News came out of Sunday’s scheduled press conference — Tony Franklin is still the offensive coordinator.
Who would have thought two months ago that Tuberville would have to say that? Nonetheless it was news. The Plainsman isn’t the only one reporting this. Check Rivals or the O-A News.
The offense is struggling. There is little doubt about that.
Is it Franklin’s fault?
Well that’s where it gets sticky.
People want heads on pikes.
Auburn hadn’t lost to Vanderbilt in 13 consecutive tries. The Tigers came out well on offense; funny thing was, it wasn’t Franklin’s offense.
Earlier in the week, Tommy Tuberville said the Tigers weren’t running the “spread offense” but instead the “Auburn offense.”
What exactly does that mean?
Well apparently it goes something like this — do everything that has worked for Auburn over the last decade to jump out to a 13-0 lead and then stop, slam on the clutch, shift gears and go with the spread.
It’s as if Tuberville said “I’ve got the first quarter and then the rest is yours Tony.”
The first two touchdowns were a thing of beauty.
Line up and run the ball down their throat and finish them off with solid passing. It was Running Back University all over again.
It was what we know.
What we don’t know is the spread. Yet.
The spread offense doesn’t have a toe tag on it, but many are ready to call a time of death.
Fans keep hearing “give it time,” but patience isn’t a virtue many Auburn fans possess.
Dreams of an explosive offense conjured up in the off-season were soon turned into nightmares of the old “three yards and a cloud of dust” offense of old.
What’s worse for Tuberville and Franklin is how far the offense has regressed.
Take out play calling quandries and you’re left with dropped passes, penalties and missed field goals.
Even when plays are executed correctly, the offense can’t seem to point the barrel of the gun away from their foot.
The Tigers have committed 352 yards in penalties this year — that’s 106 yards more than opponents have handed Auburn.
It’s an offense with issues.
The prescription?
Your guess is as good as mine.
My antidote: a good nights rest followed by a hot pot of coffee and a serious discussion about where the offense is headed.
Maybe that and a few Prozac.
Alex Scarborough-Anderson is the Sports Editor of The Auburn Plainsman. You can reach him at 334-844-9104.
