Rapid reaction: Auburn avoids monumental upset vs. Jacksonville State
Here are some quick thoughts on sixth-ranked Auburn narrowly avoiding the most surprising loss in program history:
What it means: Where do we begin? One of the preseason national champion favorites has to regroup before making any plans for Atlanta later this fall. The Tigers avoided their first-ever loss to an FCS opponent but have serious issues offensively and injuries to several key players on defense is alarming heading into next week’s matchup against LSU.
What I liked: Without question, Peyton Barber was Auburn’s best player, compiling 134 yards of total offense including a 10-yard gain in overtime on a screen pass that led to a touchdown rush on his next carry. Jeremy Johnson shook off a disappointing game with a touchdown pass to Melvin Ray with 39 seconds left to force overtime. Auburn’s goal line stand in the extra session, highlighted by Cassanova McKinzy’s sack on third down, preserved the win.
We’re headed to overtime in Jacksonville State-Auburn. This was the game-tying TD by Auburn: https://t.co/tMhpG6eKCZ
— Covers (@Covers) September 12, 2015
What I didn’t like: Johnson’s lack of confidence as this team’s leader on offense. Not only did he turn it over twice, but the junior first-year starter never found a rhythm against a squad the Tigers were favored to beat by six touchdowns. Auburn’s defensive line, at times, looked out of sorts against Jacksonville State’s zone read. Lots of over-pursuing by defensive ends and linebackers biting on play fakes.
Who’s the man: Jacksonville State quarterback Eli Jenkins managed 330 yards of total offense and a touchdown to help the Gamecocks nearly shock the Tigers. Wideout Josh Barge caught 14 passes for 132 yards and a score.
Key plays: On 4th-and-2 at the Auburn 35 following a timeout with eight minutes to play, Jenkins picked up the first down on a keeper. The Gamecocks scored six plays later to take a 20-13 lead with 5:38 left to play. Johnson’s heave to Ray in the back of the end zone tied the game with 39 seconds left.
What’s next: With their egos bruised, the media’s SEC preseason champion travel to Baton Rouge for their SEC opener.
So that’s what a #6 team looks like, huh?
A number #42 perhaps.
I kept having flashbacks to my freshman year at Auburn when, after TN beat Auburn 42 – 0, a rather drunk alumni kept yelling, “Gotdamn Doug Barfield. Gotdamn Doug Barfield……” No defense then, no defense now. Not much of an offence either.
Huh?
Fellow Gamecock we should be worried about ourselves at this point.
Guess so… haha.
Can we stop with all the hype now?
I’m sure it stops now. We should drop out of the top 10 for sure, maybe top 15.
Top 25 perhaps? Bet you feel silly arguing with me the whole offseason now don’t ya? A&M was clearly more deserving of any hype.
Very much agreed.
Not the top 25 and no, I don’t feel silly for supporting and believing in my team. I still believe things can be turned around, we’re 2-0 last I checked.
I agree, Auburn ain’t hopeless yet, but it isn’t so bright for Auburn. Defense has to step up and Bo Johnson needs to stop being Bo Johnson.
We looked terrible and they played a hell of a football game. Kudos to Jacksonville State on just playing an outright better football game than Auburn did. Hopefully, Gus and company figure it out before next week.
Auburn is an embarrassment to the state of Alabama. JSU outplayed cow tech on offence, defence, really everything. They escaped with several major holding calls that gave JSU the short end of the stick. LSU is gonna skin cow tech alive by at least 17 points and the whole SEC knows it. Hell, Coker is twice the QB Johnson is.
You’re a jerk, and you really give the rest of us a bad name. Chill out, we haven’t played yet
true. true
Hardly. When the whole off season revolves on Auburn, it’s easy to see why. I know I’m not the only one. Perhaps it was ugly, but it doesn’t come out of nowhere.
Let his have his fun. Every fan base has its share. Including ours.
“Because everyone else does it” is probably the worst justification to make an ass of yourself. Hold yourself accountable
You’re one of those holier than thou bama fans aren’t you? I willing to bet that we have more national championships than you have teeth…
I’m one of those “Actually goes to the University” Bama fans. You really are a prick for no reason.
I go to the University too. Quit being holier than thou and enjoy football. You must be fun at parties…
Why don’t you say “holier than thou” again? Excuse me for expecting anything approaching decorum from our fanbase.
Holier than thou. Holier than thou. Holier than thou.
I’m done with this. There’s Bama football to watch. Roll Tide anyways bud.
You need a life.
