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AUBURN, Ala. | When your offense is mired at the bottom of the national rankings in yards and points, there's no reason to expect the offensive line to receive rave reviews.

That's certainly the case with Auburn.

"Offensive line? They've been OK," offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee said. "We've not been dominant, we've ran the ball decent, not great.

"The last two games specifically, as a group it's not just the line, we have got to protect the passer; that goes from the line to the backs to the quarterback."

Auburn's o-line is fairly experienced. The five starters that lineup against San Jose State Saturday will have a combined 71 starts between them. Left tackle Shon Coleman and right tackle Avery Young have combined for 44 of those starts.

But it will only be the third-straight game all five have lined up in the same position and chemistry remains a concern after beginning the season with co-starters at left guard and having a first-time starter at center, Austin Golson, who has played mainly guard and tackle throughout is high school and college career.

"We are not where we want to be, but we are definitely coming together," Coleman said. "We have a lot of first-year players on the offensive line. We have a new center and he has to make calls. As a whole, we are trying to adjust and get that chemistry going."

Golson, an Ole Miss transfer, moved to center for the first time during Auburn's bowl practices last December. He's replacing four-year starter Reese Dismukes.

"We have said it before, outside the quarterback that's one of the most pivotal positions for what we do -- mentally and physically," Lashlee said.

Golson had a key error against Mississippi State when his errant snap on 3rd-and-goal at the 1-yard line cost the Tigers a potential touchdown. After Daniel Carlson missed a 26-yard field goal on the next play, Auburn had come up empty on two drives inside the 10-yard line in the first half.

Golson, a sophomore, beat out senior Xavier Dampeer for the starting position during preseason practice and his starting position appears to be secure.

"There's never been a discussion of changing, but obviously he's had a tendency at times to go little hot, and high to the right. It's something we focused heavy on this week," Lashlee said.

With Sean White now established as Auburn's starting quarterback and Peyton Barber doing most of the heavy work at running back, Auburn's offense could be close to turning the corner after two straight SEC losses.

"We will grow from these losses and not check out of the competition because of it," Coleman said. "We will move on from here and still work towards achieving everything we want to achieve. We improved greatly. Guys are still coming into their own in their specific positions, but we can definitely improve.

"The most important thing is that everyone is willing to learn from their mistakes and with that belief, anything is possible. We can only go up from here."