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Auburn Preview: Mutiny On The Plains

October 8, 2008 by Walking on Sunshine 

After three straight blowout losses, the Razorback Nation has been taking things pretty well.  Hog fans see the talented teams we’re facing and find encouragement, for example, in the progress that was evident during the first three quarters of last Saturday’s game against Florida.

But not so down on The Plains…where the Hogs will visit the Auburn Tigers (4-2, 2-2) this weekend.

Auburn UniversityGenerally, it’s not going to be a good day for a coach when you lose to Vanderbilt for the first time since 1955, and the first question at your weekly press conference is, “Have you fired your offensive coordinator?”

But that’s exactly what Auburn head coach Tommy Tuberville (84-35, 10th year) has been facing this week.

“He (Tony Franklin) is our offensive coordinator,” Tuberville said.  “He’s worked harder than anybody here, and he’s as disappointed as anybody here.  And he takes as much of the blame.  He probably takes more blame than he should.  We’ve got to find some answers.”

Tuberville went on to put Franklin off limits to the media.  “I’m trying to put him in a better situation where he can coach and not have to worry about you guys,” Tuberville said.

So far, at least, the new spread offense that Franklin brought with him from Troy is not working out given the players currently at Auburn.  (Coach Broyles tried to tell ‘em.)  And that has led to a dismal 18.7 points per game for the season, and a woeful 12.8 points per game against SEC opponents.

But just because the offensive coordinator can’t talk to the media, doesn’t mean the players can’t.  And trust me, that hasn’t been a problem this week.

“I don’t know what we are right now — spread (or) old Auburn offense.  I’m just really confused right now.  Everybody is confused.  Everybody is hurting and confused.” — Wide Receiver Rod Smith

“We’ve got to figure something out.  This — man, I don’t know.  This isn’t the Auburn I saw when I was recruited.  This isn’t the Auburn I saw last year.  I don’t know what’s going on.  We’ve got to figure something out.” — Quarterback Kodi Burns

Thankfully for the Tigers, they haven’t needed to score much.  With a defense that’s ranked in the top three nationally — only yielding 11.2 points per game — you can be average on offense.  But that’s the problem…they haven’t been average.

If the Hogs can hang around in this one, the discontent found within the Auburn team and in the stands from frustrated fans could continue to fester.  And that might be just what this young band of Razorbacks need to pull off an upset victory on the road.

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13 Responses to “Auburn Preview: Mutiny On The Plains”

  1. BlindHog on October 8th, 2008 9:49 am

    I must admit, I’ve never thought much of old Tommy. But, lately, watching him support his OC, I have found a new respect for him.

    One thing you have to respect is that Defense. They look great! It should be an interesting matchup, strength against strength. We would have to play 60 minutes and get some breaks and, with the home field advantage, it is alot to expect.

    One moral victory does not a season make. We will see if this bunch has found a little leadership, some passion, and is learning to have some fun out there. They looked like a team on Saturday.

    (I hope Bowden and Paterno are watching. Frank went out as a bit of a goof. But, what do you expect from PawPaw at 80? The only place they will find me is on the golf course.)

  2. GonzoHog on October 8th, 2008 10:48 am

    Auburn’s defense on the road will be a tough challenge to overcome. They may be the best defense in the SEC. SC has the best stats, but they haven’t played against LSU like Auburn has. The Georgia offense I watched against the SC defense was self-destructive, much like the Florida offense was aganst the Hogs in the first half Saturday. They (Georgia) also had to play on the road like Florida. Something tell’s me SC’s D is a little over-rated, but I think Auburn is the real deal. They would be even better if thier offense had a little bit more production on the field, so that the defense wouldn’t have to spend so much time on it. Hopefully, this won’t be the week they put it all together. Hopefully, it’ll be the week the Hogs will.

  3. Carolina Hog on October 8th, 2008 1:17 pm

    The hogs have a strength?

  4. BlindHog on October 8th, 2008 1:26 pm

    non-weakness.

  5. Walking on Sunshine on October 8th, 2008 3:48 pm

    The saga continues….Auburn just fired OC Tony Franklin.

    http://blog.al.com/goldmine/2008/10/franklin_out_as_auburns_offens.html

  6. T-towner on October 8th, 2008 4:11 pm

    Blindhog, so has your new found respect for Tommy turned to new found distaste?

  7. T-towner on October 8th, 2008 4:11 pm

    And, does this now mean that Auburn will have an uncoordinated offense Saturday? What? They already do?

  8. Luke on October 8th, 2008 5:28 pm

    We have a real shot to steal a win on Saturday. Auburn is confused and firing the OC won’t help that at all. If our offense can move the ball AND put it in the end zone a few times (two TDs might be enough, as they were for Vandy), we could nab our first big win in the Petrino era.

  9. Carrmaduke on October 8th, 2008 6:10 pm

    Have you seen our D? 2 TDs will not be enough, even with Auburn struggling on O.

  10. BlindHog on October 8th, 2008 7:34 pm

    I should have known. Any act of character by Tommy was just an act.

    It will take 3 touchdowns. I doubt we can do that against that defense.

    Maybe.

  11. reasonrules on October 8th, 2008 7:50 pm

    Auburn will run and that is our weakness. They will score more points.

  12. GonzoHog on October 9th, 2008 6:02 am

    Hopefully, Auburn has burned enough practice time this year to waste the confidence they could have had by now in a stable offense. confident and stable are the last thing they are right now. The Hogs were pretty decent for 3 qrts. against the Gators. Now would be a good time to build on that. Who knows, this might turn out to be another one of those 3-3, or 7-7 ballgames in the closing minutes. Could we possibly have a shot? I would feel much better if Tejada wasn’t having such a hard time getting on track this year.

  13. Guinness Snout on October 9th, 2008 8:31 am

    I felt more comfortable when they were running the spread. Their o-line is designed for grind-it-out football and will grind-us-up. Let’s just hope the head ball coach from Camden calls plays like the head ball coach from Little Rock and can’t “run” out the clock with all american talent in the backfield and on the line. . . by the way, I was only able to get 14 points from a Bama fan. . my false sense of optimism is returning.