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Gus Malzahn previews Oregon, talks game plan for Bo Nix and announces game day change for Kevin Steele
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Auburn is playing in the primetime game on ABC Saturday night with College GameDay in town and Kirk Herbstreit calling the game. Gus Malzahn summed it up perfectly on Tuesday, saying “it’s as big as it gets.”
Add in the fact the Tigers plan to start a true freshman under center and are playing on a neutral field against one of the preseason Pac-12 favorites in the Oregon Ducks, and this game looks to have many unanswered question marks heading into the season opener.
One of the biggest unanswered questions for the Tigers heading into the Oregon game is the status of sophomore receiver Anthony Schwartz. The speed demon broke a bone in his hand during training camp after missing all of the spring due to his Auburn track responsibilities. Not having Schwartz on the field could change the game plan for the Tigers but Malzahn isn’t ready to reveal whether his fastest player will see the field this weekend or not.
“We don’t know the answer to that. It could be a game-time situation as far as a decision with that,” Malzahn said on Tuesday. “We are hopeful but we don’t know the answer to that yet.”
Leading up to Malzahn’s first press conference of the season, Auburn did release an official depth chart but it included six running backs as potential starters. Malzahn explained that odd decision while also revealing the team’s true starting runner.
“We got a lot of confidence in all of them and they all could possibly play,” the Auburn coach said. “Boobie Whitlow will be the first guy that goes out but we could possibly play them all. We are impressed with all of them.”
Another interesting note on Auburn’s chart listed defensive lineman Nick Coe as the team’s starting outside linebacker. Malzahn explained that move on Tuesday.
“So Nick is going to move around, Nick is a starter. With different personnel groupings they give us, he will move around,” he noted. “He gives us a lot of flexibility, he can play outside, he can play inside, he can play off the ball, he’s a very versatile player that gives our defense a lot of flexibility.”
That wasn’t all Malzahn had to share on Coe.
“He is very important, he had a very good year last year,” he continued. “He was one of the guys that thought about leaving and he chose to come back. He gives us a lot of flexibility. He can play inside and he’s really good when he’s a defensive tackle and nose and he’s really good when he’s on the outside, rushing the passer and when you get him off the ball. He gives you a lot of flexibility.”
Of course, the one player all Auburn fans are dying to see in action is true freshman Bo Nix. What’s the plan for Auburn’s true freshman signal-caller? According to Malzahn, the game plan is designed to not overwhelm the first-time starter.
“You are talking about a true freshman in his first start against one of the best teams in the country, College GameDay is there, Herbstreit’s doing the game — it’s as big as it gets. We need to be good around him, that’s been our message,” Malzahn said. “I’m just asking him to play, to be his self and we are going to try and do some things he is comfortable with. We are taking in a game plan that is really built around him and his comfort zone and everything that goes with it.”
Does that mean Auburn will be conservative on offense? Not necessarily.
“I wouldn’t say that. I don’t think against one of the top teams in the country you can just be conservative,” Malzahn continued. “I think there is a fine line to try and put him in comfortable situations. That’s probably the best way to put it. Put him in comfortable positions but we are going to have to be balanced to have a chance to win against one of the best teams in the country. I wouldn’t take that as conservative, that’s probably not the best word to use.”
With Nix now entrenched as the team’s starter under center, Malzahn was asked about Joey Gatewood’s role in the opener. While he refused to get into much detail, Malzahn said the redshirt freshman’s role will change week to week.
“There could be, each game will be different. Of course, Joey is our backup quarterback, one play away from playing. He is an electric type player, no doubt,” he said. “Each game we will have different plans.”
Finally, Malzahn revealed defensive coordinator Kevin Steele will be moving from the box down to the field.
“He is going to be on the sideline and I’m excited about that. I think that will be good in a lot of different ways,” the Auburn coach said of the move. “When I was going against him when he was at Clemson and I was a coordinator here, he did a super job with his communication and his checks and everything that goes with it. I think that will be a really good move.”
A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Michael Wayne Bratton oversees the news coverage for Saturday Down South. Michael previously worked for FOX Sports and NFL.com
