Chizik sucks worse than any caoch in history
Auburn has now amassed 1145-yards in their first two games, setting a new school record, previously set by the 1995 Auburn offense that totaled 1144-yards against Ole Miss and Tennessee Chattanooga.
Auburn has started off the season with back to back 300-yard rushing games, also a school record.
Ben Tate and Onterio McCalebb have back to back 100-yard games, also a school record.
Since 1992, Auburn’s offense has averaged just under 30-yards per offensive possession. The Tigers averaged 46.3 yards per possession against La. Tech and 49.1 yards per possession against Mississippi State.
Mississippi State averaged 5.68 yards per play on 1st down and Auburn averaged 5.51 yards.
Last week, the Auburn offense had only 6 impact plays on offense or plays of 15-yards or more. This included only 1 play of 30-yards or more. This week against MSU, Auburn had 16 impact plays for 382-yards, including 4 plays of 30-yards or more.
Hope Darvin Adams is not seriously hurt. Though he should have caught two third down passes, he finished out the first half with 5 receptions for 117-yards.
Chris Todd was not as accurate as he was against La. Tech but in this offense, he simply needs to make critical pass plays and limit his mistakes, which he did tonight. Todd was only 2 of 8 in passing on third down but two of those should have been caught.
Special teams were disappointing tonight. The blocked punt could have turned the game around for State and kick-off coverage was horrible. The kickoff, where the State player muffed the kick and had to run back to retrieve, there was still no one within 10-yards when he recovered the muff. It might be wise to put some starters from defense on kick coverage or it will come back to haunt Auburn before the season is over.
Once again, Coach Chizik allowed Malzahn to run his 2-minute offense with less than 2 minutes left in the first half. Auburn had a 21-17 lead and the ball at their own 22 but Chizik gave the green light to get more points and Malzahn’s offense delivered again.
Last week, the Auburn defense allowed only 3 impact plays but surrendered 5 to Mississippi State for 129-yards.
Auburn finally had their first 3 & out offensive series under Gus Malzahn but only 1 for the entire game. MSU had 4 series from 12 that went “3 & out”.
I thought Malzahn was creative mixing Mario Fannin in the running game early. He had 8 receptions last week but zero rushes. In the first half, Fannin had 3 rushed for 47-yards.
Last week, Mario Fannin was Todd’s primary receiver, as Todd threw 9 passes of 26 to Fannin. This week, Darvin Adams was the primary target with 8 passes thrown his way, catching 5. It will be interesting to see each week, which receiver will be the primary target and it’s an indicator of Malzahn changing his focus of attack each week.
Auburn was 4 for 4 in the redzone tonight with all four scores being TD’s.
It’s good to know the offense delivered the second week in a row, turning a close game into a blowout. West Virginia will possess the best quarterback Auburn has faced thus far and could pose a major threat next week. The Auburn offense will have to deliver again next week.
Though it appeared the Auburn defense struggled at times, 9 of MSU’s 12 possessions were held to under 30-yards and 8 were held to under 20-yards.
It sure is exciting watching an Auburn offense that is creative, consistent and even explosive at times. I said before the season started, the offense might have to carry the team at times and it’s good to know they will probably deliver.
Houston Nutt has not called any plays for Gus Malzahn through 2 games.