I really have no answer. Maybe it’s a combination of things. I’m sure you’ve either studied some sort of disaster where some odd event wouldn’t ordinarily change anything but then a couple more odd events line up like holes in layers of Swiss cheese. We literally have a term for this in the chemical biz, called layers of protection. But I digress.
Firstly, we lost our DC, Mike Elko, to Duke to be the HC. He’s done well there. Then, we lost or S&C coach who went back to OU. He was highly regarded, lots of people bemoaned losing him. Then we lost our OL coach. Ok, whatever, lots of programs shuffle coaches yearly.
We also lost a couple of seasoned OL early to injury. We lost some really talented guys who were high draft picks. Although our OL were supposed to be talented, it’s a lot of true freshman and redshirt freshmen starting.
The QB has not really panned out with Haynes King, but the backup guy was a transfer from LSU and played decently if not spectacular. But then he breaks his hand, so now he’s out. The other QB is a true fish. 5*, but raw.
Next our star WR, Anias Smith, goes out early in the season with a season ending injury. Our top RB, Achane, goes out with an injury before the Auburn game.
No doubt the offense has been horrendous. No matter how you slice it you don’t lose games at home to a very mediocre App state. If you have to you run every down, bigger and stronger will always win no matter the scheme. Their defense isn’t all that.