Auburn, Statistically Speaking . . .

The numbers don't lie, kids. They confirm what everyone already knows: the defense has carried the Tigers through the first 5 games. (Rankings are national/SEC)

Offense:

Total - 90th/10th (329.4 yards/game)

Rush - 56th/5th (156.2 yards/game)

Pass - 97th/9th (173.2 yards/game)

Scoring - 97th/9th (19.8 points/game)

Defense:

Total - 5th/2nd (246.0 yards/game)

Rush - 18th/5th (92.2 yards/game)

Pass - 12th/2nd (153.8 yards/game)

Scoring - 5th/1st (10.6 points/game)

Here's something I found surprising: Auburn's average passing yards per game in 2007, under offensive coordinator Al Borges - 178.23 yards/game. The Tigers' passing game production has actually changed very little (just 5 yards a game; roughly the equivalent of one check-down to Tommy Trott), at least based on the evidence of the first 5 games. That could change over the course of the final 7-plus games, however. I think the lesson I take from this is that Auburn is at least on par with last year's production. And that's a good thing, considering Auburn has a new coordinator and a new quarterback. Granted, the spread was supposed to dramatically improve the passing game. I think it will, eventually, but it's going to take some time.

So, what about the rushing offense? Well, in 2007, Auburn averaged 156.9 yards/game. The running game is still producing at a level consistent with the previous offensive system. That was surprising to find, too. I did find something, however, that differs dramatically from last season: Auburn is running the ball MORE as the game goes on, and passing LESS in the 2nd half of games. That is markedly different from 2007. Here are Auburn's rushing attempts, by quarter for 2007:

1st: 142

2nd: 139

3rd: 131

4th: 125

Compare that to Auburn's rushing attempts, by quarter, through 5 games in 2008:

1st: 41

2nd: 48

3rd: 60

4th: 57

The trend is the reverse from 2007: Auburn gets more conservative as the game goes on, not less. Perhaps this is part of Tony Franklin's philosophy. Last year, Auburn ran to set up the pass. Franklin likes to throw to set up the run (or at least he's trying to). This year's numbers could also indicate Coach Tuberville's penchant for putting the clamps on the offense in the 2nd half to protect the lead and bleed the clock. Maybe it's because incompletions stop the clock, lead to shorter offensive possessions, and give the defense less time to rest between series. Whatever the reason, it's a shift from the old offense.

This trend is even more obvious when you compare the passing stats from 2007 and 2008. Auburn attempted 162 pass plays in the 1st half during 2007, and 194 pass plays in the 2nd half. In 2007, Auburn has attempted 81 passes in the 1st half, and just 67 in the 2nd half.

This is something to keep an eye on. Until the Tigers can settle on a quarterback, and can have that quarterback consistently produce, you're going to see these trends continue on offense.

Dave's Power 10

1. Oklahoma (4-0) Best offense in the college game, so far. The Big XII won't be a cakewalk, however.


2. Alabama (5-0) That's 2 big wins in the state of Georgia for the Tide. Don't be surprised if they make it back to play a third (and I'm not talking about the Chik-fil-a Bowl).


3. LSU (4-0) Avoided a letdown after the big win at Auburn, but I was surprised that Mississippi State kept it that close (or scored, for that matter).


4. Texas (4-0) Arkansas is hapless. I need to see Texas against a real team before I really know how good they are.


5. Missouri (4-0) Bitchin' offense? Check. Experienced quarterback? Check. Playmaker that can catch, run and return? Check. Defense? We'll have to see about that last one.


6. Penn State (5-0) Ready to hear the term "Spread HD" about 700 trillion more times this season?


7. BYU (4-0) Brigham Old is off to a fast start, and they're now the standard-bearers as the BCS-buster after losses by Fresno, ECU, and TCU.


8. Utah (5-0) Isn't this convenient: a nice little Thursday-nighter against Oregon State on the heels of the Beavers' upset of USC.


9. USC (2-1) Guys, can we all remember to read the memo about coming to play against Pac-10 doormats?


10. Georgia (4-1) Well, that should take care of that "Blackout" crap. Burn the black unis, fellas. They motivated Alabama a lot more than they motivated you.

First Look: Vanderbilt

Record: 4-0 (2-0, 1st SEC East)

Schedule/Results:

• 8/28 at Miami, OH (34-13)
  
• 9/4 South Carolina (24-17)
  
• 9/13 Rice (38-21)


• 9.20 at Ole Miss (23-17)


• 10/4 Auburn


• 10/11 at Mississippi State


• 10/18 at Georgia


• 10/25 Duke


• 11/8 Florida


• 11/15 at Kentucky


• 11/22 Tennessee


• 11/29 at Wake Forest

Offense:

282.8 total yards/game (112th in nation)

202 rush yards/game (26th)

80.8 pass yards/game (116th)

29.8 points/game (52nd)

Defense:

364 total yards/game (73rd in nation)

124.3 rush yards/game (45th)

240.0 pass yards/game (93rd)

17.0 points/game (30th)

"George is getting frustrated!"

Exasperated? Frustrated? Beleagured? Just tired? Well, you are probably not alone, Auburn fans. The good news: Auburn (4-1, 2-1) managed to hold on for a 14-12 victory against the Tennessee Volunteers (1-3, 0-2). T he loss has Tennessee off to its worst start since 1994. The bad news: Auburn's offense is still not producing the yardage and point totals that many predicted before the season began. In fact, Auburn's defense accounted for as many points as the offense. Jake Ricks' fumble recovery in the end zone in the 2nd quarter proved to be the difference-maker. This is probably not what Tommy Tuberville imagined when he signed up for "The Tony Franklin System." Auburn's offense managed only 226 total yards (129 passing, 97 rushing) and 7 points. Penalties were again a problem. The Tigers were flagged 9 times. Despite the struggles on offense, the Auburn defense played its best in the 4th quarter.

The Volunteers began their last 6 offensive drives near midfield or in Auburn territory and scored on only one possession. The other 5 ended in a 3-and-out for the Auburn defense. The defense held Jonathan Crompton to 8 of 23 passing for 67 yards. Montario Hardesty was the Vols' leading rusher with 35 yards on 10 carries. Auburn held the Volunteers to 4 of 16 on 3rd down conversions.

Frustration for Auburn fans (at least this Auburn fan) centers on two areas: the quarterback and the offensive line. Chris Todd's arm looked weak, and his accuracy was poor. Todd went 14 of 23 for 96 yards, with 1 touchdown and 1 interception against Tennessee. Todd appeared to make several poor decisions, often throwing into congested areas with multiple defenders surrounding the Auburn receiver. Kodi Burns was not much better, completing 4 of 6 passes for 36 yards. Most of Burns' plays, however, were designed runs that did not appear to catch the Vols' defense off guard. The offensive line was again plagued by false-starts and holding penalties. Left tackle Lee Ziemba has been particularly prone to committing penalties this season.

Auburn will have to work hard to correct its mistakes as they prepare to travel to Nashville to take on the 19th-ranked Vanderbilt Commodores. Vanderbilt enters the game 4-0 (2-0). ESPN's College Gameday will be on the scene, too. The kickoff is scheduled for 6 PM (Eastern) on ESPN. The early line has Auburn as a 4.5-point favorite. The Weekly Preview will have more on this game throughtout the week as we countdown to Saturday.