Auburn’s defense has already shown it can make progress, but the next test asks a much bigger question: can the Tigers finish the play when Tennessee starts stretching the field?
The tackling numbers tell the story. Auburn had 24 missed tackles against Florida, then trimmed that to 16 against Vanderbilt.
That’s better, but not nearly clean enough. Alex Golesh said those 16 misses still added up to 68 yards, a reminder that the gap between a decent stop and a damaging one can be tiny.
Now the Tigers are staring down a Tennessee offense that is built to punish mistakes in space.
“They will force you to tackle in space,” Golesh said. “They will force you to tackle on the perimeter.”
That’s where Auburn’s defense has to prove it can hold up. Through the first four games, tackling has been the biggest weakness, and Tennessee looks like the kind of opponent that can expose it again and again. Golesh’s point on Monday was that not every missed tackle carries the same weight, and that distinction matters.
Auburn can live with some misses if the defender is working near the sideline and forces the ball carrier out of bounds. The Tigers can also survive when pursuit arrives quickly enough to erase the mistake. Golesh said Auburn showed several of those kinds of plays against Vanderbilt, where effort kept missed tackles from turning into explosive gains.
The misses Auburn can’t afford are the ones that break structure. If a defender loses leverage and opens a cutback lane, that’s when the whole defense can unravel. Those are the plays that turn into explosives, and those are the plays Auburn has to eliminate if it wants to keep Tennessee in check.
There is reason for some optimism. Auburn has been disruptive, and Tennessee has shown vulnerability too.
Last week against Texas, the Volunteers allowed 10 sacks. If Auburn can pressure the freshman quarterback and get him on the ground in the backfield, the Tigers could put together a strong defensive performance.
But the key is making sure the quarterback doesn’t escape and make plays with his legs. Golesh praised Tennessee’s speed on the perimeter and said the young passer can create problems that way as well, which only increases the burden on Auburn’s tacklers.
So the formula is clear: pressure, negative plays, and far fewer misses in open space. Auburn has already shown it can create chaos. Now it has to finish it.
In Other News...
Aubies New NIL Deal Gives Auburn Fans Another Reason To Cheer
Aubie the Tiger has found a new way to keep Auburn fans invested on Saturdays, teaming up with Friskies through the Certified Frisky program and tying the schools first score of every regular-season game to a donation of 10,000 meals for Greater Good Charities. Its a neat fit for a mascot that has long been one of college sports most recognizable figures, and it gives Auburns early-game moments a little extra meaning beyond the scoreboard.
Auburn is part of a growing group of universities lending its name and spirit to the feline-focused charitable effort, which adds a community angle to a campus brand already built on tradition. For Tigers fans, it is another small but satisfying reason to rally behind those opening drives, with Aubie once again at the center of the show and Auburns first points carrying a little more impact than usual. [Read more 🡒]
Auburns Biggest Defensive Problem Could Get Exposed Against Tennessee
Missed tackles have been a recurring issue for Auburn this season, and the numbers from the Florida and Vanderbilt games show just how costly it has been. Coach Golesh addressed it directly in a recent press conference, saying the Tigers have to be better on the perimeter if they want to keep explosive plays in check. For a defense that has already had trouble finishing plays, that is not a small detail heading into the next challenge.
Tennessee brings a similar kind of quarterback stress to the table, which makes Auburns tackling problems even more relevant this week. If the Tigers do not tighten up in space, the Vols have the type of offense that can turn a few missed stops into a much longer afternoon, putting even more pressure on Auburns front and secondary to clean things up quickly. [Read more 🡒]
Charles Barkley Just Weighed In On Auburns Early Alex Golesh Debate
Auburns quick start under Alex Golesh has already given the fan base a little something to argue about, and Charles Barkley is stepping into the conversation with a pretty clear message: patience. The Tigers are 3-1 under their new head coach, with two Power Four wins, and the early returns have been good enough to keep optimism alive around a program that has been searching for steadier footing.
Barkleys public backing matters because Auburn supporters rarely stay quiet for long, especially after a new coach gets off to a fast start and the schedule keeps tightening. After the win over Vanderbilt, the next test comes against Tennessee, and those are the kinds of games that tend to sharpen an early verdict fast. For now, though, one of Auburns most recognizable voices is urging the same thing the staff probably wants most: let the process breathe a little. [Read more 🡒]