Auburn Football: 5 reasons the Tigers will contend in 2019

1. Gus Malzahn’s back is against the wall

Gus Malzahn tends to be at his best when his back is against the wall. He’s been on the plains since 2013, and has survived multiple points where things seemed to be coming to an end. A 10-4 season with wins over Alabama and Georgia in 2017 seemed to quell frustrations in Auburn, but that was followed up with an 8-5 record last year caused them to bubble back up.

Yes, his aforementioned offensive stubbornness is what has put his back against the wall, but it is there nonetheless.

Now facing a year in which he must be successful, he has taken over play-calling duties himself. He will have a quarterback that he can run his system with.

He also has a team that feels galvanized. They got to the SEC Championship in 2017, only to fall short against Georgia. Many of the players on that 2017 team are now on their last shot. Marlon Davidson and Derrick Brown chose to return for their senior seasons. Three of four starters in the secondary are seniors. Every starting offensive lineman is a senior.

In this must-win year for Malzahn, and last stand for so many key players, this Auburn team feels like a team with nothing to lose. With that mentality, a team this talented is certainly capable of contending in 2019.