The 2008 Auburn Tigers: An Obsessive Auburn Fan's Thoughts (Week 2 - USM)

Week 2 of Auburn's football season was definitely a step in the right direction. Here's what I thought of this week's win:

1. The passing game improved. I wanted to see 200 passing yards, Auburn provided 250. The running game wasn't as effective but like Tony Franklin has said since he arrived, he will do what it takes to win. It will be easier to pass against some teams and easier to run against others. Southern Miss was going to force Auburn to throw the ball, and Auburn accepted the challenge and moved the ball well.
2. Chris Todd looked much more comfortable in the pocket. He didn't turn the ball over, was sacked only once and made quite a few great football plays. Maybe it was getting the start, maybe it was his knowledge that he would be in for more than one series at a time, but the difference between his performance last week and this week was quite dramatic. Kodi Burns will be used as a change-of-pace for now, but don't underestimate how valuable a quality backup in the SEC is.
3. The turnovers, while frustrating, only make this performance more impressive to me. Despite handing USM their only points and fumbling twice in the red zone, the outcome of this game against one of the better teams outside BCS conferences was never in doubt. I'm confident the fumbles will be addressed properly this week and we will not see three fumbles in a game the rest of the year. Kodi Burns' interception really ended his chances to start against Mississippi State, and ended the defense's push to get another shutout.
4. The recievers did a better job of catching the ball this week, and also did better at getting open. There were more deep pass attempts (especially early on) and the offense overall ran much more smoothly. The indefinite suspension due to "a violation of team rules" of Chris Slaughter hurts the depth of the wide recievers, but other guys have the ability to step up. Ben Tate quietly had over 100 all-purpose yards, and continues to look like the top back in this offense.
5. One of the feel-good stories from Saturday was Tristan Davis. He scored a touchdown on his first carry of the year and returned a couple of kickoffs. Despite rolling his ankle on his second carry, he insists that he will be ready for Saturday's game against Mississippi State. Davis has all the potential in the world if he can just stay healthy. Although I think Eric Smith will be a great player for Auburn in the future, I'd much rather have a healthy Tristan Davis on kickoffs and as a backup running back.  
6. The defense was rock solid yet again. Holding a team to 37 rushing yards that ran for over 400 last week is always impressive. Most of the passing yards came in the second half when the game was largely over. USM's first scoring drive was only 25 yards due to Kodi Burns' interception. Jerraud Powers and Zac Ethridge came up with interceptions. The defense will get an SEC road test this week against Mississippi State, but I love what I've seen so far from Paul Rhoads.
7. Robert Dunn was spectacular yet again on punt returns. He had a touchdown called back due to a block in the back that should not have been committed. Kickoffs and punts are looking good as well. You have to respect Tommy Tuberville's continued emphasis on defense and special teams - the two things that have made Auburn as successful as they have been over the last decade.
8. I'm not sure if anyone else who was at the game noticed this, but Auburn's defensive players were pumping up the crowd much more than usual on Saturday. I've always wondered why our defenses haven't done that more in recent years...I know you want your defense to be professional and focused but there were moments against Southern Miss where the crowd noise was SEC-like, due to the players' involvement with the crowd. For an 11:30 AM kickoff, the sellout crowd satisfied me. I hope fans are ready to be wild and crazy in two weeks when LSU comes calling.
9. This game could have been much more decisive. The fumbles by Tate and Lester in the first quarter took away scoring drives and the interception by Burns led to points and confidence for Southern Miss. But when you can turn the ball over four times and do very little on offense in the second half and still never have a doubt about the outcome, that's a good sign. I'm really not sure where the idea that you have to blowout quality teams came about, especially with this day and age of college football where every team is a threat to upset you. Auburn fans need to be happy with two very easy wins to start the year, especially considering all the offseason changes (both in scheme and in personnel). No matter what your opinion of this team so far, everyone needs to be ready to protect our home field on September 20th against LSU in a game that usually decides the SEC west.

The road trip to Starkville this weekend will be another step up in competition for the Tigers. Any road SEC game is a challenge, and Auburn cannot be caught looking ahead to LSU. It shouldn't be too hard to motivate this team, which is largely made up of players who had their goals wrecked last year by this very Mississippi State team. Hopefully, the defense will continue their stellar play and the offense will continue to improve. Until next week, War Eagle!