Five Reasons Auburn Will Win More Games This Year Than You Think
Posted by: Geoff Gottlieb in General1. Offense – Won’t it be nice to have an offense where it seems like all 11 guys know what to do? On Auburn’s 2008 5-7 team, the early games under Franklin were a mess offensively and the later games under Ensminger were so limited that a few high school teams might have been able to figure them out and stop them. I don’t think that disaster will repeat itself this year. Look for Auburn’s offense to progress and improve as the season goes along.
2. Defense – Remember how solid Auburn’s defense was early last season? Many of the key players remain, and if the offense does play better, then the defense should be right behind. The implosion of the defense last year had a lot to do with Auburn’s offense putting them in hole after hole, week after week, until they simply cracked.
3. Schedule – Auburn has eight home games this year, including two of their three toughest games. Four of the five most difficult games are also late in the season, meaning they have some time to find an identity on both sides of the ball. Auburn could be a much improved team by the time they play LSU on October 24.
4. Talent – The media has a way of shaping opinions. By all accounts, Auburn’s cupboard is bare this year. There’s just no talent. The problem is that the core of this team is the same core picked by many to play for the SEC Championship last year. By all accounts their offseason strength and agility training has been solid, and they will come into fall practice with a massive chip on their shoulder. Auburn is thin at some key spots, but they have playmakers on both sides of the ball, especially if the freshman wide receivers come through for them. Don’t underestimate the level of talent at Auburn, even if it’s thinner than normal.
5. Underdog Factor – Doesn’t Auburn always play better as an underdog? I remember 2003 and all of the hype, and then the season fell flat on it’s face. And then in 2004, the team went under the radar and talked on the field, reeling off 13 wins and an SEC Championship. Auburn will be a legitimate underdog in seven of its twelve games this season. This is a proud program with proud kids that came here to win, and the coaching staff’s enthusiasm will have them flying high. Auburn will surprise some teams and win games they aren’t expected to. Maybe even that last one at home against a team who has already been declared state champion on July 10th?
We will soon find out. But nothing surprises me anymore when it comes to Auburn Football.. War Eagle!
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