Auburn seeking right offensive mix

AUBURN, Ala. - First, Auburn passed too much. Then, the Tigers ran too much.

The switchover from one offensive extreme to another was more of a two-game blip than the Tigers' formula for success this season.

Offensive coordinator Al Borges is hoping the Tigers (1-1) find a more equitable mix starting Saturday when Ball State (0-2) visits Jordan-Hare Stadium.

"At the end of the day, we are going to win games here with balance," Borges said. "That is how we are going to win them. Forty-four passes is too many. Eighteen is not enough.

"If we are going to win in the SEC, we are going to have to find a delicate balance."

The Tigers have been feeling their way somewhat offensively, learning what new quarterback Brandon Cox and a four-man tailback crew can handle.

Too much passing against Georgia Tech resulted in four interceptions and a loss. Too much running against Mississippi State didn't hurt much in a 28-0 win but the Tigers piled up the carries not the yards.

Coach Tommy Tuberville said that second-game mix wasn't so much a strategy for winning the game as it was challenging his offense to be able to run the ball even when that's exactly what the defense is gearing up to defend.

Tailback Tre Smith is doubtful for the Ball State game with a knee injury, which could clear up the quandary of how to split up the carries somewhat for a week, at least. Smith, Kenny Irons, Carl Stewart and Brad Lester all have been vying for playing time, creating a logjam Auburn coaches are hoping to clear up.

"The things are there for us to have a good running game," Tuberville said.

Cox thinks the ground game will eventually start clicking.

"I think it's just a matter of time before we break out and have a heck of a running game," he said. "Once we do that, then it's all downhill from there."

The Tigers' passing attack has shown flashes of potential, too. Cox is the first Auburn quarterback to throw for more than 200 years in a season's first two games since Dameyune Craig in 1997. Through two games, he ranks third in the SEC with a 272-yard average per game.

That's an indication that the Tigers' offense is out-of-balance since Southeastern Conference offensive player of the year Jason Campbell averaged only 208 yards passing last season.

Sharing the load with the runners against Mississippi State was a relief for Cox after a rocky first start.

"The Georgia Tech game, we were throwing the ball a lot and I was the one having to make the plays," he said. "I wasn't able to do it. We wanted to work on our running game and get that going.

"Once we get the running game going and more balance on offense, we're going to be able to have a better offense."

The flip-flopping offense has meant that Auburn doesn't have either a receiver or runner among the league's top 10.

It's yet another example of how different the early 2005 version of Auburn's offense has been from last year's group, when tailbacks Carnell Williams and Ronnie Brown were both among the SEC's top rushers.

"Last week, we did a big thing on rushing," Stewart said. "Now, we have to become a more balanced offense. We're going to get everything into a groove and get momentum going through the season."