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The Auburn Tigers' offensive unit has faced significant challenges this season, especially in the early stages of games, with the primary culprit being the play of the offensive line. The interior line has been unable to assert dominance at the line of scrimmage, which has negatively impacted the running game. Currently, the Tigers rank eighth in the SEC with an average of 180 rushing yards per game, but surprisingly, the team's leading rusher is quarterback Byrum Brown, not any of the three highly touted running backs.
The passing attack has also been ineffective, as Auburn tops the SEC in sacks allowed with 18. Brown is managing only 6.6 yards per completion, often resorting to short, quick throws and screen passes. So, what exactly has gone wrong for the offensive line? Head coach Alex Golesh offered his insights on Monday.
"I was hoping we would be further ahead in terms of being more efficient," Golesh said. "There's certain things we have done well. Third down has been, as much as we've been in it, has been more efficient than I thought it would be as we've evolved and grown. I still don't think we're running it well enough. We're not protecting well enough in situations where we have to protect and you have to bow up and go."
The Tigers were forced to replace six of seven offensive linemen who started in 2025, as five graduated or entered the NFL Draft, and a sixth, Xavier Chaplin, transferred to Florida State. Consequently, the patchwork line has struggled to develop cohesion, leading to a coach's worst nightmare: penalties. In the game against Tennessee, the offensive line committed three false start penalties in the first quarter, one on each of the Tigers' drives. This put the offense, which was already struggling to find an early rhythm, in difficult down-and-distance situations.
"You're in first-and-15 three different times. You're in 3rd-and-3 going back to a 3rd-and-8," Golesh said. "The self-inflicted stuff is what can't happen when the margins are tiny as it is. I felt like we never got in rhythm."
While the offensive line has plenty of room for improvement, they will have the entire week to work on it as the Tigers enjoy their only bye week of the season. However, their progress will be immediately tested, as awaiting Auburn after the bye is No. 2 Georgia, currently ranked as the second-best team in the nation.
For more Auburn coverage, consider making AuburnOnSI a preferred source on Google. Brooks is an Atlanta-born sports journalism major whose work has appeared on Eagle Eye TV, Fly War Eagle, Sporting News, Bleacher Report, MSN, and others. He also anchors Eagle Eye TV's Sports Night in Auburn, a live broadcast on Channel Six and YouTube Live. Follow him at itsbrookscrew.