flea'd from elsewhere (on a public forum)...
Agree 100% on his suggestion for running backs below (1st paragraph)...also agree that our run defense is major weakness....still can't set or maintain the edge...even against a FCS team...doesn't bode well for next week-end or other games on our schedule.
Not having Avery Young in the lineup hurt the continuity of a young Auburn offensive line. It forced Braden Smith to play out of position. The initial offensive game plan of throwing early and short to build Jeremy Johnson's confidence would have been far more successful had the running game delivered early on. Speaking of the running-game, there should be no doubt that Peyton Barber should be the featured back moving forward. It might be beneficial to slide Roc Thomas into the "Onterio McCalebb" role and for Barber and Jovon Robinson to be the inside attack. Roc Thomas and Kerryon Johnson are very dangerous in space. It was great to see the backs involved in the passing game. Hope this trend continues.
Jeremy Johnson continued to struggle but made some slight improvements in terms of throwing the ball away and running the ball, when he did not see a passing option. If he cannot improve in the vertical passing game, this offense will turn into the 2011 version, where opponents had all 11-defenders within 10-yards of the line of scrimmage the majority of snaps. The running game will be easier to defend with fewer opportunities to create impact plays.
As frustrating as it was to see the Auburn secondary playing soft the majority of the time, it was clear Will Muschamp was concerned about his young secondary being burned for the long play. Through 2 games, the Auburn defense has allowed only one play of 30-yards or more through 132 snaps defended. Last season, Auburn allowed a big play every 35 snaps defended. Of course it is early, and Auburn has yet to face a truly dangerous offense.
War Eagle!
Agree 100% on his suggestion for running backs below (1st paragraph)...also agree that our run defense is major weakness....still can't set or maintain the edge...even against a FCS team...doesn't bode well for next week-end or other games on our schedule.
- Last week against UL, 35.7% of Auburn's first down snaps on offense went for 3-yards or less. This week against JSU, it was 50.0%.
- Johnson has completed 78% of his passes (25/32) within 10-yards of the LOS and 28.5% (6/21) beyond 10-yards.
- From 2006-2014, Gus Malzahn's offense averaged an impact play (15+ yds) every 7.4 snaps. Two games into this season it is 1 every 18.8 snaps. This must change if Auburn is to win a conference game this season.
- During the 2013 season, 44.5% of Tre Mason's rush attempts netted at least 5-yards. Peyton Barber is currently hitting at 51.1% through 2 games.
- The Auburn offense has converted 41.7% of their third-downs during the first half, improving to 55.6% during the second-half. The Auburn defense has allowed a conversion rate of 55.6% during the first-half and 42.9% during the second-half. Playing better during the second-half is a possible bright spot for a very young Auburn team moving forward.
- The average distance required to convert a third-down for the Auburn offense has been 7.3 yards through 2 games. This needs to change very soon as Auburn goes into conference play.
- Speaking of 3rd & long, the Auburn offense is averaging 5.5 yards per play on first-down with the statistical goal being at least 6-yards. This must improve to prevent the third and long situations.
- Last year Auburn finished at No. 106 nationally in fumble recovery percentage. Auburn recovered only 37%. Through 7 games, Auburn has recovered only 1 of 7 fumbles (14%).
- Auburn allowed 5.4 yards per play during the first-half and 4.4 yards during the second-half.
- Defense losing steam? 51.2% of the first-half snaps defended have resulted in 2-yards or less. That percentage drops to 39% during the second-half. Of the tackles for loss, 82% have come during the first-half.
- Auburn has allowed 2.8 yards per rush during the first-half and 5.4 yards per rush during the second-half.
- Ricardo Louis has been the most targeted Auburn Tiger in the passing game with 20. Duke Williams is No. 2 with 12 passes thrown his way through 2 games.
- Ricardo Louis and Peyton Barber have accounted for 51% of Auburn's offensive snaps and 57% of the total yardage gained through 2 games.
- In regards to the weekly statistical report cards, the 2015 Auburn Tigers are 50% on offense, 57% on defense and 71% on special teams. The 2013 Auburn Tigers were 75% on offense, 49% on defense and 72% on special teams. The 2014 Auburn Tigers were 75% on offense, 48% on defense and 53% on special teams. It is early but thus far, the defense and special teams has improved and the offense has taken a major dive.
- Auburn's defensive tackles have accounted for 66% of the DL's tackles. Auburn truly needs a DE to step up not named, Carl Lawson.
- Rudy Ford is becoming a star and very dependable player. It is good to see a player excel after a major position change. He showed great promise last season and has picked up from where he left off. Carlton Davis is making classic freshman mistakes but I can see why the coaching staff likes his potential.
- The Auburn defense was No. 44 nationally in "tackles for loss" ratio, with 1 every 11.1 snaps defended. The Tigers are currently averaging 1 every 11.3 snaps.
- Run-defense remains a major issue for the Auburn defense. The Tigers have allowed 180.1 yards rushing from 2011-2015 (54 games), where the opponent has rushed for at least 150-yards during 59% of the games played.
Not having Avery Young in the lineup hurt the continuity of a young Auburn offensive line. It forced Braden Smith to play out of position. The initial offensive game plan of throwing early and short to build Jeremy Johnson's confidence would have been far more successful had the running game delivered early on. Speaking of the running-game, there should be no doubt that Peyton Barber should be the featured back moving forward. It might be beneficial to slide Roc Thomas into the "Onterio McCalebb" role and for Barber and Jovon Robinson to be the inside attack. Roc Thomas and Kerryon Johnson are very dangerous in space. It was great to see the backs involved in the passing game. Hope this trend continues.
Jeremy Johnson continued to struggle but made some slight improvements in terms of throwing the ball away and running the ball, when he did not see a passing option. If he cannot improve in the vertical passing game, this offense will turn into the 2011 version, where opponents had all 11-defenders within 10-yards of the line of scrimmage the majority of snaps. The running game will be easier to defend with fewer opportunities to create impact plays.
As frustrating as it was to see the Auburn secondary playing soft the majority of the time, it was clear Will Muschamp was concerned about his young secondary being burned for the long play. Through 2 games, the Auburn defense has allowed only one play of 30-yards or more through 132 snaps defended. Last season, Auburn allowed a big play every 35 snaps defended. Of course it is early, and Auburn has yet to face a truly dangerous offense.
War Eagle!
