Observations from first half of Auburn vs. Georgia Southern

Sep 7, 2017, 1:14 PM

1. First two drives, the Auburn offense looked pretty good. The QB Stidham is a fairly big mobile guy with a strong arm. He doesn't have great feet to make a move, but he can exploit an open field with decent speed. His first few throws were accurate with some zip. Seemed fairly comfortable in the pocket. Sputtered on one drive and missed a field goal on another.

Defense was big strong and fast. They dominated the GS defensive line and, with no threat to throw, the safeties were focused on run support. Got good pressure with only 4 rushers when GS did try to throw it.

2. 3rd drive Stidham threw a pick on a medium distance throw over the middle. Receiver was open, but the ball was thrown slightly behind where it should have been and the defender showed a good burst and made a very nice play on the ball.

3. On the 4th drive, GS blitzed from outside the left tackle, which the left tackle did not pick up, and Stidham was blindsided. His head snapped back and the ball came out for a scoop and score. He wasn't the same guy after that. He got happy feet, was looking to run at the slightest perception of pressure, in some cases when he had more time than he thought or should have thrown it away. He was obviously rattled and the offense did not operate as smoothly after that point.

end of 1st quarter - Auburn 10 Georgia Southern 7

4. On their 5th drive, Stidham had happy feet and looked uncomfortable. Nice pass on a first down, but cute play calling with the wildcat on 3rd and 3 resulted in a TFL and they missed the field goal.

5. Johnson pulls up on a long run and just falls to ground clutching his right hamstring. At that point, he is the only real offensive threat/playmaker. Stidham has helped with his throwing and running, but has not looked comfortable or thrown consistently well since the blindside hit. I don't think Johnson will play this weekend against us. His replacement reminded me of Wayne. Same number, but same running style, quickness and overall speed.

6. Auburn defensive front is starting to look tired. GS quarterback runs option past a slowed down defensive end and turns upfield and runs past people for a big gainer. I was thinking how Kelly Bryant might do in that situation with his speed.

Half - Auburn 24 GS 7

Auburn's defense looked good, but, like us, the opponent didn't allow much of a test. Their offense seems to lack playmakers if Johnson can't play. He has the speed to create some long runs. I know they get another WR back and another RB back, but he is more of a pounder than Johnson. Stidham looks pretty good and physically capable, but he hasn't played in the last few years and seemed to get rattled after one hard hit. Overall, they reminded me a bit of FSU. Excellent talent on the field, but not disciplined. The offense had a number of unforced errors and sputters.

We are a faster team this year than we were last year. I don't think the Auburn Tigers have the playmakers on offense to beat us with their Johnson out if we don't turn the ball over.

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I did not say the left tackle got beat. I said the left tackle did not pick him up. The left tackle doubled down on the DT with the left guard. I wasn't assigning responsibility. The point was he was unblocked and blindsided the QB.

On the interception, I did not say the the ball was thrown behind the receiver. I said it was thrown behind where it should have been (thrown). It wasn't thrown behind him, but it was thrown behind where it should have been. That allowed the defender the opportunity to make the great play. He didn't put the ball out far enough so the receiver had to slow down and he also didn't drop it in and threw more of a line drive.

Your offense didn't look as smooth against an inferior opponent as it should have. The offensive line and the quarterback were not handling the pressure the way they should have against a team like GS. While both offenses were obviously vanilla in the first game, I didn't see enough playmakers on offense for you guys to match the speed and size we have on defense and the playmakers we have on offense. We are faster at every position group this year defensively.

Observations from first half of Auburn vs. Georgia Southern

Re: Observations from first half of Auburn vs. Georgia Southern

Re: Observations from first half of Auburn vs. Georgia Southern

Re: Observations from first half of Auburn vs. Georgia Southern

I have flashbacks to Lousiville

Re: I have flashbacks to Lousiville

Wait, you had a play where a RB was supposed to pick

So final score should have 77-0 Auburn.***

Re: Observations from first half of Auburn vs. Georgia Southern

Re: Observations from first half of Auburn vs. Georgia Southern

Re: Observations from first half of Auburn vs. Georgia Southern

Whoa... TL;DR***

Re: Observations from first half of Auburn vs. Georgia Southern

I think we blitz on the first drive to rattle

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