It’s true that the Auburn Tigers are the Dr.Jekyll and Mr. Hyde of the SEC. Trying to figure out the Auburn Tigers the past six seasons is like trying to figure out the Rubix cube; you think you understand it, then it throws a new challenge at you and it’s difficult to comprehend. At times they seem to be the cream of the crop of college football, then some Saturday’s they play like they can’t beat anyone.
Example A– last season they opened up against Washington in prime time and beat the #6 team in the nation, 21-16. Then later they go on the road against Mississippi St. and get spanked 23-9. Then the next week they host Tennessee and lose to first-year coach Jeremy Pruitt, 30-24. Even worse, the Tigers record against rivals Alabama and Georgia the past 6 years is borderline awful. Since 2013, the Tigers have only defeated Georiga and Alabama twice. That has to change if coach Malzahn is going to stay around longer.
However, there are some reasons to be optimistic. Here are three keys that can change the Tigers fate:
- Coach Malzahn is taking over play-calling duties again, but he will have some help- Yea, you heard me right. He’s unretiring from being OC. But this is a good thing. This offense is his baby. I know some of the fan base is questioning why he hired offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham from Memphis, but they shouldn’t. Memphis ranked fourth nationally in total offense in 2018( 534.3 ypg). Dillingham brings a lot to the table and if he can help fix the Tigers rushing attack, this will take a lot of heat off Gus.
- Bo Nix – Want to see the next Baker Mayfield? Look no further than this future All-American. The five star from Pinson, Al is a true, dual-threat quarterback. Nix has a cannon of an arm and is extremely accurate. On top of that, he can beat you with his feet. Nix holds the Alabama high school record for total offensive yards (10,393 passing and 2,112 rushing). He threw 60 percent of his passes for 3, 802 yards and threw 50 touchdowns as a senior. Of course, he will have to win the job over Malik Willis, Joey Gatewood, and Cord Sandberg.
- Veteran defense– Nick Coe, Derrick Brown, and Marlon Davidson are the anchors of the Tiger D-line. All three players combined for 121 tackles, 28 1/2 tackles for loss, 20 Quarterback hurries, 15 sacks and three forced fumbles. They helped hold opponents to 3.7 yards per carry last season. Coach Rodney Gardner has recruited very well the past few seasons to help rebuild the defense and there is plenty of talent and depth to help make this a formidable defense. The Tigers defense will be relied on for 2019.
If Auburn is going to make it to the SEC championship and beyond, they’re going to have to earn it because that schedule is brutal!
- 8/31 vs. Oregon
- 9/7 vs. Tulane
- 9/14 vs. Kent St.
- 9/21 @Texas A&M
- 9/28 vs. Miss St.
- 10/5 @ Florida
- 10/19 @ Arkansas
- 10/26 @ LSU
- 11/2 vs. Ole Miss
- 11/16 vs. Georgia
- 11/23 vs. Samford
- 11/30 vs. Alabama
The middle of the Tigers schedule is when their metal is going to be tested. Florida started off slow last year but ended the season 10-3 and runner up to Georgia in the east. Arkansas only won two games last season but they got a veteran team returning. And LSU is one of the toughest teams to play on the road. All in all, it’s going to be a gauntlet for the Tigers. But if Auburn can somehow come away and win those games, it will give them a lot of momentum and confidence against a talented Georgia team and the grudge match with the crimson tide, which by the way, both games are at Jordan-Hare.
The feeling on the plains is that Gus needs to right the ship sooner than later. No one questions the quality of the person he is. Gus is as genuine as they come. He’s a players coach and a class act. The issue the fan base has is the inconsistency of the football team. They recruit very well, usually hanging around the top 15 in the past three seasons. But the results just aren’t there. If 2019 ends up being another roller coaster, don’t be shocked if Auburn looks for new leadership.
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