Gus Malzahn knows offense. He knows offense so well that he is in charge of the 6th- ranked offense in the nation--1st-ranked in the SEC--on the 8th-ranked team in the nation.
"He always wants us to be better," said junior quarterback Cameron Newton said. "He's relentless."
Newton said Malzahn finds the film of last year's 14-21 loss to Kentucky painful and disgusting to watch.
This year, Malzahn is prepared and already has the core of the game plan ready, and Newton is well-versed on Kentucky's 39th-ranked defense.
The mohawk-sporting freshman running back Onterio McCalebb said he feels this year's team is far better than last year's and can beat Kentucky.
Newton said the keys are patience and proper execution.
Newton, who described Malzahn as his "father figure away from home," said Malzahn has everything he likes to see in an offensive coordinator.
"He's pushing us from good to great," Newton said.
The 8th-ranked Tigers began the season ranked 22nd, but pushed its way upward by remaining undefeated and scoring an average of more than 37 points per game, making it 16th in the nation and 1st in the SEC.
These stats are another testament to Malzahn, as the offense he inherited only scored 25 touchdowns in 2008.
Malzahn said he has his offense dead focused on Kentucky and nothing else.
"I think it would be selfish to start thinking about me," Newton said of his nascent Heisman campaign. "It's week 6 and I'm not looking any further than that."
Newton said "everyone has each other's best interests" and finds comfort around his offense and the rest of his teammates.
Malzahn's offense is a tight-knight bunch that can look forward to plentiful high-fives after touchdowns and a mouthful of pent-up anger after turnovers.
The second-year offensive coordinator was plucked by Gene Chizik from Tulsa in 2008 after the Hurricanes finished first nationally in total net yardage, scoring more than 47 points a game. In 2009, he brought Auburn's 104th ranked offense all the way up to 16th.
But Malzahn was already known for his high-scoring offenses.
As head coach of Shiloh Christian High School in 1999, he directed his team to a 70-64 playoff win against Junction City.
Malzahn looks to continue to improve his offense against Kentucky Saturday.
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