Preseason Capsule;
Auburn University
By bamafan4ever
Game 12 (November 29th, 2008)
Bryant-Denny Stadium (92,138)
Tuscaloosa, AL.
Time: TBA
2007 Result: Auburn 17 Alabama 10
Quick Hits:
2007 record: 9-4
Peach Bowl: Auburn 23 Clemson 20
Head Coach: Tommy Tuberville, 10th season, 80-33 (105-53 overall)
Offensive coordinator: Tony Franklin, 1st full season
Defensive Coordinator: Paul Rhoads, 1st season
Key Starters Returning
Kodi Burns QB SO (Attempts 26, Completions 10, 145 yards, 2 TD’s, 1 Int.)
Ben Tate RB JR (Attempts 202, Yards 903, 8 TD’s, Avg. 4.5 yards per carry)
Brad Lester RB SR (Attempts 125, Yards 530, 3 TD’s, Avg. 4.2 yards per carry)
Tommy Tuberville/courtesy of 3rdsaturdayinblogtober
Preview
The Auburn Tigers introduce new offensive and defensive coordinators every two years on average and right on cue, in his 10th season, Coach Tuberville will introduce new coordinators, his 5th set, for the 2008 season. Al Borges and his West Coast offensive philosophy were shown the door before last season’s Peach Bowl. Enter Tony Franklin and his spread offensive attack. Franklin unveiled his high power offense on a limited basis against Clemson in that Peach Bowl and managed to rack up an impressive 423 yards against the other Tigers. Not bad for a team that had trouble moving the football all season long finishing 97th in total offense a season ago. This did nothing to quell the expectations of Auburn fans who have many reasons to be excited about the 2008 Auburn Tigers. Gone from the defensive coaching staff is Will Muschamp, who left Auburn for an opportunity to coach in Austin for the Texas Longhorns. In his place, Paul Rhoads from Pittsburgh University will lead an Auburn defensive squad that finished in the top half of the SEC in most categories. Rhoads had his Pittsburgh Panthers performing at a high level last season and finished the season by shutting down the powerful West Virginia offensive attack.
Tony Franklin/courtesy of scout.com
Offense
There is no doubt that Auburn will run a spread offense under Tony Franklin. What is not certain is who the starting quarter back will be when the Tigers face Louisiana-Monroe. All indications are it will be a “two-headed monster” at QB with both Kodi Burns and JUCO transfer Chris Todd contributing in a large way. Many feel Burns was not utilized to his full potential under the old regime and there may be some validity to that argument. Behind Brandon Cox last season, Burns was called on mostly to be a running QB. Under the coaching of Franklin in the Peach Bowl, Burns threw for a touchdown and legged out a touchdown against Clemson to win the game in OT for Auburn. He has also shown improvements in his game play in both spring and fall practices. So, where does Chris Todd fit in the picture? Chris Todd was actually a QB phenom out of the Bluegrass State that was recruited and signed by Mike Leach at Texas Tech. Todd threw for 3,180 yards as a high school senior for Elizabethtown High where, ironically, Tony Franklin served as an offensive consultant. As always, Auburn will feature a stable of running backs that are more than capable of operating out of any offensive set. Although Auburn’s last fall scrimmage was closed to the press and public, it was reported that Tate dazzled team mates and coaches with an approximately 65 yard touchdown run. Brad Lester will look to make a larger contribution in 2008 after missing the first 5 games of last season due to academic issues. Mario Fannin is back for his second season with the Tigers and has the capability of providing some electricity to the backfield as long as he can hold on to the ball (see the South Florida game from last year). Montez Billings is Auburn’s top returning wide receiver from last season and will obviously play a much larger role in the spread attack. James Swinton has also emerged as a top-notch receiver during fall practices after being overlooked his first three years on the Plains. On the offensive line, the Tigers return all five starters from last season. The unit showed steady improvement all season in 2007 culminating with an impressive performance in its win against Clemson in the Peach Bowl.
Paul Rhoads/courtesy of scout.com
Defense
With the graduation of defensive star Quentin Groves, Auburn will look to Antonio Coleman to provide leadership in the front seven. Coleman provided the Tigers 18 tackles for a loss last year. The buzz during fall camp has been about DE Michael Goggans, who has impressed his coaches with his non-stop motor. Behind Goggans, the depth chart is practically nothing and that has forced the Tigers to call upon newly-converted TE Gabe McKenzie to slot in behind Goggans on the depth chart. If there is a weakness on this Auburn team, it very well may be its depth on defense. JUCO transfer Raven Gray was expected to make a huge contribution this season for the Tigers but will now redshirt due to surgery to repair a torn ACL. Alabama will not be the only team to sport true freshmen in their two deep either. Auburn will feature 3 true freshmen (of great character) in their defensive backfield in their two deep rotation. If Trey Blackmon can stay out of the coach’s doghouse long enough, he could very well end up being one of the better line backers in the SEC this season.
Special Teams
SO Wes Bynum will handle place kicking duties for Auburn this season. Bynum kicked 17 field goals as a freshman in 2007. Ryan Shoemaker, who averaged 42.4 yards per punt last season returns as the Tiger punter this season.
Auburn fan/courtesy of crumleydotorg
Final Analysis
Auburn has potential to win the SEC West this season, no doubt. The problem that should give some pause to Tiger fans is the rash of injuries that has occurred this spring and fall and those injuries are beginning to take their toll like it would any SEC team. That being said and after a long and arduous SEC schedule with one strong out of conference game thrown in for good measure (West Virginia), Auburn can ill-afford many more injuries, injuries that are unfortunately part of the game of football. It also stands to reason that Auburn has improved offensively but it was reported in their last scrimmage that the offense pretty much dominated the defense. Is that a good thing so fast, so soon? I really don’t think so. By the time Auburn arrives in Tuscaloosa, they may be the team battling depth issues while Alabama’s numbers should be on the rise. Sorry Tigers, no seven in a row for you!
Final Score Prediction:
*Alabama 38 Auburn 26
*It’s usually a strange score.
Roll Tide Buddy! Beat the Barn!
