Oct 11, 2014; Starkville, MS, USA; Auburn Tigers running back Roc Thomas (9) carries the ball during the game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports
College football is funny sometimes. Most of what we mentioned earlier about Mississippi State can be applied to Auburn – specifically, a lack of experience returning from last year’s squad. In some ways, the Tigers are even worse off than MSU because head coach Gus Malzahn must replace a two-year starting quarterback and his squad limped through the second half last season with four losses in its last five games.
Related: Are We Jumping the Gun on Auburn QB Jeremy Johnson?
However, the Bulldogs are expected to finish in last place in the SEC West while Auburn was selected as the conference favorite at SEC Media Days in July.
Part of the reason people are so optimistic about Auburn is that the newcomers expected to replace many of last season’s starters are highly celebrated. Quarterback Jeremy Johnson has first round talent and JUCO transfer Trovon Robinson and former five-star Roc Thomas will step in to replace Cameron Artis-Payne, who was the SEC’s leading rusher last season.
*Atlanta, GA
Another key addition is defensive coordinator Will Muschamp, who is expected to turn around a defense that allowed nearly 400 yards per game last season. And, he’ll have a few important newcomers at his disposal in defensive back transfers Tray Matthews and Blake Countess and five-star defensive end Byron Cowart. Fellow end Carl Lawson also returns after sitting out last season with a torn ACL.
The schedule also sets up well for Auburn – especially compared to last season. Nine wins are a good bet, and a 10-2 record (or better) is well within reach.
Auburn Over/Under 8.5 Wins in 2015: Over
Next: Arkansas