Something to watch for this season

[StatTiger 3,188]

During the 94 collegiate games Gus Malzahn has been involved offensively, his run-offense has gained nearly 48 percent more yardage than the opponent allowed for the season.

Based on last season's defensive rushing allowed by the scheduled 11 FBS opponents for 2013, Malzahn's current rushing margins projects for 217-yards rushing per game.

Auburn does face 4 teams that finished in the nation's top-25 in run-defense and the overall average ranking was No. 49 for the combined 11 FBS opponents on tap for 2013.

[auburn2oregon 0]

if our OL gels, and we get anything CLOSE to consistency at the QB position, we could dominate in our run game.

mason is a returning 1000 yard rusher, and from what i saw in the spring game, CAP seems to be the REAL DEAL.i think both those guys could rush for 1000+ this year.

[augolf1716 22,032]

if our OL gels, and we get anything CLOSE to consistency at the QB position, we could dominate in our run game.

mason is a returning 1000 yard rusher, and from what i saw in the spring game, CAP seems to be the REAL DEAL.i think both those guys could rush for 1000+ this year.

Possible but imo it will be determined by our QB play

[AUIH1 1,515]

if our OL gels, and we get anything CLOSE to consistency at the QB position, we could dominate in our run game.

mason is a returning 1000 yard rusher, and from what i saw in the spring game, CAP seems to be the REAL DEAL.i think both those guys could rush for 1000+ this year.

Possible but imo it will be determined by our QB play

Yep. We really need a QB with a pulse, some toughness and adequate SEC talent. Other than Trotter in the 1st couple of games of 2011 and the Chik-Fil-A Bowl, we have not had those things since Cam.

wde

[StatTiger 3,188]

As inconsistent as QB play was during 2011, even the running game averaged 182 YPG and 25 percent more yardage than the opponent normally allowed. This also included inconsistent play by the OL.

I do agree the offense can only reach it's full potential with solid QB play but I also believe the running game will be far more consistent than the 2011 version. Add a dynamic athlete at the QB position and the running game becomes even more dangerous.

[johnjacob 44]

if our OL gels, and we get anything CLOSE to consistency at the QB position, we could dominate in our run game.

mason is a returning 1000 yard rusher, and from what i saw in the spring game, CAP seems to be the REAL DEAL.i think both those guys could rush for 1000+ this year.

I agree. The OL is on the verge of living up to all those 4 &5 *s

[jared52 4,358]

Yardage is nice, but what about point differential, Stat? How many more (if any) does Gus' offense score than the opponent usually gives up?

[StatTiger 3,188]

Yardage is nice, but what about point differential, Stat? How many more (if any) does Gus' offense score than the opponent usually gives up?

I have found rushing yardage translates more to offensive success than passing yardage and total yardage. For example....from 2000-2012, SEC teams have won 85 percent of their games rushing for at least 175-yds and 80 percent rushing for at least 150-yds. Malzahn is 63-13, when his offense rushes for more yardage than the defense normally allows.

As for your question regarding scoring. Malzahn's offense has averaged scoring 41.9% more than the opponent normally allows. Auburn's 11 FBS opponents allowed an average of 24.7 PPG during 2012. This projects to an average score on offense of 35.0 PPG. If you look at his 4 SEC offenses only, his margin actually increases to 44.0% more than the opponent allows, which basically pushes the projection to 36.0 PPG for 2013. I could live with either projection.

[marshallcotiger 0]

I feel like the key to the offense clicking this year is being good enough throwing the ball down field to keep that extra defender out of the box. I think we have the backs and OL to be able to run the ball effectively against the majority of our opponents as long as we can keep the defense honest.

[IndianTiger 95]

In 2010, we had close to 300 yds per game in rushing, if I remember. That will be a great thing to watch this year.

[TerryP 1]

As inconsistent as QB play was during 2011, even the running game averaged 182 YPG and 25 percent more yardage than the opponent normally allowed. This also included inconsistent play by the OL.

I do agree the offense can only reach it's full potential with solid QB play but I also believe the running game will be far more consistent than the 2011 version. Add a dynamic athlete at the QB position and the running game becomes even more dangerous.

Florida was down in the 2011 season so I assume that held true in that game. As porous as the run defense was at Arkansas, I suspect it's greater than 25%. (Considering the lack of attention Petrino put on defense, I'd almost be willing to bet it was 40% or more allowed.) If I recall correctly, it seems like South Carolina allowed a ton of rushing yards as well in 2011 when you guys met.

Did it hold true against the other top teams in the SEC? Your Georgia's and LSU's as example?

[StatTiger 3,188]

Florida was down in the 2011 season so I assume that held true in that game. As porous as the run defense was at Arkansas, I suspect it's greater than 25%. (Considering the lack of attention Petrino put on defense, I'd almost be willing to bet it was 40% or more allowed.) If I recall correctly, it seems like South Carolina allowed a ton of rushing yards as well in 2011 when you guys met.

Did it hold true against the other top teams in the SEC? Your Georgia's and LSU's as example?

South Carolina allowed 136 YPG and AU gained 246. Arkansas allowed 168 and AU gained 291. Florida allowed 133 per game and AU gained 155. Virginia allowed 139 per game and AU gained 273. Again, this was behind an inconsistent and young OL, inconsistent QB play and an OC who was basically handcuffed after the Clemson game.

