RAPID REFLECTION: Southern Miss at Auburn

This blogle is written by a potential staff member that is in a probationary period. Leave a comment below if you think they did a good enough job to do this every week.

Auburn took care of business, the defense made sure there was never much doubt, and the offense showed just enough to make us excited and just enough to make us nervous about what happens when SEC play begins. The crowd was absolutely electric and we should all be excited to see what factor they play next week.

😃 I LIKED IT

Andre Jordan came to play. Two interceptions in the first quarter, including a pick-six on Southern Miss’ first offensive snap of the game. Auburn’s defense put points on the board and immediately took control of the game before the offense even had a chance to touch the football.

The second-half commitment to the run. Auburn came out of halftime and finally started running the football with some authority. Jeremiah Cobb had already flashed a few times in the first half, but this offense looked much more comfortable once it stopped trying to force the passing game and leaned into the ground attack. Omar Mabson is also a force to be reckoned with. I expect his workload to increase as the season progresses.

Alex McPherson continues to be a weapon and one of the best stories in college football. A career-long 55-yarder was great to see. A true comeback story.

😬 I DIDN’T LIKE IT

Penalties. Penalties. Penalties. Auburn must clean up pre-snap and holding penalties before SEC play.

The offensive line is still a work in progress. There was some shuffling specifically at the guard spots and Golesh seems to be trying to figure out which 5 give Auburn the best chance to win.

🤯 THE MOMENT

The opening drive of the second half.

Auburn came out running the football with authority and then capped it with one of the most fun play calls of the night. Byrum Brown catching a touchdown pass to make it 34-8.

An Auburn quarterback hadn’t caught a touchdown pass since Cam Newton in 2010. That’s a pretty good way to end that drought.

⭐ MY GUY

Andre Jordan.

This one isn’t particularly difficult. Two first-quarter interceptions one being a pick-six on the first play of the game. Auburn’s defense scored nine points itself (outscoring Southern Miss entirely) between Jordan’s touchdown and the safety, and Jordan set the tone from literally the first snap.

📈 HOMER METER

6/10 — I LIKE IT, BUT ASK ME AFTER FLORIDA

Auburn is 2-0. The defense looks legitimate. There are playmakers all over the field. And for stretches tonight, you could see what this offense is supposed to become.

But I’m not moving the meter any higher until I see this offense do it against an SEC defense.

🏁 RAPID VERDICT

Auburn did exactly what it was supposed to do against Southern Miss, and there were plenty of fun moments along the way. A first-play pick-six (fastest score in Auburn history), a 55-yard field goal and a quarterback catching a touchdown pass for the first time since Cam Newton.

But the tune-ups are over. The penalties, inconsistent third-down offense, average offensive-line play and Byrum Brown’s hesitation in the passing game become much bigger problems starting next week. Following the game, Coach Golesh was unimpressed specifically regarding penalties. He continues to say Auburn has a lot to clean up.

Florida is coming to Jordan-Hare. Now we find out what this Auburn team actually is.