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Gus Malzahn Addresses Starting QB, Running Backs, Injuries, Offensive Struggles

Gus Malzahn met with the media for his weekly press conference. See what he had to say! All credit, as always, to the beat writers who were there. They'll have much more information in their recaps than just what I can put in these tweet-caps.

John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

I think it's a no-brainer that Sean White was going to get the start this weekend. I think he played very well in his first outing as QB. Hopefully they can find a way to open up the deep ball this week. I still think that's an issue that extends to the wide receivers and not just the quarterback, though.

Peyton Barber is the starter at running back, which should also be obvious. He's topped 100 yards in all but the LSU game, where he inexplicably only got 8 touches. Barber is a pounder who gets yards.

The Ricardo Louis stuff was mentioned elsewhere, but I was wondering about it Saturday night. Hopefully he can get healthy, quickly. Louis has been the best receiver so far and is the only real deep threat we have, right now. I'm still hoping to see Smith or Truitt step up on the speed sweep role so that Louis can go deep more often. Or maybe it needs to be the other way around. Either way, we need SOMEONE who can take the top off the defense.

The substitutions have definitely killed the pace. I've said it in the comments to a few articles, but they're killing more than just that. The constant need to swap pass catching WRs and run blocking WRs is tipping the hand on the play call, too. The fact that we're still able to gain ground is a testament to Barber and others.

Hopefully this week and then the off week allow the team to get the offense back on track. There's still time to put together a really good season if everything starts working right. I'm not going to hold my breath on that happening, but it could.

Now To The Tweets

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Gus Malzahn said he felt like Sean White gave the offense a spark last week and will start this week. &quot;I really feel like he&#39;s earned that.&quot;</p>&mdash; Jason Caldwell (@ITATJason) <a href="https://twitter.com/ITATJason/status/648894998101032961">September 29, 2015</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Auburn&#39;s Gus Malzahn on quarterback Sean White: &quot;There are a lot of things he can build upon. I think he&#39;ll get nothing but better.&quot;</p>&mdash; Auburn Gold Mine (@AUGoldMine) <a href="https://twitter.com/AUGoldMine/status/648895585760710656">September 29, 2015</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Would Malzahn like to play Jeremy Johnson too?: &quot;Sean White&#39;s our quarterback this week, just like he was last week.&quot;</p>&mdash; John Zenor (@jzenor) <a href="https://twitter.com/jzenor/status/648895656204070913">September 29, 2015</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/FootballAU">@FootballAU</a> coach Gus Malzahn &quot;we need to be a little more creative&quot; to get WRs open</p>&mdash; WarEagleExtra (@wareagleextra) <a href="https://twitter.com/wareagleextra/status/648896483064983552">September 29, 2015</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Malzahn: Ricardo Louis has been &quot;banged up&quot; a few weeks.</p>&mdash; John Zenor (@jzenor) <a href="https://twitter.com/jzenor/status/648896784329256960">September 29, 2015</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/FootballAU">@FootballAU</a> coach Gus Malzahn &quot;achilles heel&quot; this year is lack of explosive plays</p>&mdash; WarEagleExtra (@wareagleextra) <a href="https://twitter.com/wareagleextra/status/648897288153247744">September 29, 2015</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-cards="hidden" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Malzahn reiterates the strength of offense is running the ball&#10;<a href="http://t.co/FTkoF4GKjb">http://t.co/FTkoF4GKjb</a></p>&mdash; James Crepea (@JamesCrepea) <a href="https://twitter.com/JamesCrepea/status/648897343115403265">September 29, 2015</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/FootballAU">@FootballAU</a> coach Gus Malzahn probably substituted more this year than previous years, slowing offense down</p>&mdash; WarEagleExtra (@wareagleextra) <a href="https://twitter.com/wareagleextra/status/648897943911723008">September 29, 2015</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Malzahn says the running back situation is starting to become a little more clear. Says Peyton Barber is going to start</p>&mdash; Jason Caldwell (@ITATJason) <a href="https://twitter.com/ITATJason/status/648897673823715328">September 29, 2015</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/FootballAU">@FootballAU</a> coach Gus Malzahn probably substituted more this year than previous years, slowing offense down</p>&mdash; WarEagleExtra (@wareagleextra) <a href="https://twitter.com/wareagleextra/status/648897943911723008">September 29, 2015</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/FootballAU">@FootballAU</a> coach Gus Malzahn Roc Thomas should be ready to go, Jovon Robinson&#39;s ankle still bothering him</p>&mdash; WarEagleExtra (@wareagleextra) <a href="https://twitter.com/wareagleextra/status/648898459681034240">September 29, 2015</a></blockquote>

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