State's offense stinks, but Auburn's not much better
A week ago, even as early as Labor Day, the stars didn't seem to align with No. 8 Auburn defeating Mississippi State in Starkville.
Auburn didn't have a running game to speak of and State, with almost all of its starters returning, including one of the SEC's top defensive fronts, was going to be a slight favorite to hang a second loss on the Tigers. Auburn beating State on the road -- because the Bulldogs' defense can shut down the run -- just didn't add up to a Tigers victory with all those cow bells clanging.
Then came Kentucky 28, State 7 and Florida 13, State 6.
Now we're calling an audible. A "Whoa Nellie."
Opinions have changed, starting with the Vegas sports books. Now Auburn enters Saturday night's 6:30 game a 3 1/2-point favorite.
What's wrong with Auburn can be fixed with a running attack, but that may be another year and three more losses away. We'll find out Saturday. On the plus side, the Tigers have a dependable quarterback with Jarrett Stidham and a few good wide receivers such as Darius Slaton and Ryan Davis. I'm fairly certain Gus Malzahn and his OC, Chip Lindsey, would feel a whole lot better if their NFL talent QB was playing a whole lot better, too.
We know Auburn's defense could be more dominating, but it's hard to nitpick Kevin Steele's guys.
What's wrong with State is another story. Its defense is still a force, giving up 287 yards and 13.4 points per game, but the offense stinks. Thirteen points in two games and the opponents are not named Alabama and Georgia.
Quarterback Nick Fitzgerald, coming off a knee injury, is playing like he's coming off a knee injury. He needs a heavy dose of confidence and some wide receivers. Whatever rookie coach Joe Moorhead is doing isn't working. The offense has been a disaster in SEC play.
Moorhead, going back to his Penn State days, likes to go deep a bunch of times during a game. Fitzpatrick is no Trace McSorley. His 49 percent completion percentage is the worst in the SEC among starting quarterbacks.
Heaven help him this weekend against the Tigers' defense.
State's offense stinks, but Auburn's not much better