As we continue through the west in our 2014 SEC Football Preview we take a look at the defending SEC Champion Auburn Tigers. What an amazing ride Auburn fans went on last year as the Tigers went from winless in the SEC in 2012 to winners of the SEC in 2013. Can they repeat as conference champs in 2014? Let’s dive in and see what we think.
The Story
I thought Auburn would be much improved in Gus Malzahns first year as head coach, but I doubt anyone other than Auburn loyalist thought they could be SEC Champions and go on to play in the National Championship game. Well, that’s exactly what they did behind a first year head coach and the arm of a former defensive back. Now Auburn finds itself in position to make another run at SEC Champs with a ton of talent returning. Nick Marshall returns and looks ready to take the next step with his passing game. It’s a bit disconcerting that he is currently awaiting his punishment for being caught with Marijuana. There were no charges against him so I doubt the penalty is too severe. Hopefully, Marshall will learn something from all this. At Running back, Tre Mason and his 1,816 yards rushing are gone to the NFL but there is no shortage of talent ready to step up. Corey Grant and his gaudy 9.8 yards per carry could fill those shoes nicely. Then there is Cameron Artis-Payne who like Grant, rushed for over 600 yards and scored 6 TD’s of his own in 2013. Running back will not be a problem. Neither will Wide Receiver where Auburn returns freakish athlete Sammie Coates and gains a new weapon in juco transfer D’haquille Williams. Williams is a very talented receiver who could be all conference in his first season at Auburn. On defense losing Dee Ford and possibly Carl Lawson leaves the Tigers without a true battle tested pass rusher, but the rest of the defense looks in good shape. There are leaders the likes of DE Gabe Wright and S Jermaine Whitehead who will keep the Auburn Defense on its toes.
What Needs To Happen
First and foremost Auburn will need a little bit of last years magic to be left over. The Tigers were in some close calls throughout last season and it wont get any easier in 2014. The offense should be just fine. On the defensive side Defensive Coordinator Ellis Johnson will have to get creative and find other ways to rush the quarterback with the services of guys like Robenson Therezie and Cassanova McKinzy. Guys like Jonathan Mincy and Jermain Whitehead will have to step up their game even more in the secondary as a result.
Outlook
Let’s get straight to the point. Auburn has what it takes to repeat in 2014. The offense will be something to behold but the defense will have trials. Even still, with an offense like Auburn’s your defense doesn’t have to be perfect and they have enough talent to be good by the time they hit the meat of their schedule. It is the schedule that Auburn should fear the most. It’s a gauntlet of the SEC West teams plus Georgia and South Carolina from the East. Only Samford falls in to break things up before the Iron Bowl. There’s a loss or two in there somewhere, but what does that mean for Auburn in 2014? It means that the Iron Bowl could once again be very important come late November. What a game that is going to be! I can’t wait!
More SEC Football Previews:
SEC East SEC West
Florida Gators Alabama Crimson Tide
Georgia Bulldogs Arkansas Razorbacks
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Feature photo courtesy of: cjosof Flickr
StuShoemake
Stu Shoemake is a lover of Jesus, a husband, a father to two boys, an outdoor enthusiast and the epitome of the word fanatic when it comes to sports. Born with a tomahawk in one hand and a cowbell in the other, he is armed with a plethora of knowledge concerning Baseball and College Sports. But the Atlanta Braves and Mississippi State Bulldogs are his weapons of choice. Kneeling down to rub some dirt between his hands before the game, you won’t catch Stu chanting SEC after a nonconference win but a Braveheart or Tombstone quote are sure to be heard. “I’m your huckleberry. That’s just my game”
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