Questionable play-calling has been a recurring theme during Auburn's two losses this season, both on the road against Clemson in Week 2 and then again Saturday against LSU.

Auburn squandered a 20-point lead in Death Valley over the weekend, falling to LSU 27-23 for the team's ninth consecutive loss in Tiger Stadium. Auburn had success on the ground early on, rushing for 69 yards in the first quarter, but the offense turned predictable, calling 17 consecutive first-down runs -- including 13 in a row after taking a 20-0 lead.

While play-calling was a hot topic after the game, Auburn's players didn't question the gameplan, saying that the offensive woes after the fast start came down to execution. However, there's more to the offense's issues during Saturday's collapse than just, as Jarrett Stidham revealed a key point of interest on Sunday: Auburn's starting quarterback doesn't have the power to audible out a given called play -- such as out of a run call and into a pass when the opposing defense brings an extra defender into the box, as LSU did Saturday.

"That's something just to look at and talk to coach (Chip) Lindsey about," Stidham said. "I'm just doing what I'm told to do and I'm trying to execute at a high level. That's really what it comes down to, just trying to execute the called play."

After Auburn staked a 17-0 lead in the first quarter behind a strong run game, LSU adjusted accordingly, bringing a safety into the box to try to counter Kerryon Johnson's effectiveness.

"After the first quarter, they played a little bit more walk an extra guy down into the box and playing a little bit more man," Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said. "They were mixing it up."

While LSU made the necessary in-game adjustments on defense, Auburn's coaching staff didn't. Auburn's offense reverted to past tendencies and became more conservative after jumping out to the big lead. After going ahead 20-0 early in the second quarter, Auburn called 13 straight first-down runs and totaled 49 yards on those plays as the offense stalled out.

That came back to bite Auburn, which totaled just 64 yards in the second half and did not score after halftime -- following its best first half ever in Death Valley with one of its worst.

"We just kind of stuck to the game plan," wide receiver Ryan Davis said. "The run game was doing well in the first half, and we were trying to stick to that going to the second half."

Tom Green is an Auburn beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Tomas_Verde.