SEC Football - 2021 Auburn Tigers Preview
Our Auburn Tigers preview 2021 observes that for the past eight seasons, this team had posted winning numbers. Last year in the regular season, the Tigers were 6-4 finishing third in the SEC West. Auburn went to the Citrus Bowl where they lost to Northwestern 19-35. In 2020, this team scored just 25.1 PPG (9th SEC, 89th Nationally) while they allowed opponents 24.7 PPG (4th SEC, 38th Nationally). Thus, the defense helped the Tigers work their way to posting a winning record. Despite the winning numbers, Auburn demands more, and, thus, they decided to buy out head coach Gus Malzahn’s contract for $21.5 million. Bryan Harsin (76-24 over 8 YRs) comes in after coaching Arkansas State and Boise State.
Auburn Offense
Junior QB Bo Nix returns. Last season, he passed for 2,415 yards and rushed for 388 more. He tossed a dozen TD passes and rushed for seven more. He also threw seven picks. Nix completed 59.9 percent of his passes. Unfortunately, he loses his three top receivers from last year. Six wideouts with experience do return. It’s hoped that three of them, Shedrick Jackson, Kobe Hudson, and Ze’Vian Capers can show increased production. Last season, they combined for 23 catches and zero TDs. This unit raises a major question mark for the Auburn offense.
Last season, running back Tank Bigsby recorded 138 carries for 834 yards and five TDs. Shaun Shivers posted 62 carries, 276 yards, and one score. They both return. If they are going to excel, the O-line will have to perform better than they did last season. Four starters return; plus, there’s depth behind them and a new line coach, Will Friend. What’s needed from this unit is more consistent play.
Auburn Tigers Preview 2021 - Defense
We expect that this side of the ball will once again be solid and tenacious. They’re the strength of this team. Defensive end Colby Wooden, the lynchpin of the frontline, returns after recording 42 tackles, four sacks, 5.5 TFL, and six QBH. Tackle Tyrone Truesdell is sound, steady, and consistent while end Derick Hall offers sack potential. The linebacking group includes the top-notch duo of Zakoby McClain and Owen Pappoe. In 2020, McClain led the Tigers with 113 tackles while Pappoe was second with 93. Together, they accumulated seven sacks, 4.5 TFL, three PBU, and four QBH.
In the secondary, corner back Roger McCreary and safety Smoke Monday are two of the best D-backs in the SEC. Last year, McCreary recorded seven TFL, six PBU, and three INTs. Monday posted three TFL, three PBU, and two INTs. Together, they combined for 118 tackles and three QBH.
Specialists
Special teams have Tank Bigsby and Shaun Shivers returning kicks. Both are sound, as last year Bigsby averaged 23.1 YPR and Shivers 17.0. The punt return spot is up for grabs. Second-team All-SEC honoree placekicker Anders Carlson returns. Last season, he converted 24-of-25 extra points and 20-of-22 field goals. Our Auburn Tigers preview 2021 notes that he was 2-of-3 from the 50-yard-line. Oscar Chapman and Aidan Marshall both punted last season and both did well. We expect you’ll see both again this season.
Auburn Tigers Preview 2021 - Projection
Here’s the skinny on this Auburn team. Harsin, who’s never coached in the SEC, has been brought in to turn this team around. He’s got two major issues on offense, a questionable line and little experience in the receiving corps. Plus, our Auburn Tigers preview 2021 finds that the Auburn Tigers have one of the toughest schedules in the nation. They play Penn State, LSU, Georgia, and Texas A&M. And, of course, the Tigers end the season against their archrival Alabama. This season don’t expect the Auburn to do better than 7-5.
SEC Football - Auburn Tigers 2021 - Predictions:
Fifth Place - SEC West
Duke’s Mayo Bowl vs NC State