Now this is what I call a mailbag.
We asked, and you delivered. Apparently, all it takes is an Auburn loss to get fans flailing about with rage-filled scrutiny. Who knew? (Everyone knew).
Let’s not waste any more time.
Thanks to those who submitted questions for this week's Plainsman Mailbag. Submissions for next week's will open Sunday.
From @jakewright1996 on Twitter:
1. Battle at center? Kaleb Kim or Nick Brahms? Know Malzahn can’t be pleased with inability to run the ball & that starts up front.
Kaleb Kim’s lackluster start to the year at center hasn’t been detrimental, but it certainly hasn’t aided an offensive line implementing four new starters.
Kim was bullied at times in the Washington game and was having a tough outing against LSU’s talented defensive front Saturday. The senior center was called for Auburn's only two offensive penalties — a pair of holding flags for 20 combined yards.
Brahms began snapping and warming up on the sideline in the second quarter but was never put in the game. Gus Malzahn said this week that Brahms will split first-team reps this week with Kim.
"(Brahms has) gotten quite a few reps with the ones even during practice," Malzahn said. "So that's a continued battle between those two guys, and I know he was ready if called upon Saturday."
2. Also, I know LSU max protected most of the game, with RB’s, extra blockers and etc. but D line didn’t rush passer well with only one sack
Although it didn't show up in the stat sheet, Auburn's front seven was all over Joe Burrow.
From the second to mid-third quarter, the Tiger defense was playing like a championship group. We're only having this conversation because, in true Auburn form, they didn't save their best performances for when it mattered.
You can't put all the blame on Deshaun Davis and the defense. The senior linebacker was playing possessed with a career-high 13 tackles, including four tackles for loss. In fact, Auburn's defense tallied seven tackles for loss and five quarterback hurries. Auburn's stagnant offense simply put the defense in an awful position in the fourth quarter.
Kevin Steele didn't seem overly concerned with the one-sack day the day after the game. Auburn's defensive line will continue to search for improvement in that category, yes. But Auburn needs to be weary of teams utilizing LSU's formula in games to come.
From @iCJEllis on Twitter:
3. Malzahn talked about the possibility of throwing more. I think it’s a no brainer that this will open up the ground more (when you run on first down 2/5 times rather than 4/5 times, it’s easier to gain yardage). Why do you think it took him this long to realize this?
Malzahn is still learning how to handle an offense that has its best player under center, not in the backfield.
That's never been the case in his tenure. You could argue Nick Marshall was more talented than running backs in 2014, but even then, Marshall was more of a threat on the ground than Jarrett Stidham.
Last season, Stidham could just hand to Kerryon Johnson and watch him work. JaTarvious Whitlow is becoming more patient and the apparent lead back for this offense, but Stidham is still the trigger man.
In terms of implementing a pass-then-run offense, expect Auburn to be making strides in the coming weeks.
"Each team is a little bit different," Malzahn said when asked about the topic Tuesday. "We've always ran to set up the pass, and that could be vice versa in some games. Each game is different, the personnel that you're playing against is different, so you could see a little bit of both this year."
From @JoshuAbstract on Twitter:
4. MAKE BELIEVE TIME: If Gus Malzhan was not retained last year (like so many 'woke' fans were wishing for last week) and went to Arkansas, how scared of this upcoming matchup would we be?
Auburn would be terrified.
In my opinion, if Malzahn was the Razorbacks' coach this season, the time would likely still be 1-2. Chad Morris is attempting to implement a spread, fast-paced offensive attack in a system that had been a run-first, heavy-set group in recent years. Malzahn shares a similar offensive vision.
Regardless of who would be Auburn's coach in this scenario, Malzahn would still have his fingerprints everywhere. Assuming Chip Lindsey and Kevin Steele would be the coordinators, and Malzahn knows their tendencies and schemes well.
Because of sheer talent across the board, Auburn would probably still pull this one out at home. But Malzahn's inherit knowledge of the Tigers would prove problematic.
From @JoshFisherPhoto on Twitter:
5. Do you see any changes coming to Auburn's secondary or Offensive line after their performance against LSU? Also, what can Auburn do to help with recruiting lineman?
A big no to the secondary, but the offensive line could experience some shakeups in the coming weeks.
Auburn's secondary struggled late against LSU, no doubt. However, this is a young group that is replacing Tray Matthews, Stephen Roberts and Carlton Davis — all of whom were known for their physicality in coverage.
The Tigers' youngsters are still learning how to rough up receivers the right way. Unfortunately for Auburn, the unit was exploited and left out to dry on the final drive of a one-score game.
See the first question for Jake for more on the offensive line. But in terms of recruiting, Auburn had success in recent years, snatching former 5-star guard Calvin Ashley and former 4-stars Austin Troxell, Nick Brahms.
From @SamAWilloughby on Twitter:
6. Best case/worst case scenario for Auburn at this point?
What a fantastic question, Samuel. Keep it up.
Obviously, the best scenario for Auburn going forward would be a 9-0 finish to the year, which would require road victories over No. 14 Mississippi State, No. 2 Georgia and Alabama. Good luck.
A realistic successful finish for the Tigers would be double-digit wins. I see Malzahn's squad learning from the LSU loss and winning out until Georgia and Alabama. A bowl win then puts you at 10-3 against the toughest schedule in the nation.
On the flip side, you could make logical arguments that Auburn will lose to Mississippi State, Texas A&M, Georgia, Alabama and its bowl opponent, making for a 7-6 campaign. That would make for a fun offseason.
From @ForeverAuburn on Twitter:
7. What is Stidham's completion percentage on deep throws against power 5 teams?
It would take me some time to put together this exact statistic, considering play-by-plays don't always specify how long an incomplete pass was. But I'll start studying the film and get you an answer next week.
However, you raise a relevant point. It seems Stidham has unlimited success down the field against lackluster defenses but is forced to settle for underneath throws against top-tier opponents.
Those plays are usually productive, thanks to the quickness of veteran Ryan Davis and the physicality of newcomer Seth Williams. But Stidham couldn't connect with deep threat Darius Slayton against LSU. The injury to Will Hastings isn't helping, either.
With Malzahn set to test a run-first offense in the coming weeks, look for more deep shots against the likes of Arkansas and Southern Miss.
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Nathan King, senior in journalism with a minor in business, is The Plainsman's sports editor.
