Season Preview

[JEJunior]

Post how you think your team will do, what you lost, what you gained, players to watch, stars for the year, whatever you want

[piffman11]

My team gained a lot of depth across the board...we did take a loss at LB but youth will have to play a big part if we are going to get back to the title game

[SugaRicky]

Vanderbilt will need some work. Can't really move the ball with this team. No solid line is the big issue so we'll be looking to recruit some strong young talent at the offensive line. The group of defenders we have needs time to develop and we'll be looking to keep that development up by also getting some talent in. No wonder this team was unwanted. It's hard to just dive into a team that played horribly last year

[JEJunior]

The Auburn Tigers had a tough season last year on both sides of the ball. The offense struggled to find a true identity and the defense was too young and inconsistent. This year the team will be hungry to get some payback on a handful of teams.

The Tigers have installed a new one back offense and hope that this will help balance out their attack. Soph RB Roc Thomas will be an important factor to this offense because the running game fell off by the week last season and the emphasis on this balanced attack starts with him and true freshman Aaron Hicks, the #1 rated RB by Rivals and ESPN.

On defense the only thing that has changed is that guys are bigger, stronger, and faster than last season. The youth of the defense hurt the team last year but with most of the key players returning that weakness is now a strength as the Tigers returned 10 starters. SR LBs Kris Frost and Casanova McKinzy expect to have big years.

The key games for the Tigers are a week 4 matchup with the defending SEC Champion Missouri Tigers in Missouri, a week 8 payback game against Texas A&M on the road, a week 11 rivalry game against Georgia on the road, and the Iron Bowl in week 14 at home against Alabama. The Tigers have talent to win this year but it will likely come down to settling on an offense.

The Tigers are projected to go 9-3 this season.

[Joker12]

The Tigers took a big hit offensively as they lost both of their starting receivers. This left the tigers with a very young inexperienced receiving corp. Both #1 and #2 Recivers are true sophmores.

On Defense the Tigers didn't lose much as they return possibly the best Defensive end in the league in Shane Ray. Ray is one of the top rated pass rushers in the game with his amazing burst off the line and exellent awarness and play recognition skills.

In the running game the tigers may have lost Marcus Murphy to graduation but Russell Hansbrough takes over as the starter and he proved that he has the ability to lead the offense. Last season when Murphy went down with an injury Hansbrough took over for the first half of the season and put up over 1000 yards on the ground.

Key Players Offensively

QB M. Mauk Redshirt Junior and returning starter
M. Mauk.jpg
HB R. Hansbrough Senior
R. Hansbrough.jpg


Key Players Defensively

RE S. Ray Redshirt Senior and returning starter
S. Ray.jpg
CB A. Penton Junior and returning starter
INT Penton.jpg


Sleepers

Offensively the Tigers have a very special player in Wesley Leftwich. The only Junior in the receiving corp. Wesley does struggle a bit in traffic and could improve his route running but His burst off the line and speed are something to look out for. Leftwhich is the Return Specialist for Missouri but with the spread offense that Missouri runs will see playing time as a Receiver.

Defensively the Tigers have a speedster in their #4 CB. Logan Cheadle is only a Sophmore but already has amazing speed as he can keep up with the best in the league. Great Man and Zone coverage which will improve more in time. Places of worry are his awareness and he is very prone to injury.



All in all the Tigers look to be a little better than the previous season even though they do have some questions at Receiver.

Key Games

Week 7 the tigers go into Georgia to take on the Reigning National Champions. The Tigers beat the bulldogs in their regular season game last season but lost to them in the rematch at the NC game.

Week 10 The tigers host Kentucky. Last season this shootout went into 3 overtimes as Missouri hopes isn't as close this season as they barely escaped by 2 points after the Wildcats failed their 2-point conversion.

Week 14 Texas A&M whom the tigers barely escaped last season. This is a rivalry game so bragging rights are on the table.

Record Prediction: 11-1

[JEJunior]

2016-2017 Florida Gators (Barsoffury)

The Gators have a new coach and a new hope to once again be dominant team in the SEC. It's going to be tough and it all starts with building good recruiting classes and then getting those players to perform.....

Good news is the cupboards weren't left bare as the Gators still have a decent QB in Treon Harris to run the offense and play makers, Taylor and Robinson.. On defense the team is extremely young but extremely deep at the linebacker and safety positions. So much so that their 3rd stringers could easily start on a number of schools defenses.

[JEJunior]

2016-2017 Arkansas Razorbacks (Raider)

The Razorbacks will rebound from their awful last season. Big question mark for Arky this year is at QB, with 2 guys that can make plays. Austin Allen is the starter but will have to prove himself week 1.

[JEJunior]

2016-2017 Ole Miss Rebels (Prosston)

Ole Miss is ready to go. Offense should not be a problem once again. QB Jameel Whittaker returns with improved passing and incredible targets Laquon Treadwell, Cody Core and Evan Engram. The running game lost 2 90+ backs in Mathers and Walton, but Dodson should be able to pick up right where they left off.

Defense could and will be an issue once again with Robert Nkemdiche the only standout on that side of the ball. Rebels are ready to roll