Auburn installing new downhill mentality, approach on offense

Auburn football has a new mentality on offense as they head into the new season. Last season, the Tigers went 6-5 and was middle of the pack among SEC teams in most offensive categories. Tom Green of Al.com said that one word can be used to describe Auburn’s offense for this season – downhill.

Auburn’s downhill offense is a mentality

Former Auburn coach Gus Malzahn is now at Central Florida, and gone with him is his offensive scheme. Instead of the fast-paced, hurry up offense Malzahn installed, new head coach Bryan Harsin and offensive coordinator Mike Bobo are creating a downhill, pro-style offense.

To run a downhill offensive attack, it involves everybody on the offense. The run-first approach involves strong play not only form the backfield, but by the offensive line and other weapons on the field.

“You hear the words ‘downhill running game,’ and that’s what we preach to our guys,” Bobo said. “You’re lined up in the I-formation and just running straight downhill. But I think it’s a physical attitude. It’s not just the running back, but it’s the offensive line, it’s the receivers. I believe you have to be able to run the ball to get to where you want to go. And that’s ultimately to win a championship and to be able to run the ball late in football games. Downhill, physical running game to me is a mentality.

“To me, it’s a mindset that we’re going to be physical in the run game. It’s not necessarily we’re going to run between the A-gaps every snap. It’s just a mentality of how we’re going to play at all the positions offensively.”

New approach, mentality excites Auburn players

Players are very excited about the new offensive attack and mentality this season. Running back Tank Bigsby is one of the most talented running backs in the SEC, and this new offense could help him be even better. Other players on the offense are also excited to see what the new offense could bring to the team.

“When they first introduced the offense to us, the big, main points were downhill, physical run game, just a pro-style offense,” tight end Luke Deal said. “It had everybody really excited when it was introduced to us. Being in it in the spring and more so now through camp, it’s been awesome. So refreshing.”

Last season, Auburn averaged 385 yards and 25.7 points per game, both of which ranked towards the bottom half of the SEC. With a new offensive scheme and a new mentality surrounding the team, Auburn is hoping those totals increase this season.