Auburn Football: Pat Dye’s 3 best seasons with the Tigers
By Dante Pryor
3. 1987 Auburn football season
The 1987 Auburn Tigers were led by what most Pat Dye teams were led by, a stifling defense led by future Atlanta Falcon No. 1 pick Aundray Bruce.
Offensively, their hallmark power running game took a “by-committee” approach.
The Tigers had five players with at least 50 carries. Although, the Tigers did throw it a bit more. Starting quarterback Jeff Burger threw for over 2,000 yards and 13 touchdowns. The season ended, however, with a 16-16 tie against Syracuse
The season started well with an eight-game unbeaten streak. The one blemish on their record was a 20-20 tie against Tennessee in Knoxville. After handily defeating Florida 29-6, the Florida State Seminoles dashed any hope of a national title, drubbing the Tigers 34-6.
The Tigers defeated the Alabama Crimson Tide for the second consecutive time for their first of three straight conference titles and a Sugar Bowl berth.