Grading Auburn Football's Performance Against Southern Miss

September 13, 2026 - 04:57

Auburn football took care of business against Southern Miss, and the report card reflects a mostly positive outing with a few areas still needing work.

Offense: B+

The Tigers moved the ball consistently and found the end zone when it mattered. The run game anchored the attack, opening up play action and keeping the defense honest. Quarterback play was efficient, though a couple of stalled drives in the red zone kept this from being a top mark. Protecting the football remains a strength.

Defense: A-

Southern Miss struggled to establish any rhythm. Auburn's front seven controlled the line of scrimmage, generated pressure, and limited explosive plays. The secondary communicated well and tackled in space. A few missed assignments late in the game prevented a perfect grade, but the unit set the tone early.

Special Teams: B

Coverage units were solid, and the kicking game delivered when called upon. Returns were steady but not spectacular. No costly mistakes, which is exactly what coaches want from this phase.

MVP: The Running Back Room

Auburn's backs carried the load, churning out tough yards and breaking off chunk plays. Their balance between power and patience gave the offense its identity.

a convincing win with clear building blocks for the weeks ahead.