Alex Golesh's Biggest Concern for Auburn Has Changed Before Week 1

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Alex Golesh isn't really worried about whether the Auburn Tigers are going to play hard anymore.

He's worried about whether they're mature enough to handle everything else.

That's where Auburn's concerns have shifted as the Tigers officially move out of fall camp and into preparation for the Baylor Bears.

Earlier in camp, Golesh was worried about some pretty basic football things, like physicality, finishing tackles, and ensuring full execution of whatever was needed of them heading into the play. These may seem basic, but Golesh was truly building a standard on the planes that he wants to establish as his true identity from the jump as the head coach here at Auburn. 

Now Auburn is getting closer to the season, and Golesh's biggest concern seems to have moved away from what happens between the lines.

"I don't doubt we'll go play ball," Golesh said. "I don't doubt we'll play hard."

That's significant.

Because Golesh hasn't exactly been afraid to criticize his football team throughout fall camp.

Far from it, actually, but now the challenge turns somewhat off the field. Although the definition of a college athlete has certainly changed over the past few years, school is starting, and classes are in session. Players are no longer living inside the fall camp bubble anymore, and there definitely are more distractions they will have to avoid. 

And Auburn is entering a mock game week designed to prepare the Tigers for everything that comes with an actual week during the season.

Golesh wants his players figuring out their process now.

Golesh wants his players to find their routines, such as when they watch film, when they prioritize their recovery, how they handle school classes and assignments, how they prepare their bodies for the task at hand; playing college football in the toughest conference in America. 

All of these are distractions they must eliminate to make sure they're ready when Saturday arrives in just a few weeks, when they travel to Atlanta to take on the Baylor Bears. 

Those things might not be as interesting as talking about depth charts or who Auburn's starting five offensive linemen will be against Baylor.

But they're important.

Especially for a team trying to establish an entirely new culture under a first-year head coach.

Golesh has consistently talked about Auburn becoming a process-oriented football team.

This is what that looks like.

It's easy to stay focused during fall camp when football essentially consumes the entire day, but It's harder when everything else starts happening again. It's not a problem that is exclusive only to Auburn, though. Golesh must see his team be able to prepare correctly.

That is the next step. 

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