Auburn 2015 Preview: Is this the Tigers’ year?
After starting the season 5-0, a lot of was expected of Auburn when they went to Mississippi State. After losing 38-23, it was obvious that something was missing from Gus Malzahn’s team….a good defense. And for the rest of the season, the defense rotted, basically mailing it in against Georgia and Alabama. Of course, Ohio State will thank Auburn for exposing the Crimson Tide’s weak secondary (they did the same thing a few weeks later), but this team was a real disappointment, culminating in a 34-31 loss to coach-less Wisconsin.
THE OFF-SEASON
Auburn made the biggest splash of the off-season in hiring defensive co-ordinator Will Muschamp, who had been fired at Florida as the Gators’ head coach. Muschamp was an excellent DC at Auburn and Texas, but a terrible head coach. Muschamp came in and recruited DE Byron Cowart and four 4-star linebackers, and on the offensive side there was a lot of excitement about Jovon Robinson, who people are talking about as the new Tre Mason.
Oh, and the team lost Elijah Daniel, who was busted on theft and burglarly charges and summarily dismissed.
ANYWAY…..ABOUT THE NEW QB
Now Nick Marshall’s gone, a lot is expected of QB Jeremy Johnson. Some people – mostly hopeful ‘Burners – have tabbed him as a Heisman contender, but someone brought it up on a podcast: “If he couldn’t beat Nick Marshall to the QB’s job last year is he really that great?” Time will tell. Johnson certainly impressed at preseason scrimmages, and his 6-5, 225lb frame indicates that he could be put in the Cam Newton role. Which for Auburn fans, means that he’ll be the next Cam Newton and automatically win them the National Title.
AUBURN’S BEAST IS THE RUNNING GAME…..
We love Roc Thomas, Auburn’s starting running back, who ran for 214 yards and 2 TDs on 43 attempts, and also had 6 catches for 27. He also caught three kick-offs for 43 yards. Thomas is small and pretty elusive, which is going to bode well if Auburn’s offensive line does its job.
But with Thomas is the most exciting prospect of them all in Jovon Robinson, the No.1-ranked Junior College RB. This is a return to the Plains for him after originally signing for the Tigers in 2012 but not being able to make it due to academic issues. He’s a good pass catcher, has great speed, and will be a lot of fun to watch with Thomas and Peyton Barber, who’s the No.3 RB.
D’HAQ OR SHAQ?
We love D’Haquille Williams’ hops an awful lot. On his day, he’s the best pass catcher in the SEC, and maybe college football. Yes, he’s that good. The problem’s going to be his discipline. He was suspended during practice for six days for ‘discipline’, which can mean anything from drinking too hard to being an a**hole. But anyway, the 6-2, 224lb Williams caught had 730 yards for 5 TDs, averaging a pretty 16.2 yards per reception. Auburn fans will take that all day long.
AND NOW TO THE DEFENSE…
The Tigers were 64th in total yards/allowed, 67th in rush defense, and 68th in pass defense. All those were recipies for former DC Ellis Johnson getting booted. And it was deserved.
This year, with Muschamp, we’re looking for a much more aggressive defense. As our friends at SaturdayEdge.com say: “One of the areas we will see a lot of improvement is getting to the quarterback,” adding that the return of 6-2, 260lb pass-rushing defensive linesman Carl Lawson from a season-long injury will help with the sack counts (only 21 last year). Cowart will probably start at defensive end, which could be a frightening prospect for passing offenses. And in a world where SEC teams are struggling for good QBs, the Tigers could make hay.
The secondary has had some huge losses, with five of them going in the off-season via the draft or simply walking out. A lot will be expected of Tray Matthews – who used to play for Georgia – and Rudy Ford. But as we said, the Tigers are helped by the fact that they aren’t going to be facing great quality QBs in 2015.
THE SCHEDULE
Like anyone in the SEC West, it’s a brutal schedule, and the powers-that-be added to it by scheduling a monster Opening Day match-up with Bobby Petrino’s Louisville in the ATL. Their tough away trips at LSU, Arkansas and Texas A&M, while they welcome Ole Miss, Georgia and Alabama to Jordan-Hare.
For us, it’s all going to come down to The Iron Bowl against Alabama, which will see the SEC West, the State of Alabama and a place in the College Football Play-Off played for.
Saturday Edge thinks Auburn will win over 8.5 games, which we think is a little low. What do you think?
Sep. 5 – Louisville @Atlanta, GA
Sep. 12 – Jacksonville State
Sep. 19 – at Louisiana State
Sep. 26 – Mississippi State
Oct. 3 – San Jose State
Oct. 15 – at Kentucky
Oct. 24 – at Arkansas
Oct. 31 – Ole Miss
Nov. 7 – at Texas A&M
Nov. 14 – Georgia
Nov. 21 – Idaho
Nov. 28 – Alabama
PREDICTION: Auburn will run the table in the SEC, and go to the SEC Championship Game. Thanks to a reignited defense and an offense that can at times be unstoppable, there’s no reason why they can’t be the best team in the SEC.