Auburn Tigers
Overall Rank: #29
#8 SEC Conference
Auburn Team Page
2010 Record: (14-0, 8-0)
2010 Bowl: BCS Championship Bowl vs Oregon (W 22-19)
Coach: Gene Chizik
Offensive Coordinator: Gus Malzahn
Defensive Coordinator: Ted Roof
Returning Leaders:
Rushing: Micheal Dyer, RB, 1,093 yards
Passing: Barrett Trotter, QB, 64 yards
Receiving: Emory Blake, WR, 554 yards
Tackles: Neiko Thorpe, S, 64
Sacks: Nosa Eguae, DE, 3.5
Interceptions: T’Sharvan Bell, CB, 1
Other Key Returnees: HB Philip Lutzenkirchen, WR Quiindarius Carr, OT Brandon Mosley, LB Darren Bates, LB Eltoro Freeman,
Key Losses: QB Cam Newton, WR Darvin Adams, OT Lee Ziemba, DT Nick Fairley, LB Josh Bynes, LB Craig Stevens
However this season turns out, the Auburn Tigers had a dreamy 2010. Auburn went undefeated, Cam Newton won the Heisman, and they won the National Championship. The Tigers better have enjoyed it because this season will look totally different when it’s all said and done. Coach Gene Chizik will have his hands full with a very young and inexperienced team this fall, but there is talent and that’s the first step to reaching that next step in the SEC.
Strengths:
The most important part of this team is running back Micheal Dyer. As a true freshman he rushed for 1,093 yards and help pace the dynamic Auburn offensive with Cam Newton. With Newton moving on to the NFL, Dyer’s load just got much heavier. On the defensive side of the ball there are plenty of unknowns but one that is not is safety Neiko Thrope. He led the team in tackles and is one of the only three starters on defense returning. With so little experience on offense and defense the coordinators will be very vital to the team’s success this season. They will be asked to get these young players moving forward faster than they would have liked.
Weaknesses:
Last year Auburn’s offensive line was one of the best in the country, this year it could be one of the worst. They return only one starter, and that spells trouble for a new inexperienced signal caller. At quarterback, the obvious choice at this point is junior Barrett Trotter as he was Newton’s backup last year, but the wild card is freshman sensation Kiehl Frazier. Frazier has all the weapons to be a starter by mid-season, if Trotter falters. On the defensive side replacing All-American Nick Fairley is as vital as replacing Newton. The defense has one defensive lineman, linebacker, and safety returning and they will be expected to lead the group of young replacements, or they will put additional pressure on the offense to score more points than they might be capable of doing.
The Bottom Line:
Auburn’s schedule is brutal and that does not bode well for a young team. Offensive and defensive coordinators, Guz Malzahn and Ted Roof will be asked to do as much as any coordinator in the country can for their team. Dyer can dominate games, but some might wonder how he will do with no Newton and a rebuilt offensive line. Coach Gene Chizik is not expecting last year’s success this season, but that doesn’t mean that he has conceded the season either. They will have their work cut out for them and players will need to step forward, but if this can happen, next season might be something for Auburn fans to really look forward too.
Projected Bowl: Music City Bowl
2010 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 284.8 (7th in nation, 1st in conference)
Passing Offense: 214.4 (66, 7)
Total Offense: 499.2 (7,1)
Scoring Offense: 41.2 (7,1)
Rushing Defense: 109.1 (9,1)
Pass Defense: 259.3 (108, 12)
Total Defense: 368.4 (60, 9)
Scoring Defense: 24.1 (53, 8)
Turnover Margin: .36 (33, 5)
Sacks: 2.85 (11, 2)
Sacks Allowed: 1.30 (29, 3)
Madness 2011 FBS Football Recruit Rankings:
#11 Christian Westerman
#44 Kiehl Frazier
#55 Reese Dismukes
#56 Kris Frost
#68 Quan Bray
#80 Erique Florence
#82 Greg Robinson
#116 Gabe Wright
#130 Jonathan Rose
#142 Brandon Fulse
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