coastal "take that Razorbacks" Carolina alive with them. Just saying.  

[jptiger 481]

Thanks Coach! WDE 

[JMR 2,118]

15 hours ago, Auskip said:

My wife was wondering if you considered the fake field goal in your analysis?

Obviously I failed to mention it, but I didn’t like the call. That isn’t hindsight, as I thought at the time it might be a fake, and didn’t like it then. I thought with less than a yard to go, a normal run play offered better odds. 

I do like trick plays in the kicking game, as that tends to make opponents a little more wary of bringing an all-out rush. Wish we’d had a fake called on the ones they blocked. A&M was not fooled by our fake, although we did get the needed yardage (negated by a penalty).  

[Denny crum 0]

Thank for taking the time to do this. I 100 percent agree about the fake punt. A regular play offered much better odds of success in that situation. Additionally, I think one is less likely to have a penalty on those types of plays. A power type run would be a higher percentage play. Less moving parts. I like fakes, but this was not the time for one.