You changed your name to DD2 when I called you out a year ago… @thomas_shoe.
I wouldn’t be talking much.
Matty Mauk’s dad has cancer and this little twerp(DD2) was joking about it. When I called him on it he lied. Just go check his history.
You see if Tonytiger could read yoy would see it was a joke about MaUK and his interceptions. Check my history.
Yet you won’t deny being @thomas_shoe
Who the hell cares? Is Thomas_shoe a notorious person on here?
Well, you were a troll then, I called you out specifically, and then you changed your name because you think you’re so clever. Bottom line is, you’re a moron.
Alright then.
It’s now very clear who got the better DC this past offseason.
A&M gave up 291 total yards and 2 TDs to the #15 ranked team in the country and won by 3 TDs in regulation
Auburn gave up 438 yards and 2 TDs to an FCS team and won in OT.
Yea but Jeremy Johnson is gonna win the Heisman right? …. right guys? Oh… is that over now?
You never know!
Bo Johnson has the arm, but its not showing results. You need to be able to read the Defense to be a good QB, Bo Johnson lacks this ability so far, he has to have video game numbers now.
It’s gonna be a LOOOONG season for Auburn.
It’s gonna be a Looooooooooong season for Arkansas as well.
They won……yall lost to Toledo. That’s why you don’t talk shmack
I wouldn’t be such a jerk about it if Melvin Ray didn’t put his finger over his mouth and *hush* the crowd after the tying score. Melvin… you’re playing at home. those are your fans cheering. and sit down! its JAXST…. and you just tied it. act like you’ve been there…
Yeah … can’t argue with you there …
Shows again why pre-season rankings are a waste of everyone’s time and attention. Unfortunately there’s nothing else to talk about so we’ll keep on doing it.
Preseason rankings are what get me through the offseason. They are not a waste of time.
Greg McElroy speaking about Jeremy Joshson: “I’m assuming he’s going to be an outstanding player.”
You know what they say about assuming. It’s early but Johnson does not look good. I personally think Brandon Allen and Chad Kelly are the two best qb’s right now. Allen is a senior and playing like it. Watch out for Arky.
Here are McElroy’s top 5 quarterbacks in the SEC:
1. Dak Prescott, Mississippi State (SR)
2. Joshua Dobbs, Tennessee (JR)
3. Jeremy Johnson, Auburn (JR)
4. Brandon Allen, Arkansas (SR)
5. Kyle Allen, Texas A&M (SO)
The hogs are looking pretty nasty coming into this season
Yeah, pretty terrible indeed.
Nasty like, lose to Toledo nasty?
Lots of crappy QB play today.
If JSU hadn’t shakes that punt with 2 minutes to go Auburn would have certainly lost that game. I knew it as soon as it happened.
Bowling Green 48
Maryland 27
Jacksonville State maybe a really good team… don’t freak out..
Jacksonville State looked pretty damn good today. BTW Louisville lost again.
There’s no doubt J-State is a good team, they certainly looked better than Auburn!
Hmmm…….is it too soon?
Maybe now SDS, Espn and other media’s eill stop ranking players that are unproven. Johnson getting so much hype on this site, didn’t espn rank Johnson like #25 on the top 100 CFB players?? Johnson just doesn’t look like he has “it.” He can’t read defenses and on hand offs he stands like a statue..yeah maybe he isn’t going to carry the ball but at least attempt to sell it.
Go Gamecocks! I go to JSU and while I’m happy we played so well I find it unfortunate that we were unable to ultimately win. Also happy that my friend that said JSU would lose by 40 will get to eat some crow
As a Mizzou fan, I’m keeping my mouth shut. We’re playing a pretty good team too. Give credit to Jax State.
Hopefully yall can roll over A State. They just came off a whippin by USC.
But that was due to turnovers. I don’t think Arky St. will make that mistake again. Mizzou will have to play well. Respect your opponent. Always.
Exactly, Midd. Tenn. State is sorta worrying Bama. It is a wake up call.
For the life of me I can not comprehend how JJ has regressed so much. I never put much water in the whole heisman hype, but given his previous gametime I definitely expected far more than this abysmal showing. This isn’t the JJ that showed up last season, this version would lose to vandy.
NO WAY AUB should be in the top 20.
But they will, because they got a high start. They will drop one or two spots probably. I hate preseason rankings.
I wouldn’t count Auburn out, just yet. They have a very long history of playing to the level of an opponent. They are also the kings of spectacular comebacks (See 2013 season – Georgia game winning catch and Iron bowl field goal return).