Episode Details

ALERT: Auburn football beat Vanderbilt, but the way the Tigers won raises another major question about this offense.

Why does Auburn seem to find its best plays only when it absolutely has to have them?

The Tigers have struggled with slow starts, inconsistent offensive sequencing and an inability to consistently score touchdowns. Yet when Auburn reaches desperation mode, suddenly the offense can look completely different.

That happened against Vanderbilt.

After Vanderbilt scored in the second half, Auburn answered with one of its best touchdown drives of the game. Later, when Auburn needed to keep the football away from Vanderbilt and finish the game, the Tigers produced another impressive possession with some of their best play calls.

So where is that creativity earlier?

Joel Gordon is Auburn's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, and the early results have created legitimate questions about play sequencing, scripting and how quickly Auburn is adjusting when the original plan is not working.

The blocked punt touchdown against Vanderbilt makes the offensive discussion even more important.

Auburn needed that special teams score.

If the blocked punt does not reach the end zone, there is no guarantee Auburn finishes that possession with seven points considering how inconsistent the offense has been in scoring situations. The defense held Vanderbilt to 15 points, and special teams delivered a touchdown. Auburn still needed every bit of it.

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