AUBURN, AL (EETV) -- Not every team can go undefeated, especially when a team plays three top-25 games away from home in their first six games.
The last time Auburn went to Gainesville was in 2007 when kicker Wes Byrum kicked a walk-off field goal to beat the Urban Meyer and Tim Tebow lead Florida Gators.
Oh how things have changed, Florida won by putting the hammer down against the Auburn offense. Auburn still had their opportunity to comeback and add another story to this renewed rivalry.
However, stories are told by the victors, and Florida is now in position for a playoff run.
Let's take a look at some of the key takeaways from Auburn's 24-13 loss to Florida:
1. Turnovers
When a defense forces four turnovers and one fourth-down stop, fans would expect for their team to win. Except Auburn had four turnovers of their own and could not convert the lone fourth-down attempt they had.
The Tigers defense kept Auburn in the game, but Bo Nix could not get into a rhythm. Nix threw three interceptions including one in the end zone that crushed the morale of Auburn.
(You can search the GIF of Gus Malzahn putting his head in lap after Nix threw that interception for reference).
The other turnover was caused by cornerback/punt returner Christian Tutt. On a catchable punt, he pointed at the ball for everyone to move away instead of moving away himself.
Tutt let the ball bounce between his legs, touching him in the process. Florida would recover and then fumble on the same drive.
Ball security with the running backs was not an issue this week but Nix's decision making is an issue that needs work.
2. Bo Nix shows he is still a Freshman
The environment at Texas A&M did not rattle this star in the making, but the Swamp did. There were multiple occasions where Nix took at least 15 seconds to yell the audibles because the crowd was so deafening.
The three interceptions thrown by Nix were forced throws into double coverage. He finished with his worst stat line of the season: 11-of-27, 145 passing yards, one touchdown and three interceptions.
For the first time this season, Nix looked lost. The pressure of the Gators defensive line coupled with the inaccuracy of Nix will warrant some concern.
After Nix's Quarterback rating of 99.5 last week against Mississippi State (the highest out of any quarterback this season), he followed up that performance with 6.6 QBR (the ninth worst out of any quarterback this season).
He has the potential to be special and after an outing like this, Nix can only go up from here.
3. Third down non-conversions
Auburn was 2-of-14 (14.29 percent) on third downs and 0-for-1 on fourth down. This was the Tigers' worst single-game third-down performance since going 2-of-15 against Ole Miss in 2015.
Auburn ran the ball six times on third down, only converting one in the process. The play calling on third and short was alarming, with multiple run-up-the-middle calls.
Florida was ready for the run each time, while no adjustments were made.
The offensive line could not a push on the Gators defensive line. An offensive line that features fives starting seniors and looked to improve after last year's showing.
Nix was 2-of-7 on third-down attempts with only one of those seven passes resulting in a first down.
4. Up next
Auburn goes into next weekend with a bye week as the road does not get any easier from here. The Tigers go on the road against Arkansas after the bye week, then head to Baton Rouge to face the LSU Tigers.
