Auburn Football: Will Gus Malzahn avoid hot seat with bounce-back?

Offense has its question marks at quarterback

Joey Gatewood stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 235 pounds. Physically, he’s drawn many comparisons to Cam Newton. Meanwhile, Bo Nix accounted for 12,000 yards and 161 touchdowns at Pinson Valley HS, and is the son of former Auburn quarterback Patrick Nix.

Both Gatewood and Nix are freshmen, but one will have to grow up quickly.

They should be aided by a typically productive Gus Malzahn running game. There was no 1,000-yard rusher last season, which is an anomaly for a Malzahn offense, but that should change in 2019. JaTarvious Whitlow and Kam Martin will lead the charge, and they’ll run behind an improved offensive line.

Up front, the Tigers will return all five starters along the line. The 2018 season had an inconsistent start, but the unit gelled as the year progressed. By the end, this had become a formidable group. Now, led by Prince Tega Wanogho, the offensive line should have a strong 2019.

On the outside, Eli Stove and Will Hastings should finally be healthy again. Hastings has been a reliable target, and Stove, the Niceville, Fla., product, is an electric athlete. The lightning fast Anthony Schwartz will miss the opener, but he should return sooner rather than later.