Film Room: A closer look at Auburn's rushing struggles so far in SEC play

The Tigers wanted to have a strong, downhill rushing attack in 2021. But that hasn't happened against the first three conference opponents.

RB Tank Bigsby (Todd Van Emst/Auburn Athletics)

Heading into the 2021 season, the Auburn offense had plenty of question marks. Most of them centered on the passing game — the progress of Bo Nix in a new scheme, the play of a very inexperienced wide receiver room, the protection concerns along the front five.

But the pairing of leadership — head coach Bryan Harsin and offensive coordinator Mike Bobo — and personnel with the rushing attack looked promising. Tank Bigsby was being talked about as one of the best running backs in college football after a phenomenal freshman season. Harsin had history with strong ground games, and Bobo spent the offseason preaching the importance of power between the tackles.

The start of the 2021 season followed through that preseason belief. Auburn rushed for 300-plus yards in back-to-back blowouts, averaging more than 9 yards per carry in both games. Freshman Jarquez Hunter, who led the nation in rushing average at one point, looked like a revelation behind…