Auburn Football: Ranking Tigers’ 2020 opponents by toughness

There’s never been a question about talent during Kirby Smart’s tenure in Athens. The thing that’s held the Bulldogs back has been an offense that stalls frequently and the lack of a quarterback who has the ability to make things happen on his own when these stalls occur. Jake Fromm was a fine player, but he wasn’t that guy.

That’s why the arrival of Jamie Newman in Athens is so exciting. His passing numbers were, similarly to Fromm, solid in 2019. It is the added element of the run that completely opens up this offense. Newman ran for 574 yards a year ago, which is 534 more than Fromm had in his entire Georgia career.

He’ll also have great weapons around him. The 6-foot-3 George Pickens is likely to be a favorite target for Newman, and at tailback, Zamir White and James Cook are the next in a long line of great Bulldog tailbacks.

This matchup will have an odd feeling, being the first playing of the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry in October since 1936.

There’s no bigger game on the schedule than the Iron Bowl. It’s one of two games in contention for title of best rivalry in the sport (Michigan-Ohio State being the other), and for a large chunk of the last decade, it’s been a game with conference championship and national title implications.

In 2020, the Tide undergo some turnover at significant spots, including quarterback. However, they’ll still be the typical loaded Alabama roster. The middle linebacker position will be especially stacked, with four experienced players in an offseason battle for two spots.

If Auburn can put together a strong 2020, this game will once again be an SEC Championship eliminator. The pressure is even higher on the road at Bryant-Denny Stadium.