WEEK 8: Auburn Football Drops Its Fourth in a Row

Yet another disappointing week for Auburn football fans. After a 3-0 start, the Tigers have now lost four in a row to move to 3-4 (0-4 in SEC) on the year. The disapproval of the fanbase with the current state of the team was clear in Jordan Hare on Saturday night, as boo's rained down amidst another failed offensive possession. Opinions are flying all around, some more dramatic than others. People are beginning to question whether or not Hugh Freeze was the right hire. People are beginning to question if this team actually practices during the week (kidding). In all seriousness, things are beginning to get a bit out of hand regarding this program. Let me provide some insight.

We have made it through the ringer. In the last four weeks, we have played the current #1, #12, and #15 ranked teams, and our other game was on the road in one of the toughest environments in all of college football. At the beginning of the season, I predicted that we would drop all four of these. Granted, I was hoping the losses would be a little prettier, and I was hoping that we would be showing some signs of progression each week. Nonetheless, my prediction was correct. Winning any of these four would have been a big time upset. Rather than losing our minds and giving up on this team, I believe it is more important now than ever that we rally behind this team for the last stretch of the season. We have four very winnable games ahead of us on the schedule, and everyone knows that crazy things happen when Alabama comes to Jordan Hare. If Auburn can get hot now, an 8-4 finish is still very much in the picture. This has been a tough stretch, but the opportunity ahead of us gives me hope.

I won't split up negatives and positives from the Ole Miss game, but I will discuss some individual thoughts I had during the loss...

-Auburn continues to struggle with the QB rotation. At one point, we subbed in Thorne on third and short, got an illegal substitution penalty, subbed Ashford BACK in for third and medium, and proceeded to run the ball for two yards. I still don't feel like we move with much purpose when making our substitutions. Freeze discussed at his press conference about the limited playbook he gives each QB. I still think that moving forward, it would be best to proceed with one quarterback and give him the whole playbook.

-The defense didn't play great, but they certainly didn't play bad. They limited Ole Miss to 28 points, and they gave Auburn an opportunity to win the game. I can't wait for Quinshon Judkins to be gone. He gives this Auburn defense nightmares each time they cross paths. He will be back next year, and I am already dreading having to watch him terrorize us again.

-Jarquez Hunter looked like the old Jarquez on Saturday. He was explosive, he made guys miss, and he hit the holes hard. I hope that this will be the Jarquez that we get for the remainder of the year. With Alston being rumored to return this week, this Auburn rushing attack could get dangerous.

-Auburn completely whiffed on receivers in the portal. Shane Hooks, who looked incredible in the preseason, has only eight catches on the year. Caleb Burton has three catches. Jyaire Shorter has one catch. Nick Mardner hasn't caught a ball all year. I am very disappointed in the production from this group this year. I think Freeze starts from scratch next year with the receivers.

There's no time to dwell on the past four weeks. Sitting and wallowing in our sorrows will get us nowhere. This team has an opportunity to pull a complete 180 over the next few weeks. I don't see any reason why we can't win out from here if we play our best football. Let's refocus and get ready for Mississippi State.