time to lower expectations

[aubiefifty 19,321]

It's time to lower expectations on these Auburn Tigers

Updated 6:55 AM; Posted Sep 29, 9:55 PM

6-7 minutes

They let Auburn quarterback Jarrett Stidham chunk the ball as far as he could on the first play of the game here on Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Maybe they wanted to give the homecoming crowd some offense to cheer about after last week's mind-numbing performance against Arkansas. Maybe wake up Stidham's arm at the same time. It was worth a shot.

This Auburn offense was billed as a high-flying, big-play bonanza before this season, but that hasn't happened. Stidham entered homecoming against Southern Miss tied for 11th in the SEC in passing plays of 30 or more yards. Had that bomb on the first play of the game connected with freshman receiver Seth Williams, it would have given Stidham four deep passes on the season.

Or about the number of big passing plays Alabama produces in one quarter these days.

Stidham's pass fell incomplete, and Auburn's offense went three-and-out on its first series against Southern Miss.

It didn't get much better, or more palatable, after that.

If Auburn's victory against Arkansas was revealing, then the follow-up performance against Southern Miss was confirmation. There is no easy fix to this Auburn offense -- no deep bomb to dial up and paper over all the mess. After Auburn 24, Southern Miss 13, it's time to lower the expectations on the Tigers.

3 Auburn offensive starters sustain injuries

Three Auburn offensive starters suffered injuries during the Tigers' win over Southern Miss on Saturday.

Sure, Auburn can still win this season, and maybe even shock a team or two in the process, but they're going to have to do it in all those ugly ways that require a bottle of Rolaids to watch. The defense appears to be good enough to keep games close, and special teams can make plays. The offense is a liability at this point, however, and so far behind in its projected development that it's fair to start questioning something other than inexperience along the offensive line.

"I think the big thing is consistency," Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said. "We did hit a couple big plays...but anytime you can run the football it helps everything else. We had trouble running it tonight, and I think the big thing for me probably is that it got ugly with our protection. They knew we were passing the football, and Jarrett was running around."

The line lacked playing time at the beginning of the season. It was an understandable excuse. When a team is five games into a season, though, experience stops being a problem. At this point, Auburn's offensive line is just an underperforming unit.

Auburn's offense managed just 225 yards of total offense against Arkansas (91 yards rushing). What adjustments were made? Apparently none. In the first quarter against Southern Miss, Auburn had about as many yards of offense (63) as penalty yards (58).

The second series of the game was embarrassing to witness in the way that it's embarrassing to see someone walk off a curb while texting. It featured three penalties in four downs of football.

But the Blindly Texting Auburn Tigers stepped off the curb and into the abyss more than a few times in the first half alone.

The offense went three-and-out five times, and was lucky to be leading 14-3 at halftime. Not only did starting running back Boobee Whitlow injury his shoulder, but Auburn's offense had more penalty yards (63) than rushing yards (43).

Five minutes into the third quarter, Auburn had more yards punting (263) than total offense (231). If not for two long passing plays -- a touchdown to Seth Williams and a pass to Darius Clayton that set up another score -- Auburn wouldn't have had much offense, or scoring, at all.

Malzahn said his offense would improve after the loss to LSU. It hasn't, and a compelling argument can be made that it has gotten worse. He's flirting with disaster as the most difficult part of Auburn's schedule begins.

Auburn was a blown coverage or a pick six away from the unthinkable against Southern Miss. The Golden Eagles had the ball with a chance to tie the game with 11:39 left in the fourth quarter. Auburn's defense did it job, but how did the offense respond?

One more desperation throw by Stidham to avoid a sack and another punt.

What Malzahn said about 24-13 win against Southern Miss

Live updates as Gus Malzahn reviews Auburn's 24-13 win against Southern Miss.

Southern Miss again had a chance to tie the game on its next two offensive possessions. Finally, an interception by Auburn defensive back Christian Tutt with 4:44 left ended the threat of a homecoming upset. Auburn finished off the Group of 5 Golden Eagles with a short touchdown drive.

This appears to be Auburn's blueprint for success, so get used to it. Accept it. Learn to appreciate close games and clutch defensive plays in the fourth quarter. Auburn rushed for 91 yards against Arkansas in Week 4, and 96 yards against Southern Miss.

