Auburn Football: Gene Chizik Era - Auburn Host Alabama

Auburn just finished a heart breaking game with Rival Georgia. I got so many messages wondering what happened in this game. I know most are not going to like the answer to this question. Many will want me to write that Auburn did not play well. This simply was not the case. It was a case of a very talented Georgia Team playing a good game for the first time this year.

The secret to Georgia's success was the same as it has been for the three previous meetings. They used the advantage of superior strength on the Offensive and Defensive lines to wear Auburn out. Auburn's Offensive Line is fairly good technically, but has been whipped like new born kittens in Auburn's losses this year. It is not usually missed assignments or better strategy, it is just plain physical dominance. Our offensive line has to get much stronger to succeed in the SEC.

Our Defensive Tackles are not of SEC Caliber. They may or may not eventually get there, but they certainly are not there now. They have been shoved around like rag dolls all year. With Auburn running a 4-3 defense the defensive tackles must penetrate and stop up the middle. When they do not creases open and running backs run wild.

Our Line Backers do not play side to side well and are easily blocked. If Auburn had the Line Backers necessary to do so a 3-4 would better suit the talent available. Auburn's Talent Level at Line Backer is not of the quality that allows three to stop up the gaps. Auburn does not have a dominate Line Backer. This deficiency will only be corrected by recruiting. 

I need not go into our young and oft burned secondary. Safety was a big gap in our defense last night. This was expected with the injury of Josh Bynes. He was sorely missed last night. Auburn needs twice as many capable Defensive Backs as are currently available to pick up the level of performance.

The good news is that most of the personnel needed to improve these issues are being recruited at the moment and many are already committed verbally. Our Offensive Line was hurt due to the insistence of Tony Franklin that they drop in weight. This lost a year of strength training for them. We should have most if not all of them back next year with a good group of Freshmen to work in and bring along as well.

The news at Defensive Tackle is better. Auburn has Freshmen and Red Shirt Freshmen that will increase the size and strength of this position in the future. Defensive End is strong position for Auburn in the future even with the loss of Coleman to graduation.

Line Backer is a sore thumb for Auburn and is the biggest problem in the defense by far. There are some Freshmen and Red Shirt Freshmen who might develop as time rolls on. Spencer Pybus missed this entire season due to complications from concussion. It is not known if he will return. The good news is that there is some top talent verbally committed Auburn for next year. This will likely only add depth and not so much quality their Freshman Season though. There is Harris Gaston who was injured and will likely be returning for a bowl game this year. He did play through the first four games and that would add some experience if he returns healthy. If Pybus gets healthy and returns it would be a key factor at this position. 

Defensive Back: Zach Ethridge is out for the season. He may make it back for next season or may not. Auburn has some good prospects at this position they are just young. Auburn started the youngest DB corps in the SEC against Georgia and it certainly showed. There is more help on the way from the recruiting class at this position as well. I look for this position to be less of a problem next season.

The offense was strong this year and will get stronger next year. Auburn has an excellent class of players coming in and at least three quarterbacks that can run the offense with precision. The offensive line will improve more and more with time. There are many excellent prospects coming in next year to start getting ready. Auburn should have the strongest offensive line in the SEC next year.

Alabama is coming up in two weeks. They do quite well against a weak defensive front. They are good at trap blocking and their Tight Ends and Receivers block well down field. The offensive line is extremely vulnerable to a good pass rush from the defensive front. Their quarterback is suspect at best when faced with up front pressure. Alabama will run the ball on Auburn. If Auburn can get pressure on the quarterback it will help the young defensive backs against a talented Alabama receiving corps. Alabama is not as good a passing team as Georgia. Alabama is not as strong on Offensive Line as Georgia either. Mark Ingram is a much better running back than any Georgia had. He will have another big game against Auburn. Alabama has had some problems in the red zone scoring touchdowns. This is of no concern in this game as Auburn has allowed touchdowns in the red zone most of the time. Auburn's weakness at Defensive Tackle has allowed most teams to trap the middle and walk into the end zone once inside the 5 yard line.

Mississippi State had about 200 yards of offense this week against Alabama. They had 297 against Auburn this year. This being said the upcoming game with Alabama is uncharted territory. The only opponent Alabama has face that is nearly as strong on offensive line is LSU. As they do not run any plays similar to Auburn it is hard to predict how this will play out. Alabama has a good Line Backing unit. They are extremely over aggressive. Their backfield is fast but also over aggressive. They apply pressure up front, but it develops slowly. They run a mix of defensive looks and schemes. This will be of little use against Auburn. Defensive trickery will be a huge handicap against Auburn. Over Aggressiveness will work to Auburn's advantage.

I expect Alabama to come out ant run straight at Auburn. I expect them to play straight forward position defense. They will seek to control the ball and keep Auburn's offense off the field. If any one says they can predict the outcome of this game they are exaggerating to say the least. No matter how this game turns out it will be a great warm up for Clemson or Georgia Tech should Auburn go bowling in Atlanta this year. Auburn better find some way to stop the run for any of the three.