⚡ CFB Dashboard

As the saying goes, the most improvement in college football happens from Week 1 to Week 2. But there's a lot more context involved. As an example, Alex Golesh's new Auburn team may have shown some flaws that looked more dire than some other programs across the country, even with a 17-16 win over Baylor in their back pocket. But they were only one of 14 Power Four teams across all of Week 1 to play another Power Four opponent.  So yes, Golesh expects things will probably look a lot cleaner this weekend against Southern Miss. But then again, he also expects things will be cleaner as the entire season goes on. "I think really good football teams get better as it goes," Golesh said "I think the level of competition has a lot to do with that, too. It's funky early in the college football season. You see it all over the place. There's some teams that are playing really good teams. There's some teams that are playing not-as good-of teams." Where the old adage is the most true, Golesh thinks, comes with game operation. Scrimmages and game-like practices are one thing, and facing another team for 60 minutes is another. Now, for the first time, Auburn was able to see what it looks like in a game — a nail-biter, no less — and adjust based on how the Tigers reacted to play calls, audibles, timeouts, etc. "Your rhythm gets better," Golesh said of Game 1 to Game 2 on a schedule. "You're more in sync. You miss less tackles. You get aligned quicker. Coaches get a better rhythm." Auburn certainly felt like there was a lot of first-game sloppiness to clean up against Baylor. Even aside from the three turnovers — all on the arm of Byrum Brown — Auburn had penalties in key spots, a missed field goal, a fumbled snap, poor "leverage" in the secondary, and a clunky fake punt, to put it kindly. Golesh owned all of that, but he's also excited to get more data and tape on this new-look roster on Saturday.  "I think you turn the film on and you're like, 'Man, that kid played better than I thought he would,'" Golesh said. "There's certain ones where you're like, 'Man, that kid didn't play as well.' That has a lot to do with it." Despite sitting at 1-0, Auburn's coaches have been sharp with their criticisms this week — and the players are plenty displeased, too. But feeling that way after a win is obviously better than the alternative, and it's allowed Golesh to continue to be an intense instructor in practice without feeling like the team is being beaten down. That's also a credit to this team's personality, he thinks.  "I think they've done a good job," Golesh said. "That's what's kind of unique about this group, especially for a Year 1 — they've always done what we've asked them to do. That's what's been fun to coach, to be honest with you. 'Tell us what to do, and we'll do it.' … In terms of being able to get coached, they've been awesome." Auburn's home opener kicks off Saturday night against Southern Miss at 6:45 p.m. on SEC Network.