Auburn Football: Can Tigers overcome treacherous schedule?

Defense

Defensive Coordinator Kevin Steele coached the Tigers to the fifth overall defense per the S&P+. The Tigers return six starters from last year’s squad that defeated Georgia and Auburn and held Clemson to fourteen points. Auburn has three returning starters on an aggressive defensive line. The line is led by defensive tackle Derrick Brown who had 9.5 tackles for loss (three sacks) and 57 tackles in 2017. Defensive end Marlon Davidson logged six tackles for loss and three sacks last season and needs to provide a stronger pass rush in 2018.

Nose tackle Dontavius Russell made 46 tackles (6.5 for a loss) at 310 pounds of brute force. Auburn is going to be a difficult program to run on this season and have a run-happy schedule in Georgia, Washington and Alabama. T.D. Moultry will play the buck position and hopefully spark the pass rush for Auburn.

The back seven

Only one linebacker returns from 2017 and that’s middle linebacker Deshaun Davis. Davis made 82 tackles with seven tackles for loss (four sacks) last season. The leader of the defense, Davis will have to lead the Auburn defense while the other linebackers get used to starting. Outside linebackers Darrell Williams and Montavious Atkinson are both seniors who have playing experience and combined for over 100 tackles last season. Freshman Zakoby McClain is a four-star linebacker who could get playing time this season.

Cornerback Jamel Dean made 43 stops and added eight passes defensed last year. Javaris Davis will play the other cornerback position after grabbing two interceptions with six passes defensed in his own right in 2017. Free safety Jeremiah Dinson returns after logging 47 tackles and four passes defensed last season and will lead the defensive backfield. Strong safety Daniel Thomas made 35 tackles and intercepted a pass, too.

The Tigers have experience on defense, even if they weren’t all in the starting lineup, and could finish in the top five once again in 2018.