Auburn Searching For Offensive Identity

This preseason most knowledgeable Auburn fans assumed the offense would be better than the defense this year considering a number of different factors, but none greater than new head coach Hugh Freeze’s reputation as one of the game’s best offensive minds and play callers. The first game against UMass seemed to echo those sentiments, but then came the abysmal offensive performance against Cal when the Tigers turned the ball over a staggering four times, yet some how, some way were able to get the road win over the Golden Bears, 14-10 in week two of the young season.

Wait, I’m hearing a message in my earpiece: “Coach Freeze relinquished play calling duties upon hiring offensive coordinator Philip Montgomery.”

You mean to tell me that one of the things that make Freeze great was taken away from him … by him?

Yes, that’s exactly what I’m telling you. Freeze allows his coaches to coach and that’s a good thing. Does he chime in on the headset from time to time with offensive wisdom or even a play call? Yes. In fact, Freeze said he called three plays in the Cal game including the fade to Rivaldo Fairweather for the go-ahead touchdown.

The question begs to be asked — why would Freeze give up play calling duties when he’s widely considered one of the game’s best play callers?

Because of the respect Freeze has for Montgomery, who’s also considered one of the brightest offensive minds in college football. For context, Montgomery was the offensive coordinator and play caller at Baylor where he coached for seven seasons from 2008-2014. The Bears featured one of the most dynamic offenses in the country during Montgomery’s tenure in those roles. In 2014, Baylor led the country in scoring (48.8 ppg) and total offense (581.3 ypg) after leading the nation in total offense in 2013 (618.8 ypg), and ranking second in 2012 (572.2) and 2011 (587.1).

After his time at Baylor, Montgomery was then hired by Tulsa where he served as head coach from 2015-2022. In his very first season as the head man for the Golden Hurricane, Tulsa ranked among the nation’s leaders for passing, scoring and total offense. Montgomery’s offensive acumen would continue to be put on full display during his time at Tulsa, where several offensive records were set or broken.

Under Montgomery’s direction, the 2016 Tulsa offense established an NCAA record, becoming the first program in FBS/DI history with two 1,000-yard rushers, two 1,000-yard receivers, and a 3,000-yard passer.

In other words, it makes perfect sense that Freeze would entrust play calling duties to someone with Montgomery’s offensive pedigree, especially considering all of the responsibilities of a Power 5 head coach in the toughest conference in the country. For Freeze to be successful at Auburn, he knows he has to properly delegate responsibilities so he doesn’t have to shoulder the entire load.

That said, Auburn is still searching for its offensive identity after the first two games revealed a diagnosis of bipolarism.

The Tigers will look to continue to solidify who they are on the offensive side of the ball during homecoming on The Plains when Auburn (2-0) hosts Samford (1-1) at 6 PM CST on ESPN+.

Perhaps the biggest improvement from one week to the next that the Auburn head coach needs to see out of his offense tonight is to simply protect the football and not turn it over. Quite frankly, it does not matter how good of an offense you’re supposed to have if they’re constantly turning the ball over to the other team and putting their own backs against the wall defensively.

Fortunately for the Tigers, the Cal game proved that Auburn’s defense is better than expected even if it also meant the offense doesn’t quite measure up to the expectations.

Montgomery and his unit will try to take advantage of a Samford team that lost to Western Carolina last week, 30-7. Yes, the same Western Carolina that lost to Arkansas in week one, 56-13.

Don’t get me wrong, piling up offensive stats against an undermanned Samford squad won’t do much to move the needle of perception in regards to Auburn’s offense, but it most certainly will help the players on that side of the ball regain some confidence.

With a trip to College Station now just one week away, it’s imperative that Auburn takes full advantage of its opportunity tonight against Samford to not only work out the kinks and protect the football, but more importantly discover what its true identity is this season, especially on the side of the ball that Freeze knows best.