Auburn has arguably the best backup quarterback in the SEC, and with its goals not mathematically impossible, but a little farther out of reach, should head coach Gus Mazlahn play Jeremy Johnson more during the Tigers’ final three games?
(We don’t expect any significant change, we’re just asking the question.)
Auburn has road trips to Georgia and Alabama left, sandwiched with Senior Day against Samford in Auburn. Senior quarterback Nick Marshall will play the entirety of the Tigers’ games against Georgia and Alabama, barring injury. Johnson likely will play the majority of the game against Samford.
Johnson turned eyes with his first-half performance in the season-opening win against Arkansas. He completed 12 of 16 passes for 243 yards and two scores. It wasn’t just his numbers, however, it was his orchestration of the offense. Johnson showed a good command for playbook and the ability to check in and out of plays.
He’s the most polished passer Gus Malzahn has had on the Plains, both as a head coach and a coordinator. (Yes, he’s a better passer than even Cam Newton.) The sophomore has completed 73 percent of his passes, thrown for close to 1,000 yards and nine scores in nine career appearances.
But what does Auburn gain by playing him now?
Nothing.
The Tigers have hit their stride of offense under the direction of Marshall, who has improved vastly as a passer over the past six weeks after a slow start to the season. Auburn faces two must-win rivalry games if it hopes to keep its slim chance of an SEC West title alive. Marshall gives Auburn the best chance to beat both the Bulldogs and the Crimson Tide.
Johnson is not as mobile as Marshall, who gives defenses fits with his ability to run the zone read with running back Cameron Artis-Payne.
Marshall has improved with his accuracy, and is better on short to intermediate throws than he was earlier in the season.
The senior is completing 61 percent of his passes, and has totaled 1,576 yards and 14 touchdowns to just four interceptions. Marshall leads to the SEC in passing efficiency, which is the measurement Malzahn and offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee use to measure their offense.
Look, the other side of the argument makes sense. Marshall’s gone after this season, go ahead and get your quarterback of the next two seasons some reps and let’s see what the offense can look like with Johnson under center.
But the Tigers will have all spring, summer and fall camp to see what Johnson can do in the offense without having to sacrifice any snaps for Marshall this season with a 10-win season still on the line.
Marshall’s the guy. He’s been the guy all season. He’s quietly become a leader of that offense and doesn’t mind taking games over.
Keep him under center and let’s see what kind of magic No. 14 can create over the season’s final three weeks.
After living in Birmingham, Ala., Jordan left the ground zero of SEC Nation to head south to Florida to tell the unique stories of the renowned tradition of SEC football. In his free time, his mission is to find the best locales around.
