Auburn Football: 3 bold predictions for ranked battle vs. Washington

3. Auburn intercepts Jake Browning twice

Auburn has been prone to slow starts in the past but the Tigers defense returns three linemen and a star linebacker and that will spell trouble for the Pac-12 North’s frontrunner in the Huskies. The Washington quarterback is Jake Browning and he’s only thrown 24 interceptions in three years of starting duty as the model of efficiency.

Browning, however, rarely faces a defense this fast and Kevin Steele will find a way to get to Browning and allow his back seven to run free. Against Alabama in the 2016 Peach Bowl, Browning threw two interceptions while looking completely overwhelmed by the Crimson Tide’s size and speed. Without a go-to receiving threat Browning will have to be perfect and Auburn rarely allows that from a quarterback.

Aside from the pass rush that will be given by the Tigers with studs like Derrick Brown and Marlon Davis providing pressure on Browning, the stars on Sept. 1 might be the cornerbacks. Jamel Dean ended 2017 with eight passes defensed and Javaris Davis had two interceptions last season.

The Huskies have one of if not the best offensive tackle tandems in college football with Trey Adams a potential top 25 selection in the 2019 NFL Draft but he’s coming off an injury and has rarely seen the speed the Tigers will play with.