The Auburn football team is gearing up for their week one matchup this Saturday against Baylor. Head coach Alex Golesh has spoken at great lengths about wanting to be a run heavy offense this season. Last year, the Tigers were 43rd in the country in rushing yards per game. If Auburn is to improve upon that performance, it must have better play on the offensive line.
“We are healthy there,” Golesh said on Monday. “We’ve continued to juggle guys and rotate guys in. Just in terms of how we play you have to have a rotation in there so guys can be fresh.”
According to Monday’s depth chart, the projected starters along the offensive line are Jo Simmons at left tackle, Jacob Strand at left guard, Cole Best at center, Cole Skinner at right guard, and Stanton Ramil at right tackle. Auburn Undercover previously reported about Golesh searching for leaders on his first Auburn team. He feels three of them could be right here.
“Cole Best has done a really good job of continuing to come out of his shell and lead…I’ve mentioned Stanton Ramil has that ability in him…Cole Skinner has come out of his shell in some ways.”
Offensive coordinator Joel Gordon feels this group has grown tremendously leading into game week. He says the offensive line is different from any other group in that all five guys have to be thinking the same way. Gordon feels that all starts in the middle with Best.
“He’s been as consistent as a voice and a leader on our side of the ball since day one…He’s gotten more confident…I think that everybody else in that room trusts Cole,” Gordon said.
Golesh said there are still times at practice where the team still goes good vs. good. He feels this work has prepared his offensive line to have success in the opener on Saturday. However, Golesh feels the Bears do some good things on defense that could create issues for the Tiger’s offensive attack.
“This group that is one experienced but two creates a lot of issues for you purely with the ability to pass rush. It’s a bigger group up front. These edge guys that we are about to see are twitchy…this is a scheme that on third down creates a lot of issues for you.”
Gordon knows week one will present some adversity. He feels that will only make his guys up front stronger as the season progresses. That is one advantage of playing a quality opponent in the first game.
“The more adversity that we went through in fall camp, the tighter that group got. I think that’s a tribute to them they never at one point starting dividing up and going in different directions,” Gordon said.
Last year, Auburn rushed for 307 yards against Baylor’s defense. The Bears have since made a change at defensive coordinator, bringing in Joe Klanderman. If the Tigers can duplicate that effort on Saturday afternoon, it will likely mean that the offensive line has passed its first test with flying colors.
Auburn Undercover is an independent Auburn sports media company covering Auburn athletics, recruiting and insider news.
