Yes, the opponent was astoundingly inept. Yes, this is the sort of game wherein Auburn should empty the bench. That said, there were still a lot of things to like about what we saw Saturday:
1) QB1 is named Nix and that battle with Finley couldn't have been remotely close. Finley looks the part and throws a dart, but he's slow and inaccurate for now. Bo looked confident, calm and completely in charge. The only thing preventing a perfect day was Kobe Hudson (on a slight overthrow that he gave no effort to catch and another pass right in his hands.) Still 20/22, 275, 3/0 is a pretty nice outing...in a half and three minutes.
2) Bo was assisted in his solid outing by an OL that allowed 2 TFLs, 1 QB hurry and 0 sacks. A quality day by the beef up front.
3) The other factor in keeping Bo's jersey clean, and due in large part to item #2, was the RB play. Tank and Worm are known entities (I submit that Shivers may be the hardest hitter on this team...no disrespect to Nos. 9 and 0), and it is bringing me some measure of relief to see Hunter & Jackson look capable with the rock. As a group, they rushed for 10.5 ypc and 275 yards.
4) Not to be lost in the shuffle, the WR corps decided to show out a bit. Bo spread the ball to 9 different receivers, including...and you might want to sit when you read this...FIVE PASSES TO A TIGHT END! I mean, we might get a NOI because I'm not certain that's a legal strategy.
5) Turnovers can take the wind out of an otherwise beautiful sail, but not a single offensive player coughed up the ball yesterday. Of concern, however, is that the defense failed to capitalize on 4 Akron fumbles and our vaunted secondary failed to produce a pick.
6) Defense...we knew they were talented, but they seem to have a different energy this year. My armchair theory: they know that they no longer have to drag an under-performing offense across the finish line every week. The D Line was active and deep. This group has gone from a question mark to a strength in my book. Snags tried to temper my enthusiasm by reminding me of the opponent, but the light seems to have suddenly come on for TD Moultry. He was running sideline to sideline and if he loafed any, I certainly missed it. Seemed like a far cry from the player we all knew and loathed.
7) Overall team look/energy: I gotta give 'em an A+. Maybe it's the honeymoon phase with the new staff or just the joy of pounding a cupcake into submission, but the team looked like they were having fun and supporting each other. Also, underrated is that fact that the team incurred 3 penalties for 25 yards...helluva a polished look for a season opener.
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