My Thoughts: AU vs UT

 
 Our Tigers continue to impress. After a bizarre start to the game, the Auburn offense got in rhythm in the second quarter, and seemingly stepped on the gas pedal to pull away from the home standing Volunteers.
Auburn opened the game with pass plays, which caught everyone by surprise, including it seems, some of the Tiger receivers. A perfectly thrown ball by Nick Marshall, slipped through the hands of one of the wide outs that would have been a first down. 
 Purely a guess on my part, but it looked like the play calling was by design, thinking the Vols would stack the box against the run and try to stifle the high powered Auburn running attack. The best laid plans.... On the next Auburn possession that passing game would work to perfection as Marshall hit C.J. Uzomah in stride on the wheel route for a touchdown.
A Nick Marshall miscue that resulted in a pick six, brought the score closer together. But Tennessee's defense could not figure out the "read option" game of Auburn's.
 Once the Tiger coaches figured out what UT was doing defensively, it was a simple matter of executing. It took an amazing two play drive of 75 yards to even the score and then Auburn just sped away.
 The only time Auburn didn't score in the red zone, was when the Tigers took a knee to end the game.



 A defensive stop to force a punt and Auburn's Chris Davis took it to the house. Great blocking and a huge lane opened up for Davis, and the Senior took advantage of it by running for the touchdown.

 The defense continued its bend but don't break ways. Frustratingly, there were entirely too many missed tackles between the twenty yard lines in the first half. Once inside the red zone however, the Tigers became very stingy with yardage and points allowed.
History was made in this game. After over 100 years of playing football an Auburn team returned a punt and a kick off for a touchdown in the same game. 
 Overall, this Auburn team went on the road for a second straight week, and vanquished their foe with very little use of their passing game.  The Tigers practically dared the opposing teams to stop the run. They could not.
 Next week is the oldest rivalry in the South, Georgia week. Nothing else needs to be on the minds of the players. Something tells me, they won't be looking past this game. Our Tigers have been prepared each and every week, and I see no reason to think they won't be next Saturday as the Bulldogs come to town.

Verizon Locker Room Report
Gus Malzahn Post Game