Auburn’s offensive line unit was considered to be a strength of the team heading into the season, at least on paper.
The Tigers boast the seventh-most experienced offensive line room in the nation and the most experienced in the SEC in terms of games played (277).
After bringing in two transfer portal additions to slot in at the tackle spots, and returning three starters in the middle, Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze said that six offensive linemen received “draftable” grades from NFL scouts coming in and out of the building throughout camp.
But the on-field production certainly doesn’t replicate that.
The Tigers are dead last in the country, allowing 21 sacks through five games. Fourteen of those sacks have come since the start of conference play. Additionally, Auburn has committed 44 penalties this season, which is 131st in the nation. Twenty-eight of them have gone against the offensive with 18 falling strictly on the offensive line.
“That’s the one that is on our minds constantly in this building, from an offensive standpoint,” Freeze said when asked if he could pinpoint an issue with the offensive line.
“We have to improve our passion and strain. We have to improve as coaches, the positions we're putting them in and demand a disciplined effort, particularly in the things we can control, like pre-snap penalties,” he later added.
Auburn protected quarterback Jackson Arnold well in the first three weeks of the season. The Tigers also only had a combined nine penalties offensively in the first three games. As a result, the Tigers were able to live in third-and-manageable situations.
Through the first three weeks of the season, Auburn was a perfect 4-for-4 on fourth down conversions. It was 11-for-21 on third down through the first two weeks and totaled 504 yards on 66 first-down plays.
Since conference play began, Auburn has been dreadful on third-down attempts, going a combined 3-for-29 with an average distance to go of 11.1 yards on third down. The offensive line has combined for 13 penalties over the last two weeks, with eight coming on first or second downs.
“I think we can strain harder (up front), but it's very difficult to ask against those types of rushers. I think from a coaching standpoint, first and foremost, it falls on us to find a way to keep us out of those third-and-longs,” Freeze said.
Freeze said the bye week would be a week to “reevaluate everything” offensively. Although there is an array of issues on the offensive side of the ball for the Tigers, it starts up front.
“This is not the offensive football that I'm used to, nor is anyone else,” Freeze said. “And it starts up front.”
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email [email protected].
Don't miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every weekday morning.
