Gene Chizik need only point to his roster to emphasize that Auburn’s offense won’t be some pass-happy, finesse team.
The most proven offensive players are tailback Ben Tate and linemen Lee Ziemba and Ryan Pugh. Think that new offense will abandon the ground game given those strengths and all the question marks elsewhere when the Tigers open Saturday night against Louisiana Tech?
“I’ve said this since Day One: We know we have to run the football,” Chizik said. “We’ve got some experienced tailbacks, we’ve got some experienced guys that have had their hands on the ball. We know we have to run the football.
“Those guys have kind of been there and done that. That’s going be a big part of what we’re trying to accomplish.”
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It doesn’t mean offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn is going to pass on passing. But the two most experienced receivers-Montez Billings (academics) and Tim Hawthorne (broken foot)-are out and the rest have yet to prove themselves in games.
Quarterback Chris Todd has only had a few weeks in Malzahn’s offense since he missed spring practice while recovering from shoulder surgery.
Then there’s Tate, just 41 yards shy of 2,000 for his career and finally getting a chance as the full-time starter. And speedy newcomer Onterrio McCalebb and versatile Mario Fannin also factor into the running game.
The Tigers’ tried to use the pass to set up the run last season in a failed switch to Tony Franklin’s offense. Now, it figures to be the other way around.
“For this offense to be successful, we’re going to have to run the ball,” tight end Tommy Trott said. “The run is used to set up the pass in this offense. We have play-action passes. We have a lot of stuff going on behind the run where we’re faking reverses a lot, running reverses.
“(Malzahn’s) going to throw the book at you. He doesn’t call them trick plays. As far as he’s concerned it’s offense and it’s an advantage that we have.”
Trott said instead of trying to run to the corners, the backs will now hit the middle more. That would be more suitable for the 218-pound Tate, whose style is more about power than speed.
The Tigers are hoping the results will be much better, too. They ranked 110th nationally in scoring offense, 104th in total offense and 99th in passing offense last season in a disastrous attempt to become a spread team.
Auburn might not be able to just pound away at Louisiana Tech, which allowed just 104 yards a game rushing last season led by defensive tackle Anthony Smith.
The game will also give fans their first look at freshman receivers Emory Blake and DeAngelo Benton, and of McCalebb. Not to mention converted quarterback Kodi Burns.
For the offense to flourish, chances are those newcomers will need to be significant contributors. Starting receivers Darvin Adams and Terrell Zachery combined for just five catches last season, but have drawn consistent praise from position coach Trooper Taylor.
It all could add up to plenty of running, especially early in the season. Malzahn’s offenses the past two seasons at Tulsa ranked either first or second nationally in total yards. Last season, Tulsa ranked fifth in rushing offense.
That’s a good sign for Tate and his blockers.
“We’re going to lean heavily on that,” Chizik said of the ground game. “We also know we have to throw the football as well. We feel really good about our offensive line right now.”
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