LOCATION: Auburn, Ala.
COACH: Gus Malzahn — At Auburn: 53-27, 6 years; overall: 62-30, 7 years
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Kenny Dillingham
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Kevin Steele
LAST LEAGUE TITLE: 2013
LAST TIME DIDN’T GO BOWLING: 2012
RETURNING STARTERS: 15; 6 offense, 7 defense, kicker, punter
PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB Bo Nix, RB JaTarvious Whitlow, WR Seth Williams, WR Anthony Schwartz, LT Prince Tega Wanogho, LG Marquel Harrell, DT Derrick Brown, BUCK Nick Coe, DE Marlon Davidson, S Jeremiah Dinson, S Daniel Thomas
PRIMARY STRENGTHS: Team speed. Auburn has serious speed at running back/receiver, but the linebackers and secondary can move as well. The offensive line, after a year of growth, returns five senior starters. The defensive line is big, athletic, versatile and experienced. The secondary, which infused several talented freshmen at key spots a season ago, has the potential to be one of the best in the SEC.
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Although the Tigers feature a promising talent at quarterback in Bo Nix, he will face the rigors of a college football season for the first time in his career. Depth on the offensive line and linebacker could be an issue should injuries occur. Replacing the leadership of All- SEC linebacker Deshaun Davis will be a challenge. Per usual, Auburn plays one of the nation’s toughest schedules.
OVERVIEW
Auburn features rising stars at quarterback, tailback and receiver and returns all five starters up front. The defense, led by a fearsome line and an experienced secondary, has the potential to be one of the SEC’s best. But ultimately the team’s success will likely come down to how well Bo Nix plays/handles one of the toughest schedules in college football.
TOP NEWCOMER
There’s no doubt that Bo Nix will be the team’s top newcomer now that he’s earned the nod as the team’s starting quarterback. Nix, who was ranked as the top QB nationally by 247 Sports, is a dynamic dual-threat who led his high school team (Pinson Valley) to back-to-back state titles. Not only does he have all the physical skills to be a big-time signal-caller, but he’s mental makeup and ability to read defense is off the charts. He’s also a fiery competitor who has a knack for escaping pressure and making throws outside the pocket. Another guy to watch here is redshirt freshman wideout Matthew Hill. Hill was heavily recruited by Clemson and could bring some added oomph to the Tigers already dynamic receiving corps.
SCHEDULE
Aug. 31 vs. Oregon (Arlington, TX)
Sept. 7 TULANE
Sept. 14 KENT STATE
Sept. 21 at Texas A&M
Sept. 28 MISSISSIPPI STATE
Oct. 5 at Florida
Oct. 19 at Arkansas
Oct. 26 at LSU
Nov. 2 OLE MISS
Nov. 16 GEORGIA
Nov. 23 SAMFORD
Nov. 30 ALABAMA
