We've discussed this. Auburn's offensive coaching staff spent the last offseason planning for an NFL-caliber quarterback throwing to a multitude of senior receivers and handing off to two former five-star running backs. Then the rug was pulled out from under them. The quarterback's confidence is shot, none of the receivers can "take the top off" a defense (and one is no longer on the team), and the top two backs can't stay healthy and haven't seen the field much if at all.
As soon as game 1, Gus Malzahn had to turn to sophomore Peyton Barber to carry the ball.