So far so good...

[StatTiger 3,146]

  One concern many Auburn fans had about Cameron Newton was his accuracy or how polished of a passer he would be. We have seen through the first two games, the added dimension he brings to the offense, when he decides to run with the football but in the end, this offense will only go as far as his passing ability. He clearly has the arm strength to stretch the field vertically and he has taken over the offense with his slashing runs but we have yet to see him dominate an opponent with his passing skills. So far, I’m excited from what I’ve seen in terms of him going through his progressions or redirecting his target selection.

The play…

  On this particular play, Auburn is 1st & 10 at the MSU 49-yard line. The play will be a play-action pass with the corner and OLB playing way off the receivers on the wide side of the field. The safeties are in a deep cover-2 and you can see Newton studying the secondary alignment just before the snap. The corner covering Zachery is playing nearly 10-yards off the line and will back up even further at the snap.

  At the snap, Newton play-actions with Michael Dyer and immediately focuses on the bubble screen to Emory Blake. The OLB responsible for Kodi Burns in the slot will jump the screen play, allowing the MLB to roll over on Burns. Terrell Zachery sprints up field, pushing the corner further back and then cuts off his route on a button-hook. After selling the screen look, Newton redirects his pass to Zachery for a 14-yard gain and an Auburn first down.

  Last week, when Newton hooked up with Mario Fannin, left wide open in the flat against Arkansas State, Fannin was actually his third option in his progression. Newton’s survey of the field was a primary reason why Fannin remained wide open in the flat. Eventually, Cameron Newton will be called upon to throw the ball 25-30 times and from what I’ve witnessed, I believe he will be up to the task.

[Plainstalk 32]

The image did not show up on my screen like most of your post.  I agree with your assesment of Newton his arm strength looks really good and he is more accurate than I thought he would be.  The one interception he threw was because the reciever (Adams) did not turn around and make a play on the ball.  The ball was over his head but the way Adams can jump I feel he could have hauled that pass in if he would have been looking.

[guerra aguila 0]

I think we will see a little more each week.

Hes still getting adjusted to SEC football and its going to take time.

I think he will have a big night against Clemson.

[walker77 0]

Breakout coming in next 2-games...

[LakeBum 187]

Stat, I enjoy your analysis of the plays we run.  Helps break down what we are doing and what to watch for during a game.

Any chance you could show us what some of Clemson's key formations/plays are and how you think AU will try to stop them so we know what to look for from them when they have the ball?   You may not have the same film on them that you get on Auburn which would make it hard to do.

Thanks!

[Rickys Rants 0]

There is no doubt that Cam is going to be a great QB, but am I the only one worried about the number of times he runs the ball?  I am not smart enough to know what play is called or what his 'reads' are during the play, but he seems to want to run a little quicker than I would like.  He is a great running QB, but since he prefers to 'run over' defenders instead of sliding, I am worried about him getting hurt.  Just a helmet to his throwing hand could knock him out for a couple of weeks......just sayin'

[StatTiger 3,146]

Stat, I enjoy your analysis of the plays we run.  Helps break down what we are doing and what to watch for during a game.

Any chance you could show us what some of Clemson's key formations/plays are and how you think AU will try to stop them so we know what to look for from them when they have the ball?   You may not have the same film on them that you get on Auburn which would make it hard to do.

Thanks!

Can't do it with pics because I don't have game film of Clemson but...

1) Clemson has struggled with the run, so look for Michael Dyer to have a coming out party.

2) Combine all ten of the their LB's and you have only 245 career tackles combined and one of the ten had 166 by himself. This translates to only one LB with 25 or more career tackles. They are young and very inexperienced at the LB position.

3) Clemson has surrendered 17 impact plays (15-yds or more) compared to the 8 Auburn's defense has allowed. Of those 17 impact plays, 9 have come via the ground game.

4) This past Saturday, Presbyterian's QB rushed for 53-yards on 7.6 yards per carry. Cam Newton could have a big game this Saturday.

5) Auburn is 9th in rushing and Clemson is 85th in run defense despite playing North Texas and Presbyterian.

Concerns...

  Kyle Parker currently has a passer rating of 192.2 but because he  has attempted only 26 passes, he is not currently ranked by the NCAA. If he was ranked, he would be No. 5 nationally. AU's defense currently 35th nationally in pass defense efficiency.

  Gus Malzahn has now OC'd 15 Auburn games. In those 15 games, Auburn's quarterbacks have been sacked at least 2 times in 8 games. In those 8 games, Auburn has averaged 353-yards per game and 2.7 TD's per game on offense. Malzahn's offense has struggled against 3-4 defenses. Clemson runs a base 4-3 but I bet they will be multiple Saturday night.

[aubtigerfan21 0]

good scouting report stat