Auburn's defenders know the deal at this point. Maybe the offense finds a way to move the ball and score. Maybe not.

"Until then, if we get seven points, then we got to hold a team to six, or three or whatever the case may be," Auburn middle linebacker DeShaun Davis said. "However many points that we score, they have to score one less."

Mississippi State is next, and while the Bulldogs have been a disappointment with back-to-back losses to Kentucky and Florida, Auburn has shown no reason to assume a victory.

The Gus Bus is veering toward the cliff, and someone is texting at the wheel.

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

 

posted in the honor of on the plains.........

[OnthePlains 2,014]

5 minutes ago, aubiefifty said:

It's time to lower expectations on these Auburn Tigers

Updated 6:55 AM; Posted Sep 29, 9:55 PM

6-7 minutes

They let Auburn quarterback Jarrett Stidham chunk the ball as far as he could on the first play of the game here on Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Maybe they wanted to give the homecoming crowd some offense to cheer about after last week's mind-numbing performance against Arkansas. Maybe wake up Stidham's arm at the same time. It was worth a shot.

This Auburn offense was billed as a high-flying, big-play bonanza before this season, but that hasn't happened. Stidham entered homecoming against Southern Miss tied for 11th in the SEC in passing plays of 30 or more yards. Had that bomb on the first play of the game connected with freshman receiver Seth Williams, it would have given Stidham four deep passes on the season.

Or about the number of big passing plays Alabama produces in one quarter these days.

Stidham's pass fell incomplete, and Auburn's offense went three-and-out on its first series against Southern Miss.

It didn't get much better, or more palatable, after that.

If Auburn's victory against Arkansas was revealing, then the follow-up performance against Southern Miss was confirmation. There is no easy fix to this Auburn offense -- no deep bomb to dial up and paper over all the mess. After Auburn 24, Southern Miss 13, it's time to lower the expectations on the Tigers.

3 Auburn offensive starters sustain injuries

Three Auburn offensive starters suffered injuries during the Tigers' win over Southern Miss on Saturday.

Sure, Auburn can still win this season, and maybe even shock a team or two in the process, but they're going to have to do it in all those ugly ways that require a bottle of Rolaids to watch. The defense appears to be good enough to keep games close, and special teams can make plays. The offense is a liability at this point, however, and so far behind in its projected development that it's fair to start questioning something other than inexperience along the offensive line.

"I think the big thing is consistency," Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said. "We did hit a couple big plays...but anytime you can run the football it helps everything else. We had trouble running it tonight, and I think the big thing for me probably is that it got ugly with our protection. They knew we were passing the football, and Jarrett was running around."

The line lacked playing time at the beginning of the season. It was an understandable excuse. When a team is five games into a season, though, experience stops being a problem. At this point, Auburn's offensive line is just an underperforming unit.

Auburn's offense managed just 225 yards of total offense against Arkansas (91 yards rushing). What adjustments were made? Apparently none. In the first quarter against Southern Miss, Auburn had about as many yards of offense (63) as penalty yards (58).

The second series of the game was embarrassing to witness in the way that it's embarrassing to see someone walk off a curb while texting. It featured three penalties in four downs of football.

But the Blindly Texting Auburn Tigers stepped off the curb and into the abyss more than a few times in the first half alone.

The offense went three-and-out five times, and was lucky to be leading 14-3 at halftime. Not only did starting running back Boobee Whitlow injury his shoulder, but Auburn's offense had more penalty yards (63) than rushing yards (43).

Five minutes into the third quarter, Auburn had more yards punting (263) than total offense (231). If not for two long passing plays -- a touchdown to Seth Williams and a pass to Darius Clayton that set up another score -- Auburn wouldn't have had much offense, or scoring, at all.

Malzahn said his offense would improve after the loss to LSU. It hasn't, and a compelling argument can be made that it has gotten worse. He's flirting with disaster as the most difficult part of Auburn's schedule begins.

Auburn was a blown coverage or a pick six away from the unthinkable against Southern Miss. The Golden Eagles had the ball with a chance to tie the game with 11:39 left in the fourth quarter. Auburn's defense did it job, but how did the offense respond?

One more desperation throw by Stidham to avoid a sack and another punt.

What Malzahn said about 24-13 win against Southern Miss

Live updates as Gus Malzahn reviews Auburn's 24-13 win against Southern Miss.

