Auburn’s trip to Oxford comes with a familiar problem: another mobile quarterback who can turn a clean defensive snap into a broken play in a hurry.
The Tigers have already had trouble with that this season, and now they’re staring down Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss. Auburn defensive coordinator DJ Durkin knows exactly what has to be better after the LSU loss, when Sam Leavitt repeatedly slipped free and kept drives alive.
That game was a mess for Auburn on third down, and Leavitt’s legs were a major reason why. He kept escaping the pocket, buying time, and dragging possessions out longer than Auburn wanted. Durkin pointed to that issue directly.
"A lot of those third downs I was talking about came from the scramble," Durkin said.
Even when Auburn appeared to force a stop, Leavitt’s movement sometimes flipped the situation into something LSU could still work with, turning third-and-long into fourth-and-short and keeping the offense on the field.
It wasn’t an isolated issue, either. Auburn also had trouble corralling Vanderbilt true freshman quarterback Jared Curtis earlier this season, and he found multiple big gains on the ground against the Tigers.
Chambliss brings a different kind of stress, but the same basic headache. He has not posted huge rushing totals this season, but he did run for over 500 yards last year and has shown he can make things happen when a play breaks down.
The danger is not just the scramble. It is what comes after it.
"The arm strength is real. The accuracy is real. The ability to extend plays and push the ball down the field is real," Auburn head coach Alex Golesh said.
Durkin was just as direct in his assessment, calling Chambliss one of the best players in the country.
For Auburn, the assignment is straightforward on paper and brutal in practice: keep Chambliss in the pocket. Durkin made the point plainly.
"Whoever our rushers are, they got to cage them in the pocket," Durkin said.
That means Auburn’s edge rushers have to do a far better job of staying disciplined than they did against LSU. If they let Chambliss break containment and keep plays alive, Ole Miss has enough weapons to make Auburn pay for every missed assignment.
In Other News...
Auburn Walks Into A Huge SEC Test With Ole Miss Suddenly Shorthanded
Auburns trip to Oxford brings a notable SEC matchup back into view, with the Tigers and Ole Miss meeting for the first time in three years. The timing matters for both sides, too, because Auburn is trying to build on a win over Georgia after a loss to LSU, while Ole Miss is navigating a change in its backfield heading into a game that already carries plenty of weight.
Kewan Lacy will be unavailable for the Rebels after suffering a dislocated shoulder against Texas, leaving Ole Miss with a hole it has to fill against an Auburn defense that will be keyed on Trinidad Chambliss. The Rebels quarterback has piled up 1,926 passing yards this season, so even with the backfield shorthanded, Auburn still has to deal with the part of the Ole Miss offense that can tilt the game fastest. [Read more 🡒]
Auburn Could Be Getting A Needed O-Line Boost At The Right Time
Auburns offensive line might be getting some timely help as the season wears on, with head coach Alex Golesh saying sophomore Tai Buster could return to practice and play within a few weeks. Buster has been sidelined by a preseason injury, but he has stayed involved with the team during his recovery, keeping himself in the mix even while hes been unable to get back on the field.
For a line that always benefits from added depth, especially as the schedule tightens, Busters eventual return would give Auburn another option at a spot where bodies matter. He will miss the upcoming game against Ole Miss, but the possibility of getting him back later in the season gives the Tigers something worth watching beyond just the next matchup. [Read more 🡒]
Auburns International Signee Saga Ends With Bigger Questions For The Program
Mantas Rubstavicius will not suit up for Auburn basketball this season after voluntarily dismissing his eligibility lawsuit against the NCAA, ending one of the more unusual roster stories the program has dealt with in recent months. The international signee is now expected to pursue a basketball opportunity in Europe, and he thanked Auburns administration, coach and teammates as the path with the Tigers came to a close.
The bigger issue for Auburn, though, may be what happens around the decision rather than the decision itself. The school also confirmed that general manager Brian Kloman was fired, with reports indicating the move stemmed from a failure to disclose Rubstavicius prior college enrollment overseas, leaving the program to sort through how such a significant oversight occurred in the first place. [Read more 🡒]