Auburn football has plenty to fix after losing to Florida, but one number explains a massive part of what went wrong: 24 missed tackles.

That is simply not winning football.

Auburn entered this game with a defense that had earned the benefit of the doubt. Even during years when the offense struggled, the Tigers could usually count on the defense to keep games manageable and give Auburn an opportunity late.

Against Florida, that completely disappeared.

The Tigers couldn't tackle consistently, couldn't get off the field on critical downs and forced only one punt all night. Florida repeatedly faced third and long situations only to find another way to extend the drive.

That's what makes this performance so disappointing.

There will be plenty of discussion about DJ Durkin, the defensive scheme and what Auburn needs to change. But sometimes football is simpler than that. Auburn had defenders in position to make plays and didn't make them. Twenty four missed tackles can't be explained away by scheme.

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Auburn Football has some serious questions to answer after Florida walked into Jordan Hare Stadium and handed the Tigers a 44 to 39 loss in the SEC opener. The defense was bad, the offensive line struggled, Byrum Brown was inconsistent early, and Alex Golesh admitted Auburn simply was not where it needed to be.

The biggest concern coming out of this game is figuring out exactly what Auburn can consistently do well.

Florida controlled the football for nearly 40 minutes and Auburn’s defense struggled to get off the field. DJ Durkin’s unit gave up explosive runs, missed tackles, busted assignments and allowed Florida to convert critical third and fourth downs. Jadan Baugh finished with 162 rushing yards and three touchdowns as Auburn surrendered 243 rushing yards.

That is not what anyone expected from this defense.

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uburn Football vs Florida Reaction | Defense Collapses in 44-39 Loss

But scoring 39 points should have been enough to win at home.

This postgame reaction breaks down what went wrong with DJ Durkin’s defense, Auburn’s inability to stop Florida on critical downs, Brown’s performance, the offensive line concerns and what this loss means with Vanderbilt coming to Jordan Hare Stadium next.

Was this simply one terrible defensive performance, or did Florida expose bigger problems Auburn has to fix immediately?

Drop your thoughts in the comments.

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Head Coach Alex Golesh talks about the loss in the SEC Opener to Florida

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Auburn football is entering SEC play, and the matchup with the Florida Gators already feels like one of the biggest games of the season. Auburn has an opportunity to make a statement at home, but the Tigers need much more from Byrum Brown, Jeremiah Cobb and an offense that has yet to consistently put everything together.

The biggest concern heading into Auburn vs Florida is the offensive line. Auburn has struggled to create the kind of rushing attack expected from Alex Golesh’s offense, while pass protection could become an even bigger issue once the Tigers get deeper into SEC play. Brown was brought to Auburn because of his ability to create problems with both his arm and his legs. Auburn needs to start seeing more of that complete package against Florida. Brown is officially listed as Auburn’s senior quarterback after transferring from USF, where he previously played under Golesh.

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Everybody knows Byrum Brown can run the football. The question heading into Auburn vs Florida is whether the Gators are prepared for what happens if Brown starts beating them with his arm.

There may be a lot more to this Auburn offense than people realize.

Brown completed 74 percent of his passes against Baylor, and Auburn's wide receiver room still hasn't had a real opportunity to show everything it can do. The Tigers have playmakers on the outside, Brown has shown that he can deliver the football accurately, and Florida could be walking into Jordan Hare Stadium expecting an offense that is much easier to defend than it actually is.

That's what makes this SEC opener so interesting.

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Auburn football versus Florida is finally here, and one of the biggest questions heading into this SEC matchup is whether the Gators are underestimating what Byrum Brown can do through the air.

Florida may be able to slow Auburn's traditional running game. The Tigers still have questions along the offensive line, and Florida's defensive front will have an opportunity to make Auburn work for every yard. But if the Gators commit themselves to stopping Brown's legs, Auburn may have another answer.

Let Byrum Brown throw it.

Brown has shown the ability to be accurate with the football, and Auburn has enough weapons on the outside to create explosive plays. If Brown can hit those chunk plays and Auburn converts its opportunities in the red zone, the Tigers could force Florida to completely change how it approaches this matchup.

That's what makes Brown such an interesting red zone weapon.

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Auburn football is preparing for Florida, and the Gators may already have a pretty clear idea of what they need to do against Byrum Brown: take away his legs and force him to beat them through the air.

Can Florida actually pull it off?

Brown's ability to create with his legs changes everything for Auburn's offense. If Florida can keep him inside the pocket, limit Auburn's quarterback run game and force Brown to throw the football repeatedly, the Gators believe that could swing this matchup in their direction.

But that's far from the only battle that could decide Auburn vs Florida.

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Florida football is coming into Jordan Hare Stadium with confidence, but Auburn is about to give the Gators something they haven't experienced yet this season.

A real test.

Florida has opened the season against Florida Atlantic and Campbell. The Gators handled the opponents placed in front of them and showed plenty of encouraging signs, but there are still major questions about exactly what this team will look like against SEC competition.

Auburn has already been tested.

The Tigers went on the road against Baylor, found themselves in a competitive football game and had to battle through the fourth quarter. Regardless of what anyone ultimately thinks Baylor becomes this season, there is value in experiencing adversity and finding a way to win.

Florida hasn't had to do that yet.

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