| Head coach Gene Chizik generated a lot of buzz | | | | 997 yards and 10 touchdowns last season. An |
| when he led the Auburn Tigers to a 5-0 start in | | | | offensive line that returns four senior starters is |
| his first season, and there was reason to be | | | | the glue. |
| excited as the program managed only five wins | | | | Defense: Last season, the defense was very |
| the year before. But some of that excitement | | | | young and didn't have much depth. Those |
| faded down the stretch when the Tigers lost five | | | | youngsters now have a season of experience |
| of their last seven regular season games. They | | | | under them and the depth is much better. Still, |
| finished 3-5 in the SEC, just one game better | | | | we're talking about a unit that finished last in the |
| than in 2008, providing a harsh realization that | | | | league in scoring defense, allowing opponents to |
| Chizik still has a lot more work to do before | | | | score 27.5 points per game. Auburn also finished |
| Auburn will be ready to contend for a title. | | | | No. 11 in total defense, allowing opponents to gain |
| Whether fair or not, the expectations have been | | | | 374.4 yards per game. It takes a tough defense |
| raised in Chizik's second season. The offense | | | | to win in a league as talented as the SEC. The |
| should remain one of the best in the league. This | | | | good news is that this unit should be improved, |
| means the defensive side of the ball will make or | | | | but how much improved still has to be |
| break the Tigers once again in 2010. | | | | determined. The linebacker corps is solid with Josh |
| Offense: Gus Malzahn's offense was as good as | | | | Bynes leading the charge. He was all over the field |
| advertised in his first season at Auburn. The | | | | in 2009, leading the Tigers with 104 tackles. |
| Tigers were the No. 2 ranked offensive unit in the | | | | Defensive coordinator Ted Roof has flirted with |
| league, averaging 431.8 yards per game. From a | | | | the idea of moving safety Daren Bates into the |
| scoring standpoint, Auburn ranked No. 3 with a | | | | linebacking unit to shore it up even more. This |
| 33.3 points per game average. The Tigers will | | | | doesn't figure to be the only experiment that |
| miss quarterback Chris Todd, who threw for | | | | Roof will conduct. The Tigers kept things pretty |
| 2,612 yards and 22 touchdowns, but the team | | | | basic on defense in 2009, and it didn't work out |
| likes what it has in juco transfer Cameron | | | | well. Look for the Tigers to be more creative this |
| Newton. He is a mobile quarterback with a strong | | | | season. |
| arm, and these two attributes have Malzahn | | | | Prediction: 3rd SEC West - The Tigers will be |
| confident the offense won't miss a beat. Perhaps | | | | good enough offensively to win football games, |
| a bigger loss is running back Ben Tate, who | | | | just like they were a season ago. They also catch |
| rumbled for 1,362 yards in 2009. It will be up to | | | | a break from the schedule makers as the get all |
| Mario Fannin and Michael Dyer to tote the pigskin | | | | but one of their toughest games at home. The |
| from the tailback spot this season. Fannin is a solid | | | | defense will keep them from challenging for an |
| player, but he is yet to live up to the | | | | SEC West title, but it should be improved enough |
| expectations that he brought with him to Auburn. | | | | to at least post a.500 conference record. Be sure |
| Perhaps he will this season with the spotlight on | | | | to check out my 2010 SEC football predictions to |
| him. At wide receiver, few are better than Darvin | | | | see how I have the rest of the league shaping up. |
| Adams in the SEC. Adams caught 60 passes for | | | | |
