Their D has been Jekyll and Hyde:
203 Rushing yards to UTSA but only 52 to Auburn?
293 passing yards to ND, but only 125 to Auburn.
And, we are giving up a TD less per game.
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It's 100% Auburn just being bad offensively. Auburn has completely abandoned the Hugh Freeze offense. And I suspect it's because he, once again, doesn't have the QB to run it. They don't look like they have a clue what is going on offensively at the moment. Durkin and their D are keeping them in games right now.
Arnold was pushed on Freeze. Everything I had heard at the time, which is another reason I was so damn adamant we would get Arnold, is that Freeze wanted either Fernando Mendoza or Maalik Murphy. Arnold cannot run that offense, and Freeze knew that, because that offense makes the QB make a ton of reads pre snap and Arnold is not used to that. The only offense he can really run effectively is ours. They are now having to completely change everything about what they do. If he continues to struggle, Freeze will pull the plug and go to Deuce Knight.
I would much rather have Shapen at QB knowing his injury risk than Arnold. I am glad he went to Auburn and we didn't get stuck paying him a bunch of money. Their defense is good though and I think it will allow them to win 7 games this year, but I am not sure if that will be enough to keep Freeze employed.
It's hard to know what to expect when your defense gives up so many penalties. It's hard to know what to expect on any given Saturday in the SEC. It's so dependent on things that are hard to control like turnovers, referees, emotions, game plans, ... bounces and breaks. All I know is this team has surprised me and I've gone from doubtful to hopeful. We haven't been here in a while so let's enjoy whatever unfolds now knowing that we can finally have some confidence in our staff and players.
Once again our fans want to resort to the poor miss st we just aint good enough boohoo attitude. I got a crazy prediction, ASU wins the big 12, TN finishes top 3 in the SEC, and we beat the aggies this weekend. We are good and 1-0 is the standard Lebby is expecting every week now.
We are better this year.
They are better this year.
But the game isn't played in a vacuum.
We were at home last year.
They are at home this year.
We are coming off an emotionally and physically draining game.
They are off a bye.
If they were at home last week and lost in OT with numerous injuries while we were on a bye and the game was in Starkville, I'd have it closer.
Lots of concern at WR for us. If we have to play with the back-up WR's- no way in hell we win this game.