[AUenginerd 16]

As for your question regarding scoring. Malzahn's offense has averaged scoring 41.9% more than the opponent normally allows. Auburn's 11 FBS opponents allowed an average of 24.7 PPG during 2012. This projects to an average score on offense of 35.0 PPG. If you look at his 4 SEC offenses only, his margin actually increases to 44.0% more than the opponent allows, which basically pushes the projection to 36.0 PPG for 2013. I could live with either projection.

I'll gladly take either one! WDE!

[war eagle6 0]

Florida was down in the 2011 season so I assume that held true in that game. As porous as the run defense was at Arkansas, I suspect it's greater than 25%. (Considering the lack of attention Petrino put on defense, I'd almost be willing to bet it was 40% or more allowed.) If I recall correctly, it seems like South Carolina allowed a ton of rushing yards as well in 2011 when you guys met.

Did it hold true against the other top teams in the SEC? Your Georgia's and LSU's as example?

South Carolina allowed 136 YPG and AU gained 246. Arkansas allowed 168 and AU gained 291. Florida allowed 133 per game and AU gained 155. Virginia allowed 139 per game and AU gained 273. Again, this was behind an inconsistent and young OL, inconsistent QB play and an OC who was basically handcuffed after the Clemson game.

From watching what happened in the first half of the clemson game and the second half, I'd be willing to bet gus was handcuffed at halftime!

[Dual-Threat Rigby 9,207]

Florida was down in the 2011 season so I assume that held true in that game. As porous as the run defense was at Arkansas, I suspect it's greater than 25%. (Considering the lack of attention Petrino put on defense, I'd almost be willing to bet it was 40% or more allowed.) If I recall correctly, it seems like South Carolina allowed a ton of rushing yards as well in 2011 when you guys met.

Did it hold true against the other top teams in the SEC? Your Georgia's and LSU's as example?

South Carolina allowed 136 YPG and AU gained 246. Arkansas allowed 168 and AU gained 291. Florida allowed 133 per game and AU gained 155. Virginia allowed 139 per game and AU gained 273. Again, this was behind an inconsistent and young OL, inconsistent QB play and an OC who was basically handcuffed after the Clemson game.

From watching what happened in the first half of the clemson game and the second half, I'd be willing to bet gus was handcuffed at halftime!

He was.

[AUtigerfan1027 14]

Re-watched the whole clemson game. I think Gus was handcuffed before halftime..we came out and had a 14 point lead with about 7 mins left in the 1st, and even then each play wasn't being ran until 20 to 25 secs aftet the previous play. We all know that number is to high for CGM, who has been quoted saying he likes the plays ran within 10 to 15 secs of each other. The more I watch 2011 and 2012 seasons you can see chiziks hands messing with both sides of the ball. If your a player do you listen to your position coach, coordinator, or HC? I feel like 2012 was more everybody not being on the same page, then the talent and development of the players. Everyone seems to forget we held the same LSU team that almost beat bama to 12 points in a game.

[war eagle6 0]

Re-watched the whole clemson game. I think Gus was handcuffed before halftime..we came out and had a 14 point lead with about 7 mins left in the 1st, and even then each play wasn't being ran until 20 to 25 secs aftet the previous play. We all know that number is to high for CGM, who has been quoted saying he likes the plays ran within 10 to 15 secs of each other. The more I watch 2011 and 2012 seasons you can see chiziks hands messing with both sides of the ball. If your a player do you listen to your position coach, coordinator, or HC? I feel like 2012 was more everybody not being on the same page, then the talent and development of the players. Everyone seems to forget we held the same LSU team that almost beat bama to 12 points in a game.

Lsu didnt loose that game, les miles gave it away.

[AUEngineer2016 407]

Re-watched the whole clemson game. I think Gus was handcuffed before halftime..we came out and had a 14 point lead with about 7 mins left in the 1st, and even then each play wasn't being ran until 20 to 25 secs aftet the previous play. We all know that number is to high for CGM, who has been quoted saying he likes the plays ran within 10 to 15 secs of each other. The more I watch 2011 and 2012 seasons you can see chiziks hands messing with both sides of the ball. If your a player do you listen to your position coach, coordinator, or HC? I feel like 2012 was more everybody not being on the same page, then the talent and development of the players. Everyone seems to forget we held the same LSU team that almost beat bama to 12 points in a game.

Gus has said that his offense, while classified as a HUNH is not just predicated on going fast; rather, it varies the tempo in an effort to keep the defense off balance. For example; if a player knows that he is going to have time to rest, he will rest, but if he knows the won't have time to rest, he wont rest. When Gus "tempos" the other team, he runs the players up to the line and gets set up, then has the skill position players check with the sideline for the play. This allows the offensive players (who know that this is coming) a bit of rest while not allowing the defensive players (who have to act like the ball could be snapped at any moment so they're not caught out of position) any rest.

I believe that Chizik did slow Gus down before halftime, but I think that before halftime Gus just thought it was a temporary "our defense needs to catch their breath for a second" kind of thing, but by halftime, I'd bet my bottom dollar that Chizik had his hand in the offense.