Southern Miss again had a chance to tie the game on its next two offensive possessions. Finally, an interception by Auburn defensive back Christian Tutt with 4:44 left ended the threat of a homecoming upset. Auburn finished off the Group of 5 Golden Eagles with a short touchdown drive.

This appears to be Auburn's blueprint for success, so get used to it. Accept it. Learn to appreciate close games and clutch defensive plays in the fourth quarter. Auburn rushed for 91 yards against Arkansas in Week 4, and 96 yards against Southern Miss.

Auburn's defenders know the deal at this point. Maybe the offense finds a way to move the ball and score. Maybe not.

"Until then, if we get seven points, then we got to hold a team to six, or three or whatever the case may be," Auburn middle linebacker DeShaun Davis said. "However many points that we score, they have to score one less."

Mississippi State is next, and while the Bulldogs have been a disappointment with back-to-back losses to Kentucky and Florida, Auburn has shown no reason to assume a victory.

The Gus Bus is veering toward the cliff, and someone is texting at the wheel.

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

 

posted in the honor of on the plains.........

Consider my expectations lowered...

[aubiefifty 19,321]

Just now, OnthePlains said:

Consider my expectations lowered...

i saw this and thought of you. fair is fair and this tells the tale to me.

[Win4AU 4,294]

The line about the bus is heading toward the cliff and the driver is texting is great.  As bad as this offense is 9-3 and a decent bowl is not out of the question.  Auburn could get their brains beat in by UCF in Atlanta again.

[aubiefifty 19,321]

1 minute ago, Win4AU said:

The line about the bus is heading toward the cliff and the driver is texting is great.  As bad as this offense is 9-3 and a decent bowl is not out of the question.  Auburn could get their brains beat in by UCF in Atlanta again.

i have not gone to the dark side but after five games i am really disappointed. i will however continue to pull for my tigers always as that will never change. it is too late now but i wish briles could help stid out. and yes i know the o line needs serious work as well. i think hand left us in poor shape with the oline and i see no quick fixes.

[OnthePlains 2,014]

I can’t speak for everyone who has railed on Gus but I’ll say this...I swear by all thats good and holy I want that man to succeed. I really really do. I don’t derive any pleasure from that sh## show we saw last night. I wish we had come out blazing and hung 50 on them and I would gladly have come on here and said yes we looked a lot better and taken all of Mikey’s Gus Brigade’s sunshine pumping...but, for me as a long time Auburn guy, we’ve seen this before, a good, solid man with good intentions who finds a way to not get us over the hump or thru whatever glass ceiling we cannot seem to break thru at AU. And this is not entirely about what our hick rivals are doing either. Tubs had a run against down bama squads and still managed to underachieve overall. I just want that guy, that one coach with a fire in his belly, the guy who will come in and say 8-4 is not acceptable at Auburn, Losing to our rivals more than winning is unacceptable at Auburn. He doesn’t have to go 6-0 or 5-1 against them but at least break even and don’t embarrass us with these odd offensive performances where we look lost and inept. 

[aubaseball 3,141]

I’m sorry but unless special teams and defense scores, no way is auburn going 9-3 not with the way the offense is playing right now.    Just not going to happen 

[Rednilla 5,480]

I wasn't able to watch past the lightening delay because the SEC Alternate channel on Dish wasn't working (or something), but listening to the game on the radio did at least give me a little bit of encouragement. The USM defense is apparently pretty good (came in at 9th in the country, albeit against inferior competition to what we will face), and we were able to put together a few drives against them. I still have serious doubts about how well our O-line will do going forward (as I know we all do) unless Southern's defensive line is just really good for a Group of 5 team, and I'm really interested in how Calvin Ashley looked after Driscoll went down because he has the talent to be a game changer. Still, though, not much positive that can be taken from the offensive showings thus far this season.

