No pressure Auburn, just protect a late lead

SURPRISED CBS’s Gary Danielson, among the more observant football analysts, didn’t make an issue of it, but Auburn, a huge underdog to Alabama on Saturday, lost because it chose to protect a fourth-quarter, 10-0 lead with a looser defense, so often the preface to preventing victory.

’Bama QB Bryce Young, who previously had no time to throw, suddenly had all the time in the world. ’Bama had been stuck in clueless until Auburn solved the mystery by allowing the favorites 20-25yard catches against a suddenly minimal pass rush, abandoning a defense that had rendered ’Bama static.

Such unlearned lessons had been seen dozens of times before. They’re the equivalent of MLB mangers removing effective pitchers until they find the one to blow the game.