There isn’t a coach in the SEC who will turn down a bye week in mid-October. Players and coaches need a break. Auburn is no different.

Bryan Harsin will use this week to fine-tune what’s running well and hopefully fix what isn’t doing so well. Where should he start? Let’s start with the passing game and Auburn’s receivers.

There have surely been times in which Auburn fans have gotten frustrated with quarterback Bo Nix when a bad play wasn’t actually his fault. Auburn’s receivers have struggled in a new offensive system as they replace three starters from last year. It seems that Auburn has settled on 4 targets in the passing game: receivers Demetris Robertson, Kobe Hudson and Shedrick Jackson, along with tight end John Samuel Shenker. Each has at least 20 catches this season.

Drops have been a significant issue and, until Saturday, the group hadn’t had the consistent long-distance pop that Harsin would like. Harsin seemed to indicate that the drops might have become a mental hurdle that the Tigers will have to overcome.

Auburn’s offensive line has continued to improve throughout the season. The Tigers didn’t give up any sacks Saturday against Arkansas and have yielded just 7 this season. However, it’s important to remember that there have been plenty of pressures. Those cause Nix to run when that wasn’t the plan. Auburn has given up 91 tackles for a loss this season. This group should get better during the off week. The time will give them a chance to get healthy from the bumps and bruises of the season and continue to work on their group chemistry.

As far as running the football, Auburn is in the middle of the pack of the SEC. That’s probably more of the offensive line growing together over time as opposed to Auburn’s running backs not performing. Sophomore Tank Bigsby and freshman Jarquez Hunter are a formidable pair of tailbacks. Both are on pace to approach 1,000 yards. Working on pass protection and staying healthy should be the biggest goals for Auburn’s running backs during the off week.

Developing more depth on the defensive line is key for Auburn at such a physical position. Colby Wooden is probably Auburn’s best player up front on defense. Auburn has one of the better defenses in the SEC against the run.

The switch to a 3-4 defense has had its ups and downs, but things appear to be improving. Gap control was consistent against Arkansas. That hasn’t always been the case in 2021. Harsin has said he’s a “big fan” of Chandler Wooten. Still, this unit has not reached expectations, partially because Owen Pappoe has been dealing with a leg injury for a month. The bye week is a good time to make sure everyone is comfortable with their assignments. That will free up the linebackers to make more game-altering plays.

Auburn’s secondary was supposed to be a strength. It hasn’t been. Instead, the Tigers’ defensive backs have been underwhelming. Far too often, Auburn has given up big plays in the passing game. That was most evident against Georgia and Penn State. Auburn lost both of those games. Auburn’s defensive backs need to improve quickly with Ole Miss up next. The Tigers rank in the bottom half of the SEC in explosive pass plays (20+ yards) allowed.

They’ll need to adjust that or the Halloween weekend date with Ole Miss will be particularly scary. The Rebels’ passing attack is incredibly explosive. That makes this bye week incredibly important for the back end of Auburn’s defense. Special teams have been solid in all phases. That looks to be one of Harsin’s old-school hallmarks.

After Ole Miss, Auburn plays at Texas A&M, hosts Mississippi State, at South Carolina and hosts Alabama for the Iron Bowl. What is a realistic expectation based on what Auburn has shown? It depends largely on how much the Tigers improve/recover this week. However, anything less than 3-2 would be a major disappointment.

The Tigers are 5-2. An 8-win season would certainly be respectable. However, if Auburn can win 9 games under Harsin in his first season, that should be considered an incredibly successful season and might earn him a few votes for SEC Coach of the Year.

With the win over Arkansas, which was Harsin’s first over a ranked opponent at Auburn, the Tigers can see how things play out above them in the polls. They’ll likely be ranked before they play Ole Miss. The bye week comes at a perfect time.