Papa John's Cardinal Stadium Fitted Photo by Seth Bloom

VIDEO Homework: Auburn vs. Arkansas 2014

Mark BlankenbakerAugust 18, 2015

Auburn started out its 2014 season at home vs. Arkansas under 2-year head coach Bret Bielema. The game started strange without a working clock and with the Tigers using then sophomore Jeremy Johnson due to a suspension to starter Nick Marshall. Jeremy Johnson will be the starting QB vs. Louisville in the Georgia Dome and Johnson lit up the Razorbacks throwing for 12/16 for 243 yards and 2 TDs in just one half.

While the two teams went into halftime knotted at half at 21, Nick Marshall only needed to throw 6 times in the weather delay-lengthened 2nd half to put the Razorbacks away 45-21 as the Auburn defense held Arkansas to ZERO points in the 2nd half.

Auburn’s offense is very interesting in how they use movement and space to go along with power. Simple zone reads can be pulled down and into throws if the Corner decides to blitz for big gains. Lots of jet sweeps, zone reads, downfield passing, and even delayed draws (with boot options) on 1st and 2nd down. The variation is pretty fun to watch…unless you are playing against it. Defensively, Auburn stepped up in the 2nd half of this game but they were a little soft up the middle vs. Arkansas and in the short to intermediate passing game. Arkansas got out of its gameplan with Auburn putting pressure on the Razorbacks by continually scoring and Arkansas not being able to keep up due to being limited at the quarterback position.

Taking away from this for Louisville. The Cards are going to have to find ways to continue to score. The Tight End could be a major weapon and if Louisville can find success running the football that will open up things outside. Defensively, however, the message is STAY HOME. Even with Jeremy Johnson being a less mobile QB than Nick Marshall Auburn’s defense is designed to take advantage of aggression and make teams pay who over-pursue.