Auburn Football: Why the Pressure Is Still on Barrett Trotter

One of the major questions heading into the 2011 season for Auburn was the starting quarterback position. Junior Barrett Trotter was named the starter in August after months of speculation, and after the long offseason, Auburn fans finally got to see him in action in Saturday’s opener against Utah State.

Saturday’s result, a narrow 42-38 victory, left many more questions than answers about the state of the 2011 team, but Trotter’s performance was one of the pleasant surprises.

Trotter finished the game with 261 yards on 17-23 passing and three touchdowns. His first touchdown pass of his college career came early with a 56-yard strike to Emory Blake, and he also hooked up with wide receiver Travante Stallworth and tight end Philip Lutzenkirchen for touchdowns later in the game.

Trotter was chosen as the starter for his experience and poise, and he looked the part on Saturday. Despite the Tigers’ struggles on defense and its running game, Trotter looked like an experienced veteran leading the two-minute offense to a comeback win in the fourth quarter.

He drove Auburn down the field for two touchdowns after the Tigers trailed 38-28 with 3:38 left in the game. Trotter also helped his cause by not committing any turnovers.

Despite Trotter’s solid performance, he still has plenty of competition for his starting spot for the remainder of the season.

Highly-touted true freshman Kiehl Frazier saw action on Saturday, meaning he will not redshirt this season; and sophomore Clint Moseley is also looking for a chance to play after losing out on the starting job to Trotter in camp.

If Auburn’s win-loss record goes south and Trotter struggles, fans may be clamoring for Frazier to jump in and start to build on his vast potential.

Next week’s game against Mississippi State should pose a much bigger challenge for Trotter. While Auburn struggled on Saturday, the Bulldogs cruised to a 59-14 victory over Memphis in their season opener, limiting Memphis to only 174 yards passing in the win.

Auburn is comfortable with Trotter at quarterback so far, but will that last if the Tigers offense struggles against the tougher teams that lie ahead on the schedule?

With the 2011 edition of Auburn football still a work in progress, and two talented quarterbacks waiting in the wings, the pressure on Barrett Trotter won’t let up any time soon.