2021 Citrus Bowl first half analysis: Northwestern 14, Auburn 6

It has been mostly a rough first half for Auburn in the 2021 Citrus Bowl against Northwestern.

Well, that happened.

The end.

No, I really wanted that to be the entire analysis but Auburn has made it interesting after falling behind by 14 points early with the Tigers trailing 14-6 at halftime.

Let’s get to my thoughts:

  • 4th and 8 and you rush three men, dropping eight and a guy gets WIDE OPEN for a big gain. How is that even remotely possible?
  • Bo Nix got a little chippy at the end of that half with some trash talking to a Northwestern defensive player.  I sort of liked that.
  • ANNNNNDDDDD then he went and tried this and, no Bo. Just no.

  • I must say this once more before the season ends: this offensive line is atrocious. It is comically bad. How bad would they have been with actual crowd noise this season?
  • It’s amazing how different I look at Kevin Steele after all the news broke of how he was basically throwing a coup. He went from lovable granddad who can coach to evil Bond villain in a matter of weeks.
  • Speaking of, Cole Cubelic reported the obvious but it needed to be said that Steele will not be on Bryan Harsin’s staff. With all the back-stabbing, Steele should consider politics.
  • What is Harsin thinking watching this unfold before his eyes? He has to be a little bit concerned about the talent he has been handed. The transfer portal will be huge.
  • I mentioned how before the 2006 Citrus Bowl (it was the Capital One Bowl back then) that while tailgating beside the big lake outside the stadium, cops and ambulances pulled up and drug a dead body out of the water. I found my friend’s pic of that very moment.

  • Interestingly enough, Auburn would come out and play dead for that entire game in an upset loss.
  • I wonder if Bo Nix wears an Apple Watch during games because I would like to see how many steps he gets in just from escaping pressure on every pass play.
  • Auburn’s defense played much better after the two touchdowns so credit is due there.
  • Pat Fitzgerald’s legs have not seen the sun since August, it seems.

  • Ummmm ….. I think that is all I have. Did you have a great New Year’s Eve? I did.