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The Auburn Tigers suffered a disheartening 24-14 defeat to the No. 17 Tennessee Volunteers on Saturday night at Neyland Stadium, a game that many consider the most exasperating of the season so far. Despite outgaining Tennessee 345 to 323 in total yards, Auburn's offense sputtered for much of the contest.
The Tigers failed to record a first down until fewer than 10 minutes remained in the second quarter, and their first six possessions ended in three-and-outs, a fumble, and a punt. Their only first-half score came after Xavier Atkins intercepted a pass deep in Tennessee territory, and even that short touchdown drive was a struggle.
Numerous issues plagued Auburn: undisciplined penalties that stalled promising drives, costly turnovers, and, most frustratingly for fans, questionable play-calling. Offensive coordinator Joel Gordon, who handles the primary play-calling duties, has become the target of fan ire on social media since the loss.
"Joel Gordon is not a good playcaller. Actually worse than that even," posted one of Auburn's most popular fan accounts on X. Another fan wrote, "I need to see a change.org petition to fire Joel Gordon ASAP."
The most baffling decision came on a fourth-and-inches play from the Auburn 24-yard line, with the Tigers trailing 17-14 and only 6:34 left in regulation. Instead of calling a quarterback sneak with 235-pound quarterback Byrum Brown, Gordon dialed up a toss to Jeremiah Cobb. Many believed a sneak was the obvious choice.
"4th down play call was the worst thing I've ever seen," posted an account named Joel Gordon Hater on X. "Golesh has to fire Joel Gordon. There's no salvaging our offensive production over the past few games. Byrum is the most overpaid QB in CFB."
In addition to critical tweets, photos of Gordon with a clown filter have circulated online. "When a game is on the line like that, your past tendencies don't matter. It was inches from a first down, not time to try and fool someone. Just sneak the damn ball," another fan said on X. "First quarter in a close ballgame, maybe try something. Most crucial drive of the game, NO!!"
Head coach Alex Golesh explained the rationale behind the play call in the postgame press conference. "The pictures they had shown, we thought they would chase it off the backside edge, and go hat for hat with (Sigler), and get Cobb out in space," Golesh said.
Another account quipped, "Gordon looks like he could be managing a local Chili's, but instead, he's calling plays for my favorite football team."
Beyond the controversial fourth-down call, Gordon and his staff have been criticized for not tailoring the offense to its strengths. The interior offensive line is arguably the weakest unit on the team, struggling to generate push up front. Without that push, running backs Jeremiah Cobb and Omar Mabson have little room to operate, yet Gordon continues to call designed runs up the middle. Against a stout Tennessee defensive front, such plays are ineffective.
However, when Mabson and Brown get outside the tackles, Auburn has been able to generate chunk plays. Additionally, Brown is not a pocket passer—he never has been and never will be. Yet many play calls, especially in the first half, seem designed for a seasoned pocket passer. When Brown uses his legs to extend plays and throw downfield, the offense finds a rhythm. The Tigers' identity should revolve around Brown's running ability, but that hasn't been the case.
Gordon followed head coach Alex Golesh from South Florida, along with nearly the entire offensive staff and many players. The Bulls had one of the nation's top offenses last season, but that success hasn't translated to Auburn. While the Tigers may lack elite talent across the board, they had enough to beat Tennessee on Saturday—it starts with the coaching staff.
For Auburn to turn things around and secure a bowl berth, Gordon and Golesh must recognize the offense's strengths and weaknesses and call plays accordingly.