CLEVELAND, Ohio — Last weekend’s performance by Auburn’s offensive line sent shockwaves through the college football world.
Nine sacks. Let that number sink in. The Tigers surrendered nine sacks in their loss to Oklahoma, raising serious questions about their ability to protect quarterback Jackson Arnold heading into a hostile environment at Kyle Field against Texas A&M.
The Always College Football (ACF) podcast didn’t mince words when addressing the issue.
“Nine sacks. Nine sacks. That was last week. They gave up pressure on 36% of Jackson Arnold’s drop backs last week,” ACF host Greg McElroy said. “Now common sense will lead you to think that it’s just on the O line, but that was hardly the case. Jackson’s got to get rid of the ball a little bit faster.”
This protection problem isn’t new for Arnold.
His tendency to hold the ball while waiting for perfect throwing windows has been a recurring issue throughout his career, dating back to his time as Oklahoma’s starter last season.
“Last year he started nine games, was sacked 34 times. Last week he got dropped nine times against the Sooners,” McElroy said. “So there’s been sometimes a little bit of a hesitancy to throw the ball unless things are perfect and that’s not going to work out against top pass rushing units. And guess who has one of those? That’d be Texas A&M.”
The Aggies’ defensive front poses another significant challenge. While their raw sack numbers haven’t been jaw-dropping (nine total sacks through three games), their ability to generate consistent pressure is concerning for an Auburn offensive line that’s struggling with basic protection assignments.
Texas A&M is generating pressure on approximately 38% of opposing quarterbacks’ dropbacks, a rate that would spell disaster for Arnold if Auburn can’t make significant adjustments.
What makes this matchup particularly problematic for Auburn is that their greatest strength, a talented wide receiver corps, becomes neutralized if Arnold doesn’t have time to find them downfield.
Cam Coleman, Eric Singleton Jr. and Malcolm Simmons form one of the SEC’s most promising young receiver units, but their impact will be minimal if Arnold is constantly running for his life.
The solution might be establishing a more effective ground game.
Auburn’s rushing attack was non-existent against Oklahoma, managing just 67 yards. Running backs Jeremiah Cobb and Kheil Valentine need to find more success to take pressure off Arnold and the passing game. Creating manageable third downs will be criticalin a hostile environment like Kyle Field.
Meanwhile, Texas A&M’s offense has undergone a complete transformation from last season’s ground-and-pound approach.
The Aggies now boast one of the nation’s most dynamic passing attacks, led by electric playmakers who excel at creating yards after catch.
“The additions of Mario Craver and K.C. Concepcion have been amazing,” McElroy said. “These guys are elite with the ball in their hands. They’re averaging eight yards after catch per reception, which is top 10 in the country. Craver by himself has 280 yards after the catch. That’s amazing.”
This poses another significant challenge for Auburn, especially if they’re missing cornerback Jay Crawford, who’s dealing with a knee injury. The Tigers’ secondary showed improvement against Oklahoma, but facing A&M’s explosive receivers without Crawford would be a major concern.
Beyond the X’s and O’s, however, Auburn must address their penalty issues before heading into Kyle Field.
Last week, they committed 13 penalties for 85 yards, frequently putting themselves in difficult down-and-distance situations. In the SEC, and especially in hostile environments, that level of undisciplined play is a recipe for defeat.
This matchup represents a critical juncture in Auburn’s season.
Can they correct their protection issues against another elite defensive front?
Will Arnold make quicker decisions to mitigate pressure?
Can their ground game provide balance to keep the Aggies’ defense honest?
The answers to these questions will likely determine whether Auburn can pull off the upset in College Station or if their offensive line struggles will continue to undermine their considerable talent at the skill positions.
Don’t miss what promises to be an intense battle in the trenches with significant implications for both teams’ conference aspirations.