College football’s top 12 coaches with best chance at first national championship

Nov 1, 2014; Oxford, MS, USA; Auburn Tigers head coach Gus Malzahn reacts after the win over the Ole Miss Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Auburn won 35-31. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports

Depending on how well first-year defensive coordinator Will Muschamp can retool this defense, Auburn is being picked to represent the SEC in this year’s Playoff with Johnson poised to be one of the nation’s biggest breakout players.

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Gus Malzahn

Head Coach, Auburn

Gus Malzahn has a national championship ring from 2010 when he was the offensive coordinator for a Cam Newton-led offense in 2010 and led Auburn to the BCS Championship Game in his first year as head coach of the Tigers two seasons ago.

Malzahn may have a team this year that is better than the one he led to the championship game with Nick Marshall as his quarterback. Junior signal-caller Jeremy Johnson takes over for Marshall under center and has arguably the SEC’s best receiver in Duke Williams and a deep group of running backs for an offense that could lead the league in scoring.

Depending on how well first-year defensive coordinator Will Muschamp can retool this defense, Auburn is being picked to represent the SEC in this year’s Playoff with Johnson poised to be one of the nation’s biggest breakout players.

Next: Steve Sarkisian