The success of Auburn going forward will not rest on the on-field production, but on the play-calling ability of coach Gus Malzahn.

No team in college football has as tough a schedule during the final six weeks of the season as the Auburn Tigers.

Malzahn’s team plays four top 25 teams in its final six games, three of which are on the road. Auburn travels to Oxford to face No. 3 Ole Miss on Nov. 1, to Athens to take on No. 10 Georgia on Nov. 15 and finally to Tuscaloosa to wrap up the regular season against No. 7 Alabama.

Despite spotting Mississippi State 21 first quarter points, Auburn found itself with the chance to get back in the ballgame, if not take the lead after the Bulldogs turned the ball over on three straight possessions.

Auburn was inside the 10-yard line on three consecutive trips and attempted three field goals.

The problem? Malzahn got cute and ultraconservative.

Following a failed fake punt, Auburn put itself in a first-and-goal from the 7-yard line. With the way Auburn runs the football, four plays to get seven yards didn’t seem like a tough thing to ask. The drive died when Malzahn called a reverse pass to tight end C.J. Uzomah on third down from the 4-yard line.

“It was one of those non-rhythm situations,” Malzahn said, “and we’re a rhythm offense. It was kinda tough sledding as far as that’s concerned.”

Against the No. 3 team in the country on the road down 21 points, Auburn needed seven points to curb some of the Mississippi State momentum. Malzahn didn’t do it.

Malzahn and offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee were adamant all offseason about Nick Marshall’s improvement as a passer and the Tigers having more balance on offense.

At times, that has worked well when Marshall is consistent and accurate throwing the football. But when he’s not, Malzahn continues to force the issue and that results in killing drives. Marshall is at his best when the Tigers are using the zone read to operate with tempo. His playmaking ability opens up throws down the field, at which Marshall is especially accurate. The offensive line does not protect Marshall enough to give him time to drop back and hang around in the pocket.

Malzahn feels balance is important to the success of his team, and he’d know better than I, but certain play calls get Auburn off schedule on offense. Positive first downs are key, and Malzahn has not helped the Tigers stay ahead of the chains by forcing the issue in the passing game.

Malzahn and Lashlee have forced a balanced offensive attack this season, when situationally, that isn’t always necessary.

Malzahn is a fantastic play-caller and offensive mind, but he’s already cost his team one victory this season with a bad game on the sidelines.

Will he reverse course and adjust?

Auburn’s hopes of an SEC West title, SEC championship and College Football Playoff berth are still within reach. But they each rest on the play sheet of Gus Malzahn.