While the offensive talk, and particularly the quarterback position, have been dominating the talk around Auburn this offseason, head coach Gus Malzahn is focused squarely on his team’s defense.

Malzahn addressed the West Georgia Auburn Club in LaGrange Wednesday and claimed fixing Auburn’s defense was priority No. 1 for him at this point.

“My No. 1 goal, is to get our defense to play Top 10 defense. It’s not offense. It’s not ‘this or that.’ It’s for us to play Top 10 defense,” Malzahn said according to the Auburn’s official website. “The way we’re going to be good for a long period of time is defense, and that’s just the bottom line. That’s a focus in recruiting.”

Auburn’s coach makes a good point. The issues at quarterback and Tigers’ overall struggles on offense last season made headlines but the defense didn’t exactly help the cause in Will Muschamp’s lone season on Malzahn’s staff.

Last season Auburn’s defense finished No. 11 in the SEC in scoring after allowing 26 points per game, No. 11 in rushing after allowing 182 yards on the ground per game, No. 11 in passing defense after allowing 222 yards per game through the air and No. 13 in the league in total defense after allowing 405 total yards per game on defense.

Malzahn also commented on giving his full attention on the football team, as opposed to dealing with the day-to-day issues that can arise for a “CEO” type coach.