thethird
03-16-2007, 08:04 PM
Auburn has one of the tougher schedules in the SEC in 2007 because of their rugged SEC road schedule. It will be interesting to see if Auburn can continue to reload. With 33 wins in the past 3 seasons and another top 10 recruiting class, the odds are that they will. OL & WR seems to be the concerns but they have the talent - but not a lot of experience.
After the 2003 season, Auburn sent 5 of their front 7 on defense to the NFL. There was a large drop off expected on defense. Auburn reloaded and responded by leading the nation in scoring defense in 2004. After the 2004 season, Auburn had led the SEC in scoring offense (and also sent 3 first round offensive draft picks to the NFL). It was expected that the offense would struggle. Auburn responded in 2005 by producing the SEC's leading rusher and also by leading the SEC in scoring offense & total offense. In 2006 the Auburn offense was less effective than the previous two seasons, but the defense led them to an eleven-win season. The 2007 defense appears to be bad asses again. Until proven different - Auburn is reloading every year.
The Tigers open the season against K-State. QB Josh Freeman – was one of the nation's most sought-after prep quarterbacks. Freeman matured as a starting frosh last year and threw 3 TD's and ran for one TD in the victory over Texas. The Tiger’s second game is against an up and coming South Florida at Jordan-Hare. South Florida won 4 of their last 5 in 2006 with a victory over West Virginia and a bowl victory in Birmingham. They return QB Matt Grothe who led the team in rushing yards/TD's and passing yards/TD's and was Big East Rookie of the Year. Also freshman Mike Ford will make his debut. Does anyone remember him?
Roads games at Florida, Arkansas, LSU & Georgia will be brutal. Fortunately Auburn has easy home games against opponents they dominate like Miss.St., Vandy, Ole Miss & Bama. Those are pretty much given victories.
It will be interesting to see if Auburn continues their excellent success.
After the 2003 season, Auburn sent 5 of their front 7 on defense to the NFL. There was a large drop off expected on defense. Auburn reloaded and responded by leading the nation in scoring defense in 2004. After the 2004 season, Auburn had led the SEC in scoring offense (and also sent 3 first round offensive draft picks to the NFL). It was expected that the offense would struggle. Auburn responded in 2005 by producing the SEC's leading rusher and also by leading the SEC in scoring offense & total offense. In 2006 the Auburn offense was less effective than the previous two seasons, but the defense led them to an eleven-win season. The 2007 defense appears to be bad asses again. Until proven different - Auburn is reloading every year.
The Tigers open the season against K-State. QB Josh Freeman – was one of the nation's most sought-after prep quarterbacks. Freeman matured as a starting frosh last year and threw 3 TD's and ran for one TD in the victory over Texas. The Tiger’s second game is against an up and coming South Florida at Jordan-Hare. South Florida won 4 of their last 5 in 2006 with a victory over West Virginia and a bowl victory in Birmingham. They return QB Matt Grothe who led the team in rushing yards/TD's and passing yards/TD's and was Big East Rookie of the Year. Also freshman Mike Ford will make his debut. Does anyone remember him?
Roads games at Florida