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As Auburn hits the midway point of the college football season, they are looking at another disappointing football season in the mirror. Auburn has not had a winning season in football since the 2020 season. That season, the Tigers went 6-5 that season and parted ways with Gus Malzahn before the bowl game. Since Malzahn departed as the head coach the Tigers are 22-28 with seven losses in each season.
The program is amid one of the worse stretches in their history. The Tigers last had five consecutive losing seasons from 1946-1950. Auburn posted a record of 9-35-4 in those five seasons and a 0-10 season in 1950. That resulted in the hiring of Ralph “Shug” Jordan that turned the program around.
This season started with a lot of promise and excitement after Auburn defeated Baylor 38-24 in the opener, and a 3-0 start. Most people would not have predicted three consecutive losses once the Tigers began SEC competition. The three games have followed the same script. The defense carries the team and gives the offense chances to add points. During the current three-game losing streak Auburn has scored just 37 points. The defense on average is giving up 20 points. Average offense would have resulted in a 6-0 record for this team.
On Saturday night, the Tigers offense played well for most of the first half against the Georgia defense in the 20-10 loss. They opened the game with a 14-play, 75-yard drive that resulted in a two-yard touchdown run by Jackson Arnold to open with a 7-0 lead. The Tigers used the run game to set up passing opportunities for Arnold. After a punt from Georgia, Auburn went on another long drive. This time a 12-play, 70-yard drive that ended with a 25-yard field goal by Alex McPherson to give the Tigers a 10-0 lead early in the second quarter.
The biggest moment of the game is the one everyone was talking about during and after the game. That is of course, the fumble by Arnold at the goal line as the Tigers looked to take a commanding 17-0 lead. The video appeared to show that Arnold did cross before the ball came loose but the replay officials rewarded Georgia the ball. That play changed the entire game.
Auburn would not score another point for the entire game and get outscored 20-0 by the Bulldogs. Auburn gained 227 yards in the first half, and only 50 yards in the second half with three points plus two turnovers on downs. The controversial call did cost Auburn points, but the way they responded to the effects dictated the rest of the game. Good football teams can bounce back when something bad happens. This Auburn team has shown that they cannot do that. The coaches need to do a better job at those moments. It does not get any easier this week with Missouri coming into town. The coaches will need to figure out a better plan, or it could be another loss for the Tigers.
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