[Rednilla 5,480]

4 minutes ago, OnthePlains said:

I can’t speak for everyone who has railed on Gus but I’ll say this...I swear by all thats good and holy I want that man to succeed. I really really do. I don’t derive any pleasure from that sh## show we saw last night. I wish we had come out blazing and hung 50 on them and I would gladly have come on here and said yes we looked a lot better and taken all of Mikey’s Gus Brigade’s sunshine pumping...but, for me as a long time Auburn guy, we’ve seen this before, a good, solid man with good intentions who finds a way to not get us over the hump or thru whatever glass ceiling we cannot seem to break thru at AU. And this is not entirely about what our hick rivals are doing either. Tubs had a run against down bama squads and still managed to underachieve overall. I just want that guy, that one coach with a fire in his belly, the guy who will come in and say 8-4 is not acceptable at Auburn, Losing to our rivals more than winning is unacceptable at Auburn. He doesn’t have to go 6-0 or 5-1 against them but at least break even and don’t embarrass us with these odd offensive performances where we look lost and inept. 

I must say that I agree with all of this.

[aubiefifty 19,321]

2 minutes ago, Rednilla said:

I wasn't able to watch past the lightening delay because the SEC Alternate channel on Dish wasn't working (or something), but listening to the game on the radio did at least give me a little bit of encouragement. The USM defense is apparently pretty good (came in at 9th in the country, albeit against inferior competition to what we will face), and we were able to put together a few drives against them. I still have serious doubts about how well our O-line will do going forward (as I know we all do) unless Southern's defensive line is just really good for a Group of 5 team, and I'm really interested in how Calvin Ashley looked after Driscoll went down because he has the talent to be a game changer. Still, though, not much positive that can be taken from the offensive showings thus far this season.

direct tv let me down as well. i am pretty upset about that and i intend to complain next week. those cats get big money and then leave us hanging? not exceptable.

[kd4au 1,145]

I lowered my expectations after the LSU game. You could say I'm depressed over the situation were in right now on offense. We need (as I have said before ) a proven SEC OC that is also a top QB coach.Chip is not going to get us where we want to go. Gus hired a proven DC in Steele and it has paid off big time, he needs to do the same on offense.

[NoALtiger 4,309]

12 minutes ago, OnthePlains said:

I can’t speak for everyone who has railed on Gus but I’ll say this...I swear by all thats good and holy I want that man to succeed. I really really do. I don’t derive any pleasure from that sh## show we saw last night. I wish we had come out blazing and hung 50 on them and I would gladly have come on here and said yes we looked a lot better and taken all of Mikey’s Gus Brigade’s sunshine pumping...but, for me as a long time Auburn guy, we’ve seen this before, a good, solid man with good intentions who finds a way to not get us over the hump or thru whatever glass ceiling we cannot seem to break thru at AU. And this is not entirely about what our hick rivals are doing either. Tubs had a run against down bama squads and still managed to underachieve overall. I just want that guy, that one coach with a fire in his belly, the guy who will come in and say 8-4 is not acceptable at Auburn, Losing to our rivals more than winning is unacceptable at Auburn. He doesn’t have to go 6-0 or 5-1 against them but at least break even and don’t embarrass us with these odd offensive performances where we look lost and inept. 

Gus will never say 8-4 is unacceptable. He’ll spin the truth until your dizzy though. 

[aubiefifty 19,321]

2 minutes ago, kd4au said:

I lowered my expectations after the LSU game. You could say I'm depressed over the situation were in right now on offense. We need (as I have said before ) a proven SEC OC that is also a top QB coach.Chip is not going to get us where we want to go. Gus hired a proven DC in Steele and it has paid off big time, he needs to do the same on offense.

i am not sure chip is getting a fair deal. i am betting he has yet to run his full offense since he has been at auburn. he set tons of records at smu and did well in the desert. he comes to auburn and he is dumb? i just cannot get behind that

[aubiefifty 19,321]

i wish we had a real reporter with fuzzy testicles that will ask gus the hard question's and demand a real answer when he deflects. other than injuries.

[OnthePlains 2,014]

10 minutes ago, aubiefifty said:

direct tv let me down as well. i am pretty upset about that and i intend to complain next week. those cats get big money and then leave us hanging? not exceptable.

Just an fyi...we dropped direct a few months ago and now stream everything and I love it. We have xfinitity tv and I pay the extra 30 a month on hulu to get live sporting events. So between that and the espn app I’m able to watch any games I would have with direct. Saved a few bucks too. 

[kd4au 1,145]

2 minutes ago, aubiefifty said:

i am not sure chip is getting a fair deal. i am betting he has yet to run his full offense since he has been at auburn. he set tons of records at smu and did well in the desert. he comes to auburn and he is dumb? i just cannot get behind that

You could be right. I also think that any OC should be able to hire his own staff, they need to work together as an unit. You need an O-line coach that can coach the type blocking schemes and a WR coach that can coach the routes you want run ect. 

[kd4au 1,145]

1 minute ago, OnthePlains said:

Just an fyi...we dropped direct a few months ago and now stream everything and I love it. We have xfinitity tv and I pay the extra 30 a month on hulu to get live sporting events. So between that and the espn app I’m able to watch any games I would have with direct. Saved a few bucks too. 

We did the same but went with Sling for sports.

[Win4AU 4,294]

If you take the 30k foot view this offense will turn.  3 top tier RBs last year.  Great WRs paying off immediately and Pickens will be a freshman starter.  One of the top Qbs in the country.  2 good TE recruits.  Need to recruit some depth on the Oline.

 

[gr82be 15,266]

7 minutes ago, OnthePlains said:

I can’t speak for everyone who has railed on Gus but I’ll say this...I swear by all thats good and holy I want that man to succeed. I really really do. I don’t derive any pleasure from that sh## show we saw last night. I wish we had come out blazing and hung 50 on them and I would gladly have come on here and said yes we looked a lot better and taken all of Mikey’s Gus Brigade’s sunshine pumping...but, for me as a long time Auburn guy, we’ve seen this before, a good, solid man with good intentions who finds a way to not get us over the hump or thru whatever glass ceiling we cannot seem to break thru at AU. And this is not entirely about what our hick rivals are doing either. Tubs had a run against down bama squads and still managed to underachieve overall. I just want that guy, that one coach with a fire in his belly, the guy who will come in and say 8-4 is not acceptable at Auburn, Losing to our rivals more than winning is unacceptable at Auburn. He doesn’t have to go 6-0 or 5-1 against them but at least break even and don’t embarrass us with these odd offensive performances where we look lost and inept. 

Amen!, As Julius said in Remember the Titans,  "attitude reflects leadership" and the coaches need to have that "fire in the belly". Steele obviously does but who else? I've been in Gus's corner for a long time but he needs to come out throwing punches and quit dancing around. He's losing the fans who supported him a long time. I hope he hasn't lost the team. 

[aubiefifty 19,321]

1 minute ago, OnthePlains said:

Just an fyi...we dropped direct a few months ago and now stream everything and I love it. We have xfinitity tv and I pay the extra 30 a month on hulu to get live sporting events. So between that and the espn app I’m able to watch any games I would have with direct. Saved a few bucks too. 

thanx plains. i am locked in for another six months or so and i plan to change........

 

2 minutes ago, kd4au said:

You could be right. I also think that any OC should be able to hire his own staff, they need to work together as an unit. You need an O-line coach that can coach the type blocking schemes and a WR coach that can coach the routes you want run ect. 

just as odd man out i do not blame grimes. you cannot make chicken salad out of chicken doody. hand hurt us far more than i feared before. his lines always give up big numbers in sacks and i believe in my heart his teaching fundamentals screwed us big time. drill the the wrong fundamentals for two years and then coming in to change things with limited resources would be near impossible i belieive. but i am just a fan so i could be very very wrong.

[OnthePlains 2,014]

Wow, I just saw that Nebraska lost again and to Purdue...at home...things could certainly be worse folks...

[kd4au 1,145]

3 minutes ago, aubiefifty said:

just as odd man out i do not blame grimes. you cannot make chicken salad out of chicken doody. hand hurt us far more than i feared before. his lines always give up big numbers in sacks and i believe in my heart his teaching fundamentals screwed us big time. drill the the wrong fundamentals for two years and then coming in to change things with limited resources would be near impossible i belieive. but i am just a fan so i could be very very wrong.

Was not blaming Grimes, I'm a huge fan of JB's, just think the OC should have his own people so everyone is on the same page.

[yngwie1995 2,734]

48 minutes ago, aubiefifty said:

i saw this and thought of you. fair is fair and this tells the tale to me.

[aubiefifty 19,321]

yes my grimes statement was not aimed at anyone specific. but what you said makes a ton of sense.

[AUJedi 243]

16 minutes ago, OnthePlains said:

Wow, I just saw that Nebraska lost again and to Purdue...at home...things could certainly be worse folks...

But get back to us in 5 years and see if that’s the case. I think Frost will have them rolling by then