Is the fact that it wasn't a fluke. Not even close. It wasn't like Jacksonville State benefitted from some crazy trick plays, lucky bounces, or favorable calls. They simply came into Jordan-Hare and thoroughly whipped us on both sides of the ball. They were unquestionably the better team. If not for the ineptitude of their special teams play and one of the most obvious missed holding calls I've ever seen...they win by multiple scores.
Sluggishness is one thing. I can maybe understand sluggishness. We just came off a hard-fought opening week win against a P-5 opponent and have an SEC showdown looming next week in Baton Rouge. Sure, it's easy to overlook someone like Jacksonville State under those circumstances. But to be physically dominated by a team that doesn't have a fraction of the depth or talent we have? To be outplayed throughout much of the second half even after we realize that we just walked into a dogfight? I'm not sure what to make of that.
To be completely honest, I wouldn't have been too upset to see the Gamecocks pull it out at the end. They deserved it. Completely outmanned at every position, they came into Jordan-Hare 46 point underdogs, and played the game of their lives and almost pulled off possibly the greatest upset in college football history. And make no mistake about it, it would've went down right next to Appalachian State-Michigan if they would have held on. The talent deficit between us and them is so large, so insurmountable, that any Auburn team should be able to start their reserves and still win comfortably. So what is the only explanation for the most skilled Auburn team in recent memory getting taken to the wire yesterday? It has to be coaching, right? Either that of locker room issues. And since I don't sense those type of problems with this squad, you must look to the former. I've always been a Malzahn supporter and thought the questions raised about him last year were premature. The season is still young and I'm not calling for any drastic, knee jerk reactions. But I'd be lying if I said I didn't have my doubts now.
Sluggishness is one thing. I can maybe understand sluggishness. We just came off a hard-fought opening week win against a P-5 opponent and have an SEC showdown looming next week in Baton Rouge. Sure, it's easy to overlook someone like Jacksonville State under those circumstances. But to be physically dominated by a team that doesn't have a fraction of the depth or talent we have? To be outplayed throughout much of the second half even after we realize that we just walked into a dogfight? I'm not sure what to make of that.
To be completely honest, I wouldn't have been too upset to see the Gamecocks pull it out at the end. They deserved it. Completely outmanned at every position, they came into Jordan-Hare 46 point underdogs, and played the game of their lives and almost pulled off possibly the greatest upset in college football history. And make no mistake about it, it would've went down right next to Appalachian State-Michigan if they would have held on. The talent deficit between us and them is so large, so insurmountable, that any Auburn team should be able to start their reserves and still win comfortably. So what is the only explanation for the most skilled Auburn team in recent memory getting taken to the wire yesterday? It has to be coaching, right? Either that of locker room issues. And since I don't sense those type of problems with this squad, you must look to the former. I've always been a Malzahn supporter and thought the questions raised about him last year were premature. The season is still young and I'm not calling for any drastic, knee jerk reactions. But I'd be lying if I said I didn't have my doubts now.
