Auburn got banged up in the trenches against Baylor, but the early read on the injury list is mostly encouraging.
On Monday, head coach Alex Golesh said three of the four Auburn linemen who left Saturday’s season opener should be available - or at least close to it - for this weekend’s game against Southern Mississippi. That group includes both offensive guards who exited in the second half, right guard Cole Skinner and left guard Jacob Strand.
Skinner, a transfer from USF, and Strand both left the Baylor game and did not return, but Golesh indicated they should be good to go this week.
The defensive side is a little more complicated. Auburn lost edge rushers Da’Shawn Womack and Chris Murray during the Baylor matchup, and the Tigers felt that absence as the game wore on and they had a harder time getting after Baylor quarterback DJ Lagway.
Golesh said Murray is officially good to go. Womack, though, is still day-to-day with a lower-body injury. Golesh is hoping to get him back into practice and eventually the lineup sometime this week.
Even with two guards sidelined, Auburn’s offensive line held together thanks to its three-man rotation at each guard spot. The Tigers leaned on their “next man up” approach and still finished the day with a game-winning 10-play, 75-yard touchdown drive.
The defense didn’t have that same luxury. Auburn had a tougher time replacing the production of Murray and Womack, and the update on Murray at least gives the Tigers a boost. If Womack can’t go against Southern Mississippi, Auburn could still have him back by the time Florida comes to town in two weeks.
Like always in college football, health is going to shape how far a team can go. Auburn’s offense showed it can function even when two starting linemen are knocked out, but the defense will need to steady itself if Womack, Murray, or any other key pieces are out for stretches this season.
In Other News...
Auburn Has A Real Chance To Expose Floridas Biggest Early Problem
Auburn comes into SEC play with a little momentum after edging Baylor 17-16 in the Aflac Kickoff Game, and that kind of early-season win can sharpen a teams edge before the league schedule starts to bite. Alex Golesh has already leaned into the idea of accountability and togetherness after that result, which is usually a good sign for a group trying to carry a close escape into something sturdier when the conference games start stacking up.
Florida, meanwhile, is still trying to settle the feel of its defense after a shaky showing against Florida Atlantic, and the next test will not be gentle. Auburns home atmosphere and DJ Durkins pass rush figure to put quarterback Aaron Philo in a difficult spot, giving the Tigers a real chance to make Florida answer some uncomfortable questions early in the season. [Read more 🡒]
Auburns Pass Rush Concern Isnt As Simple As It Looked
Auburns pass rush number looked thin on the surface after the Tigers got to Baylor quarterback DJ Lagway 18 times and came away with only one sack, an early first-quarter takedown by Xavier Atkins. But the fuller picture was more complicated, because the defense was built to handle the run first, with a light box and a willingness to play underneath pass windows instead of selling out for sacks.
Golesh said that approach was intentional, and the results backed it up in other ways. Auburn held Baylor to 2.3 yards per carry and still managed to make life uncomfortable for Lagway by condensing the pocket and dropping rushers into coverage, which is why the pressure count may tell a better story than the sack total alone. [Read more 🡒]
Auburn Escaped Baylor But This New-Look Team Has Real Issues
Auburn got out of Waco with a win in its season opener, but the 17-16 result against Baylor did not hide how much work still sits in front of this new-look team. The Tigers showed issues across several areas, from protecting the quarterback to cleaning up mistakes in the passing game and holding up against throws into the middle of the field, and head coach Alex Golesh was direct afterward about the need for improvement as a staff and as a roster still getting used to one another.
The next chance to sort through those problems comes against Southern Miss, a game that should offer a little more breathing room and a clearer look at what Auburn can fix quickly. Even after escaping with a win, the opener raised real questions about how stable the offense can be and how far along this team is in adjusting to a new coaching staff and a lot of new faces. [Read more 🡒]