As players have returned to campus and begun voluntary workouts before practice starts up again in July, it’s time to find an X-Factor at every position group. This player might be the star of the group or an underrated player looking to step into a more prominent role this upcoming season.
Quarterback: Bo Nix, Sophomore
There’s no getting smart with the quarterback X-Factor, it’s Bo Nix.
When Nix arrived at Auburn, it was a crowded quarterback room looking to take over the reins from Jarrett Stidham. When all was said and done, Malik Willis was at Liberty, and Joey Gatewood was at Kentucky and Nix was the starting quarterback.
Now going into his sophomore season, Nix is at the top of a quarterback room that includes Cord Sandberg, Chayil Garnett, Grant Loy, Caylin Newton and Sawyer Pate.
During his freshman year, Nix was the SEC’s Freshman of the Year and was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team. But going into his sophomore year, Nix will need to take a step forward for Auburn.
That will start with Nix’s performance on the road.
At home, Nix threw for 1,611 yards along with seven touchdowns and no interceptions. On the road and in neutral site games, Nix threw for 931 yards, nine touchdowns and six interceptions.
His completion percentage dropped from 62 % to 51.3 % when comparing home and road games.
In the upcoming season, Auburn has to travel to Atlanta to take on North Carolina in Week 2, along with trips to Athens and Tuscaloosa later in the season.
If Auburn hopes to take down Georgia for the first time since 2017 or repeat as Iron Bowl champions, Nix will need to perform at a higher level on the road.
This might start with the arrival of new offensive coordinator Chad Morris. Before his time as head coach at Arkansas, Morris was known for developing Tajh Boyd and recruiting Deshaun Watson to Clemson.
While Morris carries a lot of the same sets to head coach Gus Malzahn, Morris will make some adjustments as the new play-caller, which could prove beneficial for Nix.
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