Auburn showed up, but I’m not sure they showed up.

The Tigers have gained just 122 total yards in the first half against Louisiana Tech as they lead the Bulldogs 17-0 thus far.

After leading Auburn to a hard-earned top 20 road win at Kansas State last week with his arm, Nick Marshall has struggled early this game completing 4-of-7 passes for 55 yards. Marshall leads the Tigers in rushing with 94 yards.

LA Tech defensive coordinator Manny Diaz has dialed up some of the same concepts that Kansas State used last week to stymie the Auburn offense, but when he has on staff at Mississippi State in 2010, Diaz held the Cam Newton-led offense to its lowest scoring and offensive output of its national championship season.

The Bulldogs have collapsed the middle of the line of scrimmage, leaving little room to run between the tackles.

In other unwelcome news for Tiger fans, four starters left the game at one point during the first half with injuries. Linebacker Kris Frost, defensive lineman Montravius Adams, offensive line Patrick Miller and widow Duke Williams all left the game at point in time.

We spoke all week of Auburn needing to improve, but not panicking, but this is far from the start you would’ve like to have seen if you’re Gus Malzahn and the Auburn coaches.