Champ Anthony, Auburn Tigers defense staying positive despite offensive struggles

Auburn Tigers safety Champ Anthony (1) during warm ups before Auburn Tigers take on South Alabama Jaguars at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala. on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. | Jake Crandall/ Advertiser / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesTwo weeks ago, it felt like the Auburn Tigers' offense got a thousand times worse between the Oklahoma and Texas A&M games. Against the Aggies, quarterback Jackson Arnold and the offense converted zero third downs in the entire game, and the one touchdown scored was largely made possible by a 70+ yard return by the defense.

For a second week, head coach Hugh Freeze and his staff refused to give the ball to the running backs for some unknown reason, and…