Three things learned, two questions, one prediction after Auburn's bounce-back win over New Mexico

AUBURN -- That was better. New Mexico isn't a world beater, but Auburn won going away, regained some confidence on offense, and after leading just 17-13 at halftime, finished the game better than they started. There aren't any big takeaways from Hank Brown's performance against a defense that entered as one of the nation's worst in total defense and scoring defense. However, Brown didn't turn the ball over, completed 68 percent of his passes, and showed the ability to be consistent after hitting nine straight passes out of halftime. Hugh Freeze said he was "solid," and that sounds about right. Like the Cal game, the defense player better in the second half than the first. Glass half full, DJ Durkin and Co. are making proper adjustments. Glass half empty, the preparation and early-game execution isn't anywhere close to being where it needs to be to win SEC games. The defense might be as big a mystery as the quarterback position right now in terms of what type of production we will see from game to game. The preseason is over. Auburn is 2-1 and the make-or-break tests start now with Arkansas, Oklahoma and Georgia over the next three weeks. Whatever needs to be figured out better be figured out this week, because a home loss to Arkansas isn't acceptable, even in the rebuilding mode the Tigers' program is in at this exact moment.