Auburn Football: 8 Changes the Tigers Need to Make Before Clemson

Auburn enters the third week of the season as an undefeated team. Auburn wasn’t supposed to be undefeated after last week, but the Tigers don’t mind surprising folks. This week there are more changes and adjustments that need to be made if the Tigers plan on moving to 3-0.

The Tigers answered the call last week and made many of the changes and adjustments that were so glaringly obvious. The Tigers played a much more physical game and followed through with their blocks. They also played better assignment football.

There was still some slack on the defensive line and some issues with converting on crucial downs, but overall, the performance was better against a much improved opponent over week one. Clemson will be a major test this week, as Death Valley is one of the most imposing stadiums in the ACC.

Looking ahead, here are eight things that need to adjust before the Tigers head to Clemson this week.

Defensive Line Play

Auburn relies on efficiency and consistency on offense to earn an edge in a football game. The more plays that the Tigers run, the more options they have to use misdirection and backfield confusion to earn yards.

The past two games, Auburn has combined to the total number of snaps the Tigers would like to see in a game. Auburn must increase inefficiency in a number of areas, but running more plays is a huge way to ensure future victories.

Auburn also needs to give their defense a breather from time to time. Not only are the Tigers young defensively, but they also faced 92 plays against a very physical Mississippi State offense. Auburn needs to improve this scenario drastically to reach a special level this season.

Rookie Mistakes

Auburn is playing numerous true freshmen on special teams, and at times, in role positions on defense. While the younger Tigers have earned their role, they are still searching to be technically sound and smart football players.

This past Saturday, there were numerous occasions that the Tigers did not look like they were playing smart. Personal foul calls for celebrations and pushing players out of bounds is simply unacceptable, and those mistakes have to disappear quickly.

There is no doubt that the players involved in stupid penalties have been reminded what those major mistakes can do for their team. There will continue to be mistakes throughout the season simply due to the youth of the Auburn Tigers, but look for the major mishaps to disappear rather quickly.

Linebacker Play

The Tigers played a much better assignment football game than in the first week from the linebacker position. The backers still looked sluggish at times like they were running in mud. For Auburn to continue on the winning road, they must improve linebacker play.

The pursuit angles seemed to have improved, but there were also some missed tackles at times that needed stops. Mississippi State was extremely efficient on third down mainly because their runners were hitting the second level and still driving Auburn’s linebackers backwards.

Look for Auburn to continue to rotate the linebackers as well in the hopes that by midseason, the experience issue simply won’t be one any longer. 

Break off Blocks

The defensive line of the Tigers looked to be very slow to move at times against Mississippi State. They almost looked to be thinking and not reacting. The defensive line is going to have to make major adjustments to their effort and make it off blocks this week.

Auburn has great speed on the pass rush and has gotten into the backfield consistently off the edge, but the rushing defense has been anything but ideal up front. The Tigers will need to break off of blocks and make more plays this week as the competition continues to stiffen as the weeks progress.

Continue to Mix Play Calling

Auburn had some abysmal play calling in the first game, but the second game saw more diversification and more calls that balanced the offense. There were holes and exploits that the Tigers were able to find and make plays around the Bulldogs.

Auburn will need to continue with the balanced offense approach, as it is extremely effective and has the Tigers averaging 41.5 points a game. Auburn will obviously rely on the rushing attack to produce and guide the flow of the offense, but Trotter’s efficiency has been undeniable.

Look for Auburn to add a wrinkle or two this week, as the first road game will surely bring some surprises and will require the momentum to be regained by the young Auburn team.

Improve Third Down Efficiency

Auburn has been very unreliable on third down so far this season. Losing a big playmaker on short yardage hurts, but the Tigers need to find a fix soon, or the defense will be gassed by midseason. The Michael Dyer Wildcat formation doesn’t appear to be the fix.

Gus Malzahn has earned his nicknames like the “mad scientist,” so the fix is sure to be found. How the Tigers iron out the issues facing third down conversion has yet to be seen, but don’t be surprised to see some under center snaps to come from Auburn on third down soon.

Keeping the ball the closer to the line is likely the best solution for the Tigers at this point. 

Get Lutzenkirchen More Touches

Trotter will likely spread the ball around more as the season progresses, but one fix that has to occur quickly is getting the ball to Lutzenkirchen more often. Lutzenkirchen is a major player in the Auburn offense for a number of reasons, but the Tigers will need to utilize his playmaking ability more in the future.

Lutzenkirchen has the best hands on the team and won’t break the plays that Emory Blake or Travante Stallworth will, but he will help earn Auburn some of those magical third down conversions. Allowing Lutzenkirchen to make plays and earn hard downs is a must for the Tigers to beat tough teams down the road.

Run More Than 60 Plays

Auburn relies on efficiency and consistency on offense to earn an edge in a football game. The more plays that the Tigers run, the more options they have to use misdirection and backfield confusion to earn yards.

The past two games Auburn has combined to the total number of snaps the Tigers would like to see in a game. Auburn must increase inefficiency in a number of areas, but running more plays is a huge way to ensure future victories.

Auburn also needs to give their defense a breather from time to time. Not only are the Tigers young defensively, but they also faced 92 plays against a very physical Mississippi State offense. Auburn needs to improve this scenario drastically to reach a special level this season.