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Inside the Numbers: Defense the anchor as Auburn faces tougher schedule
By Jordan Cox
Published:
The Auburn Tigers got a huge win on the road against a top 20 team on Thursday and now face a reeling Louisiana Tech on Homecoming in Auburn.
The Good
25: The point differential per game for the Tigers this season. Auburn has outscored its opponents 124 to 48 through its three games this season. The defense has bowed its neck so far this season and has been very good in the red zone allowing the opponent to score touchdowns on just 45 percent of its possessions.
86: Yards on the ground the Auburn defense is allowing this season. That’s 2.5 yards per rush. Head coach Gus Malzahn praised the defense in his Tuesday news conference saying “we’ve been very good against the run.” Hold you breath, however, the Tigers are about to face some very good offenses.
6.6: Yards per play the Tigers are averaging on offense. That figure causes so many difficulties for opposing defenses because every two plays Auburn has a new set of downs. If the offense is going to continue to be successful as it begins its conference schedule, this number will need to rise or hold steady.
The Bad:
128: Yards on the ground the Tigers amassed versus Kansas State. Auburn did not have a 100-yard rusher and snapped its streak of 13 consecutive games with at least 200 yards rushing. It was well below the season average that was above 300 yards per game, but now sits at 262.7 yards per game. Auburn must return to what it does best starting this week against Louisiana Tech.
17: If there’s anything that has plagued Auburn this season, it has been penalties. The Tigers have either killed or extended drives due to fouls, and have to play more disciplined as it faces SEC West opponents.
224: Passing yards allowed by the Auburn defense. The run defense has been lights out for the Tigers, but now they face the likes of Texas A&M, Mississippi State and Alabama, all of whom boast high-powered offenses.
After living in Birmingham, Ala., Jordan left the ground zero of SEC Nation to head south to Florida to tell the unique stories of the renowned tradition of SEC football. In his free time, his mission is to find the best locales around.
