Jason Caldwell's Monday Morning quarterback column

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Jason Caldwell's Monday Morning quarterback column

ByJason Caldwell

4-5 minutes

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Huge Opportunity Ahead

With a third Top 10 opponent on the schedule this week against Ole Miss and No. 3 Alabama still remaining along with No. 15 Texas A&M, Coach Bryan Harsin and the Auburn Tigers have plenty of opportunities to make a serious run in his first year on the job. Already with a win over a ranked Arkansas team, Auburn could make big noise with a few more Top 25 wins in games that will get plenty of attention around the country.

That’s exactly what Harsin and the program needs at the moment with several big-time prospects continuing to watch what the team and staff are doing on the field. Building relationships is a big deal and something that is vitally important. Auburn is doing that. Now it’s about showing them what you’re telling them is a reality. There’s no better selling point than going out on Saturday and winning games.

I did a few calculations about potential additions for the class the rest of the way in 2022. With just four players added, guys the Tigers have got a serious chance to land, Auburn would move all the way to the No. 12 class in the country. That’s how close this class is to being much, much better than people realize.

Auburn has already added help on the offensive line, but more is needed. The same is true on the defensive line, linebacker and at wide receiver. Adding one significant player each in of those four spots and just like that the Tigers are rolling on the recruiting trail. 

If you do that it opens up the door for more prospects as well. That’s just how it works. Now is the time for Auburn to strike and continue the momentum. That starts with Saturday’s game against Ole Miss at home.

Around The World Of College Football

Nothing has changed my mind that Georgia is the best team in the country, but this Alabama offense is starting to roll and one of the reasons why is on third down. The Tide has converted 27-36 third downs the last two games. That’s next level football and makes it very, very difficult to stop a team like that unless it turns the ball over. I still think the defense has some issues which could cause problems, but they are playing well after the hiccup at Texas A&M.

The team that everyone forgot about has quietly put itself in a position to be back in the playoff hunt at the end of the year. Currently 6-1, Oregon’s only real test the rest of the way is a game at Utah. Already with a win over Ohio State in Columbus, the Ducks could have one of the statement wins at the end of the year if the Buckeyes keep winning. Don’t look now but the Ducks are in a great position.

The same is true of the Buckeyes. With Penn State floundering at the moment it certainly looks like the Big 10 is Ohio State’s to lose. Michigan looks like it will have a team to challenge, but I am not sure the Wolverines can score enough points to beat the Buckeyes. As for Oklahoma, the Sooners may be undefeated at the end of the season, but they have been anything but impressive to this point. If people are going to question Cincinnati for barely beating Navy, then let’s do the same for the Sooners against Tulane and Kansas. 

17COMMENTS

As for life in the SEC, I have been impressed by what Tennessee has done offensively, but that defense is struggling and more struggles are coming as the Vols continue to play up-tempo. Already with four losses and games at Kentucky and against Georgia at home, even with the new energy around the program it looks like a 6-6 regular season for the Vols unless they pull off an upset.