Things I Think I Saw: Auburn vs Arkansas

[JMR 2,118]

In the minds of most Auburn fans, this one will go down as “an ugly win.”  Not because the score was close, but because most of us are focused on whether our offense is improving at a rate which will allow us to contend for the SEC West in November. Once again, Auburn’s offense looked out of synch and devoid of an identity.

The defense did not completely shut down Arkansas, but in my opinion, they played well overall. There were lots of substitutions throughout the game, especially in the back end, and I thought most of the youngsters acquitted themselves very well.

Here are a few of the things I *think* I saw in the game……
 

• Redshirt freshman Nick Brahms is finally healthy, and got his chance to make his case to move ahead of Kaleb Kim at center. Brahms started slowly, looking a little lost at times, but came on quickly. He generated some genuine movement in the middle, and executed the combo blocks very well. I was pleased to see him “finish” some blocks a few yards downfield. A surprisingly good performance for a kid in his first start on the big stage.
   
• Auburn’s passing game continues to be something of a mystery to me. Fans have bemoaned the lack of an intermediate passing game for a long while now, and in this game, it almost appeared that we were intent on limiting ourselves to a “short” passing game. Of Jarrett Stidham’s 22 pass attempts, 18 were within 5 yards of the line of scrimmage. In defense of the play caller, Stidham did have a receiver open on a deep route twice, and overthrew the ball badly both times. When you take a deep shot and don’t come even close to connecting, it sometimes makes you unwilling to call for another one. One particularly obvious point was the fact that when Arkansas sent a I corner blitz, there was no hot receiver. Stidham failed to see the blitz before the snap, but did see it afterward…..but there was no one available to dump the ball to. One of those blitzes resulted in a throwaway, the other in a sack.
   
• It was gratifying to see Auburn go after a couple of Arkansas punts. With a talented punt returner like Ryan Davis, you obviously want to set up a return at times, but there is nothing that shakes up a punter like knowing an all-out rush is coming. Not to mention, a blocked punt can literally change a game. It was also good to see that while showing a ten-man rush, Auburn did have people assigned to Arkansas’ eligible receivers in case of a fake. Well done.
   
• Arkansas was able to hit some relatively big plays offensively. Some of that was because of good execution by their players, and some was due to mistakes by individual defensive players. Both T.D. Moultry and Big Kat Bryant lost outside contain once, leading to a big gain in the run game. I’m not excusing their errors, but unfortunately, experience is a tough teacher.
   
• I thought the pass rush from Auburn’s front four was much improved this week, especially from Derrick Brown. Brown got tremendous push in the middle, and pressure inside complicates things for a quarterback, as there is no “pocket” to step up into. Auburn has speed rushers on the edges, so flushing a QB from a pocket with inside pressure is usually very productive
   
• I don’t know whether it was a personnel situation, with Arkansas starting a new QB, or something Kevin Steele saw in Arkansas’ pass protection, but Auburn blitzed a bunch in this game. Those blitzes were effective, “getting home” more often than not
   
• Deshaun Davis was outstanding for the second week in a row. He mis-fit a couple of run plays, but he was all over the field, just as he was last week vs LSU.
   
• Auburn used a good amount of defensive line stunts when only rushing four on passing downs, and also on some run downs. Mostly slants and twists, but those gave the Arkansas offensive line problems.
   
• Whatever the problem with Anders Carlson, he needs to get it remedied. It’s been a while since Auburn has been without a super-reliable kicker, and with the offense struggling of late, we need him to get in his groove.
   
• Prince Tega played probably his best game yet this week. He is a powerful run blocker, and is beginning to realize what he is capable of. I thought Mike Horton showed improvement over the first three games, although I did notice he ran with a limp much of the time. According to Malzahn, Horton has been “battling an injury” this season. Hopefully he is getting close to 100%.
   
• Enough of the “swinging gate” PAT. That play isn’t fooling anyone anymore, and this week it cost AU a delay-of-game penalty.
   
• Speaking of delay penalties, Auburn twice was slow getting the play in from the sideline. On one, Malzahn called a timeout, and on the other, we took a delay penalty. That task needs to be smooth and fast, and there is no reason for it to be otherwise.
   
• In case anyone missed it, Ryan Davis had a tremendous block on Stidham’s TD run. Davis still had contact with his man when Stidham crossed the goal line.Obviously, Davis is special with the ball in his hands, as evidenced by his huge returns in this game. But it's great to see a leader doing his job when he isn't carrying the ball.
   
• I was proud of the game Jamel Dean played this  week, after being the recipient of a key PI call last week. Dean defended a couple of passes at critical times, and had the hit of the game on the little pitch play Arkansas ran multiple times. Always great to see a kid bounce back from adversity.
   
• Was great to see Noah Igbinoghene break a kickoff return for a TD. Iggy is a great kid, and plays hard all the time. Always happy to see those kids shine when their opportunity comes.

I think most of us are frustrated and concerned with the offense at this point. Unfortunately, it has been Malzahn’s history to take a while every season to figure out what his team does well. Hopefully improvement will come. If not, it will be a difficult season.

I do believe the defense is improving rapidly, and as strange as it may sound after only producing 225 yards of total offense, I think the offensive line showed some improvement this week.  More to come? Let’s hope so!

WAR EAGLE!!

 

[johnnyAU 3,770]

21 minutes ago, JMR said:

Enough of the “swinging gate” PAT. That play isn’t fooling anyone anymore, and this week it cost AU a delay-of-game penalty.

Good Lord I hate the swinging gate. Just line up and kick the freaking ball!

[Ber798297 241]

Thanks Coach!!  I look forward to your posts every week during the season.  As much as I watch football, I don’t know much about Xs and Os because I never played (I’m female) and I learn a lot from your posts and a couple of others on this site.  Thanks again!

[AUsince72 11,084]

Thank you Coach.  Fantastic observations as always.

I'm unusually concerned with the offense after this past week....losing two key players and the "weirdness" that the offense displayed.  As you mentioned, the poor communication, the visceral frustration seen by CCL & Stidham, etc.

I hope you're right that it's just 2018's version of the typical Gus Malzahn growing pains.  

Thanks for the level headed approach to counter my little green men approach!!

War Eagle!!

[johnnyAU 3,770]

Devwah Whaley might have needed some smelling salts after that hit from Dean. 

[AidiAU 1,270]

Dean’s hit was awesome.

Do you think we are doing Anders a disservice by letting him kick so far out? I dont want his misses to start messing with his head. I thought his miss against LSU was because of a poor snap, but last night was somewhat weird. 

[around4ever 4,140]

Excellent as usual!  I do have to question what you saw with the O Line.  I saw each get beaten time and time again.  I did like what I saw with Brahms.  He will be a good one.  Horton is a mystery but it may be due to the injury.  If the injury affects him that badly shouldn't we have somebody else in there?  

[johnnyAU 3,770]

Coach, any reason Ashley isn't getting any playing time at all? 

[aubaseball 3,134]

I thought the line played about as poorly as a line can play.    I maybe too critical since it was first game starting but the center snaps to the QB seemed awfully slow.   

[Swamp Eagle 5,446]

I trust your expertise, JR, but I still can't get the images of our O-Linemen chasing their D-Linemen to our QB out of my head.

Edited September 25, 2018 by Swamp Eagle

[Gowebb11 10,717]

34 minutes ago, JMR said:

I don’t know whether it was a personnel situation, with Arkansas starting a new QB, or something Kevin Steele saw in Arkansas’ pass protection, but Auburn blitzed a bunch in this game. Those blitzes were effective, “getting home” more often than not.

We have some DBs who get after the QB when turned loose. Tutt was sent once and forced a hurry, and Sherwood, Peters, and Monday gets to the QB quick. Hope we see more of that. While it wasn’t a blitz, and only one play,  Jibunor has great burst off the edge. We need to see more of him on third and long. 

[RunInRed 19,658]

1 hour ago, JMR said:

Enough of the “swinging gate” PAT. That play isn’t fooling anyone anymore, and this week it cost AU a delay-of-game penalty.

Thank you.

[JMR 2,118]

LMAO!! You guys are a tough crowd!  I didn’t say the OL played well. I said they “improved”.  I looked at each individual. Brahms was an improvement. Tega has definitely improved. Driscoll was “ok”.  I saw Horton make a few plays, which is more than he has done so far this season. Harrell was a little better, but still not acceptable. 

Someone asked why Ashley isn’t playing at all. I don’t know, but his coach says he “just isn’t there yet”, whatever that means. I thought Troxell might get a look at guard this week, but guess not. 

[AUpocalypse 12]

3 hours ago, JMR said:

Enough of the “swinging gate” PAT. That play isn’t fooling anyone anymore, and this week it cost AU a delay-of-game penalty.

equally as annoying as the Tony Franklin Meerkat pre-snap every offensive possession. 

[AUght2win 7,419]

4 hours ago, JMR said:

• Whatever the problem with Anders Carlson, he needs to get it remedied. It’s been a while since Auburn has been without a super-reliable kicker, and with the offense struggling of late, we need him to get in his groove.

The problem is his head coach giving him the unreasonable task of making 52-57 yard field goals. He is a freshman! Anders is fine. Malzahn (and the fans) need to stop acting like these NFL-level kicks are gimmes. I hope Gus doesn't ruin the kid's psyche by asking too much of him this early. 

[oracle79 3,569]

4 hours ago, JMR said:

Hopefully improvement will come. If not, it will be a difficult season.

Words of wisdom. Start tempering expectations now.

[Brad_ATX 13,654]

12 hours ago, AUght2win said:

The problem is his head coach giving him the unreasonable task of making 52-57 yard field goals. He is a freshman! Anders is fine. Malzahn (and the fans) need to stop acting like these NFL-level kicks are gimmes. I hope Gus doesn't ruin the kid's psyche by asking too much of him this early. 

Preach!  Patently unfair to the kid that half of his FG attempts have been from beyond 50 in his first four games.  He's 80% so far this year from under 50.  Lots of college teams would take that in a heartbeat.

[aubiefifty 19,321]

coach do you agree with this? i swiped iit from another site but it sounds legit. from a bummer fan as well.

 

Is this a fair assessment: I've watched 3 of your games. Stidham is actually better than last year, often I see the A and B gaps collapse causing him to get rid of ball quicker or force throws. Team are sitting on your RPOs knowing that it's a quick read. Yes I know you guys have a few O-line issues but some can be covered by moving the pocket to take advantage of Stidham athleticism. I think Gus asking him to sit in the pocket and get to his 3rd reads on long developing plays is killing your offense. Arkansas was playing a soft Cover 2 and occasionally bringing a safety into the box. It should of been Barbeque Pig all night.

[API 95]

19 hours ago, AidiAU said:

Dean’s hit was awesome.

Do you think we are doing Anders a disservice by letting him kick so far out? I dont want his misses to start messing with his head. I thought his miss against LSU was because of a poor snap, but last night was somewhat weird. 

 

Thought pretty much the same thing.  Other than the end of half, let's keep his kicks to 45 yards or so.  Nobody questions his leg, but the accuracy over 50 hasn't been good.  I'd rather have the field position.

[JMR 2,118]

54 minutes ago, aubiefifty said:

coach do you agree with this? i swiped iit from another site but it sounds legit. from a bummer fan as well.

 

Is this a fair assessment: I've watched 3 of your games. Stidham is actually better than last year, often I see the A and B gaps collapse causing him to get rid of ball quicker or force throws. Team are sitting on your RPOs knowing that it's a quick read. Yes I know you guys have a few O-line issues but some can be covered by moving the pocket to take advantage of Stidham athleticism. I think Gus asking him to sit in the pocket and get to his 3rd reads on long developing plays is killing your offense. Arkansas was playing a soft Cover 2 and occasionally bringing a safety into the box. It should of been Barbeque Pig all night.

I agree with some of that, but the statement that “Stidham is actually better than last year” is pretty silly. 

[auburn4ever 1,266]

Can we play any worse then what we did against Arkansas and still win? This is the same Arkansas who was got blown out of their own stadium by North Texas 44-17. The wasn't as close as the score says.

Edited September 24, 2018 by auburn4ever

[japantiger 4,279]

Is there any aspect of the offense that has gotten better vs last year?

[JMR 2,118]

6 minutes ago, japantiger said:

Is there any aspect of the offense that has gotten better vs last year?

No. Absolutely not. 

[RunInRed 19,658]

After watching last night’s SNF game, I realized how much we did not appreciate enough KJ.  Granted, RB isn’t our only issue but a star back there covers up (and opens up a lot).

[RunInRed 19,658]

On 9/23/2018 at 6:34 PM, AidiAU said:

Dean’s hit was awesome.