Predicting the 2017 SEC Football Season: Auburn Tigers

Installment number eight takes us to Lee County, WG.

Coach: Gustavo Malzahn (35–18 in four seasons at Auburn; 18-14 in SEC)

2016 record: 8-5 (5-3 in SEC, Tied for 2nd in West Division)

CB969 2016 Prediction: 5-7 "...The D-line is strong but there are a lot of holes in this defense and not much depth. The skill position players on offense are lacking....” I probably would have been correct on the prediction had LSU gotten the snap off a half second earlier (see below).

Looking back: It’s funny to think that last September 24, the Tigers were staring straight into the face of a 1-3 start and another fired head coach when a split second overturned a winning TD by LSU. Auburn then reeled off five wins over the bottom tier of the SEC and finished the campaign with losses to UGA, Bama, and Oklahoma. Looking back on their schedule, they really did not have a good year. Lotsa cupcake wins and the above mention wackiness.

Returning starters: 7 on offense, 7 on defense, kicker.

Key losses: DT Montravius Adams (Round 3, Packers), OLB Carl Lawson (Round 4, Bengals), S Rudy Ford (Round 6, Cardinals), CB Josh Holsey (Round 7, Redskins), OG Alex Kozan, OT Robert Leff, WR Tony Stevens, DB Johnathan Ford.

Top returnees: RB Kamyrn Pettway, RB Kerryon Johnson, OL Austin Golson, RT Braden Smith, S Tray Matthews, PK Daniel Carlson, WR Darius Slayton, DT Dontavius Russell.

Top newcomers: QB Jarrett Stidham (Stephenville, TX), OL Calvin Ashley (Washington, DC), LB Tadarian Moultry (Birmingham, AL), ATH Malcolm Askew (McCalla, AL), RB Devan Barrett (Tampa, FL), LB K.J. Britt (Oxford, AL), ATH Alaric Williams (Gadsden, AL), OL Austin Troxell (Madison, AL), OL Nick Brahms (Navarre, FL), WR Noah Igbinoghene (Trussville, AL), OC Chip Lindsey (non-football playing Alabama graduate).

Strengths: Pettway and Johnson combined for 2119 yards and 18 rushing TDs last year... Stidham should bring some sanity to the QB position... Some think Dontavius Russell could find his way into the first or second round of the 2018 NFL Draft... Carlson is a solid kicker...

Weaknesses: Hooray for the Heisman hopeful QB but who is he going to throw to?... Losing Adams, Lawson and secondary depth is a big owie... punter is suspect... With a new QB and new OC, there will be some learning on the job to be done...

Outlook: Does this sound familiar? “Auburn has a Heisman winner at quarterback and they will challenge Alabama for the SEC crown!” The truth is, Stidham has yet to take a snap against a FBS team in the last 22 months, plus last season was a bit of a mirage on the plains. They will again wins some games because the SEC is down a bit but don’t expect them to make the playoffs.

2017 SCHEDULE:

Sept 2 vs Georgia Southern 6:30pm CT SECN - W
Sept 9 at Clemson 6pm CT ESPN - L - Aubie played them close last year but Gustavo’s odd game plan doomed them. This year, the game is in Clemson.
Sept 16 vs Mercer 3pm CT SECN - W
Sept 23 at Missouri - W
Sept 30 vs Mississippi State - W - MSU has LSU and @UGA before this game.
Oct 7 vs Ole Miss - W
Oct 14 at LSU - L - Auburn has not won in BR since 1999 when Gerry DiNardo was on his last legs.
Oct 21 at Arkansas - W - This is could go either way, because Bert is gonna Bert.
Oct 28 bye week
Nov 4 at Texas A&M - W - By this point, the Aggies have probably quit.
Nov 11 vs Georgia - W - This could go either way but I’m going with home field advantage.
Nov 18 vs La-Monroe - W
Nov 25 vs Alabama - L

Let's go Bowling! Yes, they have a shot at a non-playoff NY6 game.

I have the War Plainsmen Damn Tiger Eagles at 9-3. But they could SOOO easily lose to the likes of UGA, Arky, Missy State, and/or TAMU.

#RollTide

Previous Predictions:

Arky

Bayou

OM

That inside of a pumpkin Orange

ClangaClang

TAMU

Bullies