Photo by FileCheer on the Tigers to victory!
After a solid season in 2007, the Tigers are expected to be even better this year and compete for an SEC Championship, and possibly a National Championship.
Auburn will enter this season with two new coordinators on both sides of the ball. Paul Rhodes will be reloading a defense with great speed, while Tony Franklin brings in his personal, spread offense. Rhodes takes over a good defense led by DT Sen`Derrick Marks and LB Tray “Ball of Hate” Blackmon. The only question on the defense will be the secondary. The loss of veteran DB Aairon Savage for the season was a huge blow. This means some of the younger, inexperienced freshmen, like Neiko Thorpe and D`Antoine Hood, will have to step up and play immediately. Time will tell how they respond to the pressure.
Offensively, Tony Franklin brings an exciting brand new scheme to the Plains. This fast-tempo, no huddle attack should be exciting to watch. OT Lee Ziemba will lead an experienced offensive line.
This 2008 schedule favors Auburn, as the Tigers play host in most of their big games. Here is a pre-season prediction of how these games should play out:
Aug. 30
La-Monroe at Auburn -Look for the Tigers to prove a point. The War Hawks upset UAT last season, but don’t expect anything like that here.
Prediction: Auburn 42, ULM 9
Sept. 6
Southern Miss at Auburn - The Golden Eagles would have a chance if Bret Farve were still around. The Tigers cruise.
Prediction: Auburn 35, USM 10
Sept. 13
Auburn at Mississippi State - Look for the Bulldogs to keep it close for about three quarters. The Tigers wear down the MSU defense.
Prediction: Auburn 31, Mississippi State 17
Sept. 20
LSU at Auburn - This will be the first REAL test for both Tiger teams. If Auburn is healthy, they should win a close one at home.
Prediction: Auburn 27, LSU 24
Sept. 27
Tennessee at Auburn - The Great Pumpkin will have no clue what hit him after this game.
Prediction: Auburn 31, UT 21
Oct. 4
Auburn at Vandy - They should change Vanderbilt’s mascot from The Commodores to The Calculators. Another solid road win for the Tigers.
Prediction: Auburn 38, Vandy 14
Oct. 11
Arkansas at Auburn - Do you think Tubby has had this game circled since the day the Pigs hired Petrino? Welcome back to Auburn Bobby!
Prediction: Auburn 31, Arkansas 17
Oct. 23
Auburn at West Virginia - This will be a HUGE test for the Tigers. I think Auburn wins a thriller.
Prediction: Auburn 28, WVU 27
Nov. 1
Auburn at Ole Miss- Too bad ‘Ol Nutt doesn’t have a McFadden to hand off to every play. Enrique Davis becomes very acquainted with Tray Blackmon’s facemask.
Prediction: Auburn 35, Rebels 21
Nov. 8
Tennessee-Martin at Auburn - Hope there is a good turnout of folks at this glorified practice. Benchwarmers and walk-ons play most of the game.
Prediction: Auburn 52, Tenn-Martin 6
Nov. 15
Georgia at Auburn - This game has the potential to be the greatest game in the series’ history, if both teams come into this game undefeated. I give Auburn the nod … only because the game is at home, and because Brandon Cox is not throwing passes.
Prediction: Auburn 24, UGA 23
Nov. 29
Auburn at Alabama - Will the streak end this season? I don’t think so. Even though Auburn extended the streak to six in 2007, all of the talk in the off-season was about UAT and their number one ranked recruiting class. Saban has Bama fans, believing that he is the greatest coach ever, and that he can STILL walk on water. (Even though his team was a mediocre 7-6 last year.) Bama may win a couple more games this year than last year, but this will not be one of them. Extending the streak to seven games will have the Bammers wondering why they are paying Saban so much money.
Prediction: Auburn 31, UAT 17
If the Tigers can stay healthy, and get a little luck on their side, they will have as good of a chance as anyone to go undefeated. The last time Auburn had a new offensive coordinator take over, the season ended with the Tigers 13-0, and SEC Champs. Only time will tell.