The Auburn Tigers scored a season-low nine points on Saturday. An inconsistent offense ran up against a stout Mississippi State defense that allowed 13 or fewer points for the fifth time in six games.

In a 23-9 loss to the Bulldogs, there weren’t a lot of positives for Auburn. The Tigers’ performance provided more negatives than positive. Here are three things about the game that I liked for the Tigers, and another five they need to improve.

Things I liked

1.Big play defense/special teams: The Tigers’ Marlon Davidson blocked a field goal attempt and had a career-high 10 tackles as part of a big-play defense which mostly forced Mississippi State to settle for field goals. Jeremiah Dinson recorded a career-high 15 tackles and also intercepted a pass. Until the final minutes, Auburn yielded only one touchdown. In all, the Tigers recorded five tackles for loss in addition to the pick. That helped keep the game within reach for all but the final two minutes.

2. JaTarvious Whitlow’s speed: Though it was ruled that he fumbled the ball before reaching the end zone on his 41-yard dash, the longest rushing play of the game, Whitlow displayed the speed and toughness that one would expect from a featured back.

3. Ryan Davis: The Tigers’ top receiver on Saturday had a game- and season-high eight pass receptions for 91 yards, including a 42-yarder, Auburn’s biggest play from scrimmage. Only once in his career has he compiled more, a 139-yard performance last season against Alabama. In addition, the Stidham-to-Davis combination is the second-most productive in Auburn history with 113 completions. The program record is 140, set from 1969-71 by QB Pat Sullivan and WR Terry Beasley.

Things that need improvement

1.Run game: Yes, the Tigers had some big running plays; Whitlow’s 41-yard run, and a 17-yard scamper by Anthony Schwartz. But take out those two big gainers and Auburn rushed for 34 yards on 19 carries. Of course, that also includes three sacks of QB Jarrett Stidham. But still, the run game was of little help on Saturday.

2. Pass protection: Those three sacks were just the tip of the problems the Auburn quarterback encountered from the Bulldogs defense. The Tigers lost 27 yards on those sacks, and Stidham was hurried another eight times. He seemed to be under duress the entire evening.

3. Inability to control key opposing player: It was no surprise that Mississippi State quarterback Nick Fitzgerald would be the Bulldogs’ go-to player. Still, the Tigers were unable to slow down the one-man show. Fitzgerald rushed (195 yards) and passed (69) for 264 of the Bulldogs’ 418 yards of offense.

4. Finishing drives: The Tigers reached the red zone three times but couldn’t find the end zone. That was despite having six drives of six or more plays, and only two three-and-out possessions.

5. Third-down conversions: The Tigers offense could have done much more damage had it stayed on the field. But Auburn converted just 3-of-14 third-down plays and that isn’t going to result in a lot of success. In addition, the Tigers were just 1-of-3 on fourth-down conversions.