Potential for healthy Auburn offense to put up big numbers
AUBURN | Whether it’s against the run, the pass, or giving up big plays, Oklahoma’s defense is statistically one of the nation’s worst.
The Sooners rank 55th in rush defense allowing 160.8 yards per game, 119th in pass defense allowing 279.0 yards per game and 89th in total defense allowing 439.8 yards per game.
Oklahoma has allowed 20 plays of 40 or more yards, which ranks 108th nationally.
But can a Jekyll and Hyde Auburn offense take advantage?
Having quarterback Sean White and running backs Kamryn Pettway and Kerryon Johnson back relatively healthy for the game has Gus Malzahn fairly confident.
“We've been pretty successful running the football and I think when we've thrown it and our guys have been healthy, I think we've been pretty efficient,” Malzahn said. “Going into a game like this I think you're going to have to be able to do both to be totally effective. When we're at our best, we've been that way.”
The Oklahoma defense, which ranks 75th nationally allowing 29.7 points per game, gave up 45 points in a loss to Ohio State, 46 in a win over TCU, 40 in a win over Texas and 59 in a win over Texas Tech.
“We have to run the football. We have to make explosive plays. That’s where our focus has been and that’s what it’s going to continue to be,” Johnson said. “I think their defense is solid. They have a very solid defense. With an offense like that you can get away with some things. We just have to exploit it just like any other defense in the country.
“If you come out there and you’re not on your A-game they’ll get after the quarterback and the one thing they do is hustle after the football. They’re going to have nine or 10 guys around the football and they’re going to gang tackle. They are opportunistic and they’re looking to get the ball back to their explosive offense. We just have to keep the ball on our side and don’t make stupid turnovers and we’ll be fine.”
Auburn’s offense ranks 47th nationally averaging 32.3 points per game and 39th averaging 449.3 yards per game. The Tigers are sixth in rushing offense (278.5 ypg) but 112th in passing (170.8 ypg).
Auburn scored 38 in a win at Mississippi State, 56 in a win over Arkansas and 40 in a win at Ole Miss, but closed the season with seven points in a loss at Georgia and 12 points in a loss at Alabama.
Pettway missed the Georgia game and White the Alabama game. Neither was healthy the final month of the season, and Johnson played through a high ankle sprain the final two months.
All three were back healthy during bowl practices, which wrapped up in Auburn Thursday.
“It’s a different vibe we have going right now,” Pettway said. “We know everybody is healthy. Everybody is moving around and flying around. We feel good going into the bowl game.”
The Tigers will certainly try to establish the running game early but if the Sooners bring extra bodies to stop the run, it could give Auburn some opportunities for big plays in the passing game against an Oklahoma defense that has given up 16 passes of 40 or more yards.
On the other hand, Auburn has just seven passes of 40 or more yards this season.
Malzahn is hopeful Auburn can take advantage of that matchup when the opportunity presents itself.
“We definitely have the guys that can do that. It would definitely be a good thing,” he said.
No. 14 Auburn will play No. 7 Oklahoma in 83rd Sugar Bowl on Jan. 2 at 7:30 p.m. CT on ESPN.