SEC West Preview – Auburn Tigers

We continue our 2015 SEC previews with the team that finished fourth in the SEC West last season, the Auburn Tigers.

The Tigers are looking to rebound from last year's disappointing season, going 8-5 and 4-4 in conference, eventually losing to the Wisconsin Badgers in a disappointing Outback Bowl performance, 34-31. Head coach Gus Malzahn is entering his third season, and has essentially built his prototypical team, only with the exception of a sure-fire dual-threat quarterback. He was able to snag defensive coordinator Will Muschamp after he was fired from his head coaching duties in Gaineville, so look for Auburn's defense to be better this year (a squad that ranked 66th in total defense last season).

Offense

This is a team that is coached by Gus Malzahn, so offense isn't going to be an issue for Auburn this year. Yeah, sure, Jeremy Johnson will be taking snaps this fall, and he isn't exactly a dual-threat guy, but that won't stop this offense from putting up some gaudy numbers. He has a big league arm, and has the luxury of throwing to some great talent out wide. Receiver Sammie Coates has left for the NFL and will be catching passes from Ben Roethlisberger in Pittsburgh this year, but big time senior receiver Duke Johnson is returning, and he's already got NFL scouts' attention. Along with Williams outside will be fellow senior speedster Ricardo Louis, best known for his miraculous Hail Mary catch against the Georgia Bulldogs two seasons ago.

Malzahn loves to run the ball, and Cameron Artis-Payne won't be doing it for him this season. However, sophomore Roc Thomas will be carrying the rock this season for the Tigers (pun definitely intended), and keep an eye on Jovon Robinson, the top ranked JUCO running back last year. He is a 6'0" 230 lb bruiser, so he isn't the ideal back that Malzahn likes, but Robinson possesses deceptive top end speed and acceleration, so I think he'll fit in just fine.

The offensive line for the Tigers lost two of their five starters from last season, including Rimington Award winning center Reese Dismukes and right guard Chad Slade, but return the entire left side of the line, with junior Shon Coleman at left tackle. We should keep an eye on whether or not Malzahn adjusts the way his linemen play, since there has been speculation and talk during this offseason over the often loose interpretation of the ineligible receiver downfield rule, as many option teams such as Auburn are sometimes caught with having offensive linemen further than three yards downfield on passing plays.

Defense

Defense has been a thorn in the side of Gus Malzahn's teams at Auburn, but when you can out score teams, defense really only needs to produce turnovers and get a couple stops here and there. However, the core area of a great defense is its defensive line, and Auburn has as talented a defensive line as there is in college football. Junior Montravius Adams will be holding down the fort in the middle, and he has All-Everything Carl Lawson, who missed last season due to an ACL injury. In short, trying to run into the teeth of this defense might not be the best idea.

The Tigers' linebackers have had talent in that level for a few years now, but for some reason they haven't been able to produce at the level that they should be capable, but they won't lack for experience this season. Senior Cassanova McKenzie will lead this group in the middle against the loaded SEC West, and attempt to improve upon last year's 69th ranked rush defense. Also seniors Kris Frost, Anthony Swain, and Justin Garrett will add experience and leadership to the center defensive group. Along with the coaching from Will Muschamp, it's extremely difficult to see this unit taking a step back from last season.

It's a weak point for a lot of SEC teams, but secondary play in Auburn, AL has been absolutely horrendous over the past few years. They haven't been able to cover pie with Saran Wrap in over eight years (gotta credit my dad for that one. He's an Auburn fan, too). Losing the athletic ability and experience of Jonathan Mincy is going to hurt the Tigers, but looking at the bright side, they should be loaded with upperclassmen. Seniors Jonathan Jones and Joshua Holsey will hold down one corner and the free safety position, respectively, and juniors Jonathan Ford and T.J. Davis should fill out the rest of the secondary, but watch out for star linebacker-turned-defensive back Nick Ruffin. The sophomore may not have much experience at the collegiate level playing defensive back, but with his experience on the defensive line, he could be the most physical defensive back in the conference this season.

Special Teams

Auburn lost one of the best pure athletes in the SEC last year in Quan Bray, not to mention one of the most slippery players in Corey Grant. But that team is filled with enough athletic ability to overcome any loss like that on kickoff and punt return duties.

Daniel Carlson, barring something drastic, will handle all kicking assignments for the Tigers: punting, place kicking, and kickoffs. Is he the best in the country at any of those? Nope, but he's serviceable enough to do what Malzahn needs him to do.

McMoney's Prediction

This is definitely not an easy schedule by any stretch of the imagination. First off, they play in the SEC West. 'Nuff said. But they also open up the season with a tough Louisville squad, and open up their conference schedule with a trip to Death Valley. Judging by the rest of the schedule (they get Georgia and Alabama at home, but have to travel to Texas A&M and Arkansas), I can't see this team winning more than 9 games, and given the difficulties they've had on defense recently, plus taking into consideration the new chemistry that needs to be built with a new defensive coordinator, I'll be more confident predicting them to go 8-4.

So I'll go with 8-4.