2007 Auburn Tigers College Football Picks & Predictions
June 5, 2008
After an 11-2 season, the experts have Auburn listed as the 6th best team in the SEC conference. This just tells you how strong this conference is going to be in 2007. Tommy Tuberville has been brilliant in his career as head coach of the Auburn Tigers. He is 71-29 in 8 seasons as the head man. So much depends on quarterback Brandon Cox as to how the Auburn Tigers fare this year. Cox is healthy again and appears prepared to be the passer and leader Auburn needs.
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Tommy Tuberville expects Cox to be one of the best quarterbacks in the country if he stays healthy. A lot of Cox’s success will depend on the shaky offensive line, which returns just one starter for the Tigers’ 2007 campaign. Senior left tackle King Dunlap provides a monster anchor at 6-9, 321 pounds, but the rest of the line has a lot to prove. The SEC’s best trio of tight ends will make the line and the passing game much better. Senior Cole Bennett returns after suffering a broken ankle last season. Sophomores Tommy Trott and Gabe McKenzie proved themselves in his absence.
Auburn has a stable of young backs ready to break out. Brad Lester, Ben Tate, Mario Fannin and Tristan Davis will all be fighting for playing time. Lester is listed as the opening day starter as of right now with Tate getting the chance in spot duty. A trio of receivers in Rod Smith, Montez Billings and Robert Dunn were headed in the right direction in spring ball. The offense only returns 5 starters so many players on the offensive line will have to grow up in a hurry in the tough SEC conference.
The Tigers caught one of the biggest breaks in the offseason when Quentin Groves decided to return for his senior year. Auburn now intends to us more 3-4 looks, using Groves’ speed at end and outside linebacker. A big key up front will be Sen’Derrick Marks, a 6-2, 287-pound sophomore who finished the spring at end after playing tackle last season. His versatility in playing on the outside and inside will give Auburn defensive coordinator Will Muschamp a few extra cards to play.
Mike Blanc came through in spring ball to makes Marks’ move to end possible. With nose guards Josh Thompson and Tez Doolittle along with tackle Pat Sims, the Tigers should be solid up the middle even with Marks at end. Practically everyone on the depth chart at linebacker and in the secondary has seen playing time, but nobody completely secured a job in the spring. This competition for playing time with 7 returning starters and a ton of young talent will only make this defensive unit better. Look for Auburn to be at the top of SEC defensive rankings in 2007 for sure.
The Tigers have a lot of holes to fill, especially on offense, but that is where some solid recruiting classes by Tuberville and company in recent years will pay off. The most important element will be the health of Brandon Cox. If he is on top of his game for an entire season, the Tigers will be competing for the SEC West title. Auburn starts the season ranked 23rd in the land and we fully expect the Tigers to make a run at the Top-10 by season’s end.
