Auburn (1-2, 0-1) has scored 29 total points against Power 5 opponents (Clemson and Texas A&M) three weeks into the season — a number that coach Gus Malzahn would admit himself to be unacceptable moving forward.
But all is not lost for the Tigers, who enter an extremely important Week 4 matchup against No. 18 LSU at home this Saturday. Auburn is 1-4 vs. LSU over the last five meetings, and a win would provide some momentum as the schedule lightens the next two weeks.
Here’s what coach Malzahn said during Wednesday’s SEC teleconference:
On LSU:
“We’re playing a very good LSU team, one of the best third-down teams in the nation. They have one of the best players in college football [in Leonard Fournette].”
On players circling this game since last year:
“It’s a big game, every year is different, [Fournette] had a Heisman-type game [in 2015] but it’s a different year. We have to gang tackle, have to get him down. There’s times you refer back to games but that’s for a learning standpoint.”
On leadership and using it to move forward:
“No doubt, I’ve been bragging on our leadership since last offseason. I’m disappointed in last week but we moved on to LSU. There’s been a lot of energy this week in practice; we’re ready for the game.”
On having defensive coordinator Kevin Steele:
“I’m happy to have him. The players are still learning him and he’s still learning them.”
On helping QB Sean White out:
“It’s hard to compare from year to year, I meant more from last game. We put him in a bind a couple of times, more specific to the A&M game than anything else.”
On the importance of the scout team and facing an I-Form team:
“It’s very critical this week. The league has changed, the traditional teams are not here.”
Tyler Waddell is a member of the Saturday Down South news team. He brings over five years of professional journalism experience and is closing in on a Bachelor's in sports management. Follow him on Twitter (@Tyler_Waddell).
