Auburn vs. Florida - The Rumble in the Jungle Review
This recap is kind of small. Being at the game makes me concentrate less and obviously not make notes about things on the field. So, this is shortish. I will try better next time.
Defense
I could use a bunch of clichés about the game on Saturday. It was a tale of two halves would probably work. Instead, I will point out that essentially, Auburn’s defense finally grew a pair and grew up. Well, okay that remains to be seen, but it is definitely more promising than a week ago at this point. Kudos to Tuberville who was obviously pissed off at halftime and let his team and his staff know it. For Florida to be able to gain close to 200 yards on only 18 plays in the first half was unacceptable. The defense was unable to mount anything close to a competent attack.
I thought that the youth and inexperience on defense was contributing to the lack of aggressiveness and it seems, based on post game comments that was/is the problem. Have those issues been fixed? We shall see. The bottom line is that I finally saw what looked like an Auburn defense show up in the second half. The speed and aggressiveness confused Florida and particularly frustrated Chris Leak. There are still issues to fix, but getting the young guys to play without fear is the first step.
Offense
Just like the defense, the offense needed to get its head out of its butt and play better. It seemed that the pep talk/ass chewing helped. Auburn was able to control the clock in the second half and keep Florida’s offense off the field. The offense is still not the force that it has been in the past, but I think that is just what we will have to deal with. The line is going to give up sacks, but will hold blocks long enough some plays and steamroll defenders on others. Cox will make horrendous passes like some of those that he put at the feet of his receivers and he will also throw strikes into tight coverage to convert third downs. Sometimes the young receivers will get wide open when cornerbacks and safeties fall asleep and then there will be times that they can’t create separation. Like I said, the offense is what it is and no amount of creative play-calling and scheming will fix that. The only things that will help are 1) more Brad Lester, 2) a healthy Brandon Cox, and 3) attempting to establish something downfield in the passing game. Those three issues need work for the offense to get close to competent. Remember, Auburn’s offense is averaging around 15 ppg in SEC play. That is not good enough to beat Georgia and Alabama.
Special Teams
Matt Clark and Kody Bliss, good. John Vaughn, be glad the defense bailed you out. Oh and I hate kickers. Just saying.
I could use a bunch of clichés about the game on Saturday. It was a tale of two halves would probably work. Instead, I will point out that essentially, Auburn’s defense finally grew a pair and grew up. Well, okay that remains to be seen, but it is definitely more promising than a week ago at this point. Kudos to Tuberville who was obviously pissed off at halftime and let his team and his staff know it. For Florida to be able to gain close to 200 yards on only 18 plays in the first half was unacceptable. The defense was unable to mount anything close to a competent attack.
I thought that the youth and inexperience on defense was contributing to the lack of aggressiveness and it seems, based on post game comments that was/is the problem. Have those issues been fixed? We shall see. The bottom line is that I finally saw what looked like an Auburn defense show up in the second half. The speed and aggressiveness confused Florida and particularly frustrated Chris Leak. There are still issues to fix, but getting the young guys to play without fear is the first step.
Offense
Just like the defense, the offense needed to get its head out of its butt and play better. It seemed that the pep talk/ass chewing helped. Auburn was able to control the clock in the second half and keep Florida’s offense off the field. The offense is still not the force that it has been in the past, but I think that is just what we will have to deal with. The line is going to give up sacks, but will hold blocks long enough some plays and steamroll defenders on others. Cox will make horrendous passes like some of those that he put at the feet of his receivers and he will also throw strikes into tight coverage to convert third downs. Sometimes the young receivers will get wide open when cornerbacks and safeties fall asleep and then there will be times that they can’t create separation. Like I said, the offense is what it is and no amount of creative play-calling and scheming will fix that. The only things that will help are 1) more Brad Lester, 2) a healthy Brandon Cox, and 3) attempting to establish something downfield in the passing game. Those three issues need work for the offense to get close to competent. Remember, Auburn’s offense is averaging around 15 ppg in SEC play. That is not good enough to beat Georgia and Alabama.
Special Teams
Matt Clark and Kody Bliss, good. John Vaughn, be glad the defense bailed you out. Oh and I hate kickers. Just saying.
posted by Buford T. Justice at 10:14 AM
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