Andy Staples: Hugh Freeze, Auburn should take offensive cues from Michigan
Michigan doesn’t have an offense that you would think other teams would want to copy. After all, the Wolverines rank No. 109 nationally in total offense and No. 97 nationally in scoring offense. However, with the struggles Auburn has had with turning the ball over, On3’s Andy Staples believes the Tigers should take some offensive cues from Michigan.
The Wolverines used a ground-and-pound attack to upset USC last weekend, passing for only 32 yards but rushing for 290 in a 27-24 win.
Staples believes a similar strategy could work for Auburn this weekend against Oklahoma and beyond.
“This team’s averaging like 6.3 yards a carry. … Against Cal, which was the worst game they had, they averaged 4 yards a carry. Against Arkansas they averaged 5.6,” Andy Staples said Tuesday on Andy and Ari On3. “Jarquez Hunter’s worst game is 5.6 yards per carry, like they are moving the ball. And maybe they just need to try to move it on the ground more if moving it through the air is too dangerous.”
Auburn fell to 2-2 (0-1) on Saturday, dropping a game with Arkansas 24-14. The Tigers turned the ball over five times in the loss, throwing four interceptions and also losing a fumble.
Auburn already has 14 turnovers on the year through four games and now faces an Oklahoma team that has its own issues on offense but also has a defense that is playing well.
“The problem is they’ve gotta play Oklahoma this week, which you know who’s great at turning you over? Oklahoma’s defense,” Staples said. “Then they play Georgia. Then they have Kentucky and Missouri. … They’re staring down the barrel of five consecutive losses if this doesn’t turn around quickly.
“… They are moving the ball. They’re actually moving the ball really well if they stop throwing to the other team. And look, I went and rewatched the game, Payton Thorne certainly played better than Hank Brown in that game. I think he gives you a better chance to win. … Payton Thorne is averaging 10 yards an attempt.”
While Thorne may be a capable quarterback, if Auburn is having success with the run game, the Tigers should continue to pound the rock until they can’t anymore, per Staples.
“What did I say about Sherrone Moore last week? What was the whole point of that? Figure out a way to put your team in the best position to win a game with what you have. Hugh Freeze is not doing that. Because he keeps calling things that keep getting the ball put in danger, when he has an offense that moves it very well on the ground,” Staples said. “So maybe you adjust your thinking a little bit, and you do the thing that wins you the game.
“Like if you go out there running your normal offense, and you throw a pick in the first two series, shut it down and run it at them. Because you run really well. You’re good at running the ball.”