Auburn’s offense spent the early part of the season fighting the same ugly battle over and over: turnovers, especially through the air. Byrum Brown was at the center of it, tossing seven interceptions in Auburn’s first five games and piling up multi-pick outings against Baylor and Tennessee.
That has changed in a big way since the loss in Knoxville. Brown has now gone 122 passes without throwing an interception, and Auburn has turned it over only twice since the bye week. Both of those giveaways came against Ole Miss.
Head coach Alex Golesh said Brown’s fumble against the Rebels still sticks with him, but he pointed to a broader shift in how the quarterback has handled the ball lately.
“One, he’s looked like a veteran in terms of taking care of the football through the air,” Golesh said. “I think a combination of continuing to adjust the scheme to what we can do offensively.”
Offensive coordinator Joel Gordon echoed that view, putting the emphasis on Brown’s mechanics and poise.
“Just the combination of him playing with clean footwork, staying in rhythm whatever the play is, and not forcing throws,” Gordon said. “Nothing crazy.”
The scheme has clearly played a role, too. Auburn has leaned more into quick passes and rhythm throws in the second half of the season, which has reduced how often Brown is asked to stand in the pocket and sort out a defense on his own.
“We continue to evolve in terms of what he’s comfortable with,” Golesh said. “We’ve been calculated in the shots that we’ve taken in terms of from a protection standpoint and the timing of that. We’ve moved the pocket more.
“We’ve done some things to allow him to get really settled in and get comfortable. But truly at the end of the day, it’s on him to make decisions where ultimately your biggest job is to take care of the football, and he’s continued to do a solid job there.”
Brown and Auburn’s passing game get another test this Saturday against Mississippi State, which brings the SEC’s worst passing defense by the numbers and has intercepted fewer passes than anyone else in the league. It could be a chance for Brown to open things up even more. Either way, Auburn will be looking to keep the clean stretch going through the air.
In Other News...
Auburn Suddenly Faces A Playoff Shakeup Alex Golesh Downplayed
The College Football Playoff is headed for another major overhaul, with the field set to expand to 24 teams starting in 2027 and the current 12-team setup on the way out. The ripple effect has already reached the SEC, which announced it will drop its annual championship game beginning next season, a change that could alter how teams are judged, seeded and positioned in the months that matter most.
For Auburn, the news adds another layer to an already shifting postseason landscape, even if Alex Golesh kept his comments brief when asked about it at a press conference. He acknowledged the changes without offering much in the way of reaction, leaving plenty of room for the bigger question that now hangs over the league: how the new format and the end of the SEC title game will reshape the path to the playoff. [Read more 🡒]
Auburns New-Look Rotation Already Has Two Tough Problems To Solve
Auburns season opener against Southeastern Louisiana offered an early look at just how much turnover this roster is managing. Eight of the 10 players in the rotation were making their official team debuts, including Owen Freeman and Kolby King, and both newcomers were asked to jump in right away. Freeman is still working back from a foot injury, while King arrived after dealing with eligibility issues, but each still found a way to contribute in limited minutes as the Tigers began sorting out roles.
Steven Pearl made it clear the integration has been deliberate, not accidental, as Auburn tries to blend so many fresh faces into a workable rotation. The challenge now is less about identifying talent than figuring out how quickly all of those pieces can settle into place, especially with two players still navigating their own separate hurdles before this group can really show its full shape. [Read more 🡒]
Auburn Gets One Last Tune-Up Before A Much Bigger Test
Auburn gets one more chance to settle in at Neville Arena on Monday night, when Appalachian State comes to town for a final tune-up before the schedule stiffens. Steven Pearl has already pointed to the Mountaineers defensive strengths and their depth, a reminder that this is not just a routine home date even if it comes before a much bigger test for the Tigers.
The game will air live on SEC Network and stream on Fubo, with radio coverage on the Auburn Sports Network for fans following along the old-fashioned way. For Auburn, the matchup is less about the spotlight and more about sharpening habits, getting the rotation into rhythm and making sure the details are cleaner before the next step up in competition. [Read more 🡒]