Under fire, Gus Malzahn dodges disaster

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Under fire, Gus Malzahn dodges disaster

Updated 5:54 PM; Posted 4:25 PM

Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn watches a replay on a giant monitor during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi, Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018, in Oxford, Miss. Auburn won 31-16. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) (Rogelio V. Solis)

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By Joseph Goodman | jgoodman@al.com

jgoodman@al.com

It was a game Gus Malzahn couldn’t afford to lose, and he didn’t.

That’s the best anyone can say about Auburn after its 31-16 victory against Ole Miss. This season remains a disappointment, but at least the Tigers beat an Ole Miss team playing this season with reduced scholarships and no hope for a bowl game.

Yes, Auburn, it has come to this.

Statistically, Ole Miss’ defense is on pace to be the worst in the SEC in over a decade. If Malzahn’s offense hadn’t come alive in the second half, Auburn’s season would have died in Oxford, Miss., on Saturday.

How satisfied are Auburn fans with their team after that victory? Are Auburn fans who tuned out after the losses to Mississippi State and Tennessee going to return to this season after Auburn’s upcoming bye week?

Those questions will linger until Auburn’s home game against Texas A&M on Nov. 3. There were plenty of rumors and speculation about Malzahn’s job security after starting 1-3 in conference play. Those conversations were premature before Auburn 31, Ole Miss 16, and Malzahn now has two weeks to prepare for Texas A&M. That’s a winnable game for the Tigers, who still have the talent to play spoiler against Georgia, and maybe keep Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa in the game beyond the third quarter.

Auburn could have rolled over after its loss to the Volunteers. Last week, the Tigers played like the worst team in the SEC. On the road against against Oxford, Auburn’s defense played with pride, and Auburn’s offense found a little confidence in the second half.

It’s something to build upon, or at least rekindle a little bit of that mojo Auburn enjoyed in the second half of last season.

Ole Miss was second in the SEC in scoring offense through six games, but scored its first touchdown against Auburn with 2:24 left in the game. It was the defense’s best game since defeating Arkansas 34-3.

A leader is emerging for the Tigers, but it’s not quarterback Jarrett Stidham.

Auburn defensive lineman Marlon Davidson has blocked a kick in three consecutive games. His block in the first quarter against Ole Miss seemed to reignite some passion among his teammates, and Auburn’s defense dominated the line of scrimmage after the play.

It was the kind of domination that Auburn expected all season. It’s too bad it all came with nothing left to play for than bowl eligibility.

With five wins and Liberty remaining on the schedule, Auburn is almost guaranteed a bowl game. A trip to the Birmingham Bowl for the second time in four years isn’t going to be included in the pitch to recruits this season, but it will give Auburn an extra month of practice before next spring.

They’re going to need it.

At least there were positive signs, though. Stidham didn’t throw an interception this week or give away a fumble. His turnovers against Tennessee were the difference in that game. Auburn’s offense came alive in the second half when the play calling began involving receivers Anthony Schwartz and Seth Williams. There is real talent there, and something Auburn can build around during the off week.

With expectations now lowered for this season and a victory against Ole Miss in the bag, Auburn can focus on being SEC underdogs every week. That’s exactly when Malzahn is at his best.

Joseph Goodman is a columnist for the Alabama Media Group. He’s on Twitter @JoeGoodmanJr.