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Tom Luginbill points to how Auburn has found confidence on offense
By Rolando Rosa
Published:
Tom Luginbill believes Auburn (5-4) has turned the corner offensively in the last 2 weeks and should reach bowl eligibility because of it. Auburn defeated host Vanderbilt 31-15 to improve to 5-4 and gain its second consecutive victory in SEC play.
Auburn quarterback Payton Thorne completed 17 of his 27 passes for 194 yards, 2 touchdowns, and an interception. Jarquez Hunter had a massive game on the ground with 183 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Meanwhile, Auburn’s defense racked up 5 sacks and an interception.
The ESPN analyst raves about the offensive adjustments made by Hugh Freeze and his staff after starting out 0-4 in SEC play.
Auburn is currently 5-4, one win away from becoming bowl-eligible in the Tigers’ first season under Hugh Freeze. @espn’s @TomLuginbill says “I don’t see any reason why this isn’t a bowl team. I think they’re gonna coach themselves into being a bowl team.” @AuburnFootball… pic.twitter.com/m6S6jZSaJW
— The Next Round (@NextRoundLive) November 6, 2023
“Given the cards that they were dealt, particularly on offense, because I think you can make a fair argument they’re a pretty well-coached defensive football team,” Luginbill said. “They’re actually a pretty good defensive team athletically too. But the adjustments made particularly in the last couple of weeks.”
Luginbill thinks that handing the keys full-time to Thorne has worked wonders for Auburn’s offense, while also praising the play of Hunter.
“If you noticed, back-to-back weeks consistency with 1 player at quarterback and then the run game production actually coming from the running back. I think that’s a complete shift in deviation from what we saw early,” Luginbill said. “That’s coaching. That’s trying to get your best players in a position to succeed.”
Auburn will have 3 chances to reach bowl eligibility as they close with contests vs. Arkansas, New Mexico State, and Alabama. Luginbill envisions a bowl bid in Freeze’s first season at the helm.
“Might’ve taken some time. It was a work in progress each and every week…Now you have 2 straight weeks in a row…What this does is it gives you consistency. It gives you confidence. It gives this football team a belief that they are doing the right things…I don’t see any reason why this isn’t a bowl team. I think they’re going to coach themselves into being a bowl team.”
