2008 Auburn Tigers College Football Picks & Predictions
The team at Info Plays gives you their 2008 Auburn Tigers football predictions below. Auburn has been known for their stout defense through the years, but their offense has kept the Tigers from becoming an SEC powerhouse on a yearly basis. Let’s take a look at how Auburn’s offense and defense each shape up heading into 2008.
Offense:
Coaches installed a spread offense before their bowl game over Clemson in the Chik-fil-A Bowl last season and it turned out to work like a charm. Auburn gained a season-high 423 yards offensively and it’s a great sign heading into this season. But the Tigers still enter the season looking for a starting quarterback. Sophomore Kodi Burns and junior college transfer Chris Todd showed some skill in the spring and look to be the leading candidates to take the job. Burn is a better runner while Todd has more experience in the offense and is clearly a polished passer. Offensive coordinator Tony Franklin is open to a two-quarterback system if need be after watching Florida use it to perfection just two years ago.
The offensive line returns all five starters so the Tigers should be able to run the ball as effective as ever. 3 Seniors lead the way around center Jason Bosley. Senior Brad Lester, junior Ben Tate and senior Tristan Davis bring many different skills to the table at running back. Tommy Trot looks to be a tight end/slot receiver after showing off his skills in the spring and senior Robert Dunn showed signs of big-play potential at wide receiver. This is a position that has been lacking in talent, and this year’s wideouts at Auburn don’t look to be too impressive either. The Tigers do have an x-factor playmaker in sophomore Mario Fannin who will likely play the same role Reggie Bush did at USC. He played mostly tailback last season, but needs to come back from a March shoulder surgery.
Defense:
New defensive coordinator Paul Rhodes may have more speed to work with on defense than any other coordinator in the SEC. Junior middle linebacker Tray Blackmon leads the way. Junior Sen-Derrick Marks is moving from end to the three-gap tackle, a switch made easier when sophomore played very well at end in the spring. Marks is their best defensive player and leader. The nose guard is still wide open, but there is reason to be excited about junior Antonio Coleman and sophomore Antoine Carter at the other end position.
The Tigers have a plethora of experience at one of the outside linebacker spots with seniors Merrill Johnson, Chris Evans and Courtney Harden. Sophomores Craig Stevens, Bo Harris and freshman DaShaun Barnes will compete for the other outside linebacker spot. So as you can see there is plenty of depth to go around at the all important linebacker positions. It’s clear that Auburn’s defensive success this season will ride on the development of six newcomers in the secondary. They have stud Aairon Savage moving from free safety to corner which will help matters. Junior Jerraud Powers and Walter McFadden will bring at least some experience to the corner position, but sophomore Zac Etheridge is the only other proven safety.
Auburn Tigers Predictions at Info Plays: 2nd in SEC West
Auburn clearly has questions to answer at quarterback and in the secondary, but so does every other team the SEC West has to offer. The Tigers have most of their tough SEC games at home and has a legitimate shot at winning the west. Auburn must have their quarterbacks and receivers step up to finisher musch higher than 103rd they finished nationally in the passing game last season. Young D-Linemen and D-Backs must also grow up in a hurry. Auburn will finish 2nd behind LSU in the SEC West when it’s all said and done in our opinion.
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