Tim Tebow on Payton Thorne, Auburn offense: 'This needs to come down to the running game'

After a game and a half of being benched, Payton Thorne is back as the starting quarterback for Auburn. With that decision made, finding a way to help him be successful will be incredibly important for the Tigers.

Tim Tebow assessed Thorne ahead of tomorrow’s matchup with No. 21 Oklahoma on ‘The Paul Finebaum Show’ on Friday. For an offense that needs something, he likes that they’re going back to the veteran against one of the better defenses in the country. However, with them doing so, they’ll need to get him going, which means getting him a few big throws early for him to gain some belief in himself and for the unit.

“I think this is an offense that’s really looking for hope,” said Tebow. “I think they’re going to put more of the reins back on Payton Thorne tomorrow and hope, with his experience, that he can give them a little something.”

“This is also a quarterback in Payton Thorne that has played good throughout times in his career. How do you get that confidence back?” Tebow asked. “I would really try to give him some shots early in the game to try to get a little momentum, get this crowd into it.”

In two and a half games, Thorne is 40-70 (57.1%) overall for 700 yards, seven touchdowns, and five interceptions. He has also rushed for 102 yards and two more scores.

However, most of the positives from that stat line came in a blowout in the opener. In the games against Cal and Arkansas, Thorne is 27-49 (55.1%) for 378 yards, three touchdowns, and all of his picks. His run game also hasn’t been as efficient at just 2.5 yards a carry in those two.

With all that said, Auburn also has to do what they can to be effective elsewhere on offense. That’s all involving the run game as Tebow thinks that the Tigers have to do more on the ground.

“I actually believe more of this needs to come down to the running game,” said Tebow. “That’s your greatest strength right now on the offense. You try to get that offensive line to get a little push up front.”

“I think that you’ve got to find a way to give this offense hope. I would look for that more in getting it to your backs,” Tebow said. “Not just in your conventional power, inside zone. I think in screens and bubbles, getting it into their hands and try to make some plays early.”

Auburn would take any kind of offensive output at this point if it meant they’d stop turning it over at a nationally high level. Still, Tebow gave out a game plan that could help them be successful against the Sooners’ defense.