Auburn hopes to improve

By Tom Dodge

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the 12th in a series of previews of the 2016 SEC football teams:
AUBURN:
Last year was a major dissapointment for Auburn as the Tigers finished 7-6 overall with only two wins in the SEC.
Things have to improve for head coach Gus Malzahn or his bus will be forced to leave town.
Things haven’t started well in fall camp as top returning running back Jovon Robinson (117 carries, 639 yards, three touchdowns in eight games last season) was dismissed from the team.
Now all three of Auburn’s leading rushers in 2015 are not on the team: 1,000-yard rusher Peyton Barber left for the NFL with two years of eligibility remaining and No. 3 rusher Roc Thomas transferred to Jacksonville State.
Sophomore Kerryon Johnson, the only running back on Auburn’s roster who carried the ball last year, had 52 attempts for 208 yards and three scores.
Freshman Malik Miller may be called to contribute from the first game and could be a star.
But add to the mix the quarterback battle between John Franklin III, Sean White and Jeremy Johnson and the fall camp should be an interesting place to be.
The receivers are unproven with Marcus Davis, Tony Stevens joined by Nate Craig Myers and Kyle Davis,
The offensive line is also young but talented –a group who needs to grow up quickly.
Kevin Steele moves from LSU to the plains to lead a strong group on defense.
The Tigers return potential NFL stars Carl Lawson and Montravius Adams along the defensive front, and a heralded defensive line class will bolster a deep group.
Tre’ Williams and Illinois graduate transfer T.J. Neal lead the linebackers.
Tray Matthews, Rudy Ford, Carlton Davis are joined by Ohio State transfer Jamel Dean and Miami of Ohio transfer Marshall Taylor to shore up the secondary.
With five home games to open the season, Auburn needs to have success early.
It is not likely, but if Auburn can upset Clemson in the opener, the road becomes suddenly much smoother for Malzahn.
Auburn should beat Arkansas State and Texas A&M to be 3-0 or 2-1 when LSU comes to town on Sept. 24.
UL Monroe will be Auburn’s bounceback game after the predicted loss to LSU.
The SEC West battle gets tougher with road games against Mississippi State and Ole Miss sandwiched between a home clash with Arkansas.
The Tigers could win against the Dogs and Hogs which gives Auburn hope against the Rebels.
But after a win over Vanderbilt, the Tigers face rival Georgia between the hedges.
The Bulldogs should win, but Auburn will roll past Alabama A&M to improve to 7-4.
The showdown at T-Town will not be easy against what will be at worst a 2-loss Alabama team.
For Auburn to have a successful season against a very tough schedule, the Tigers have to grab a couple of upsets and win the close games – something that didn’t happen in 2015.
With any luck, Auburn could finish 9-3.
But the Tigers could also go 6-6 and another Auburn coach gets a million dollar buy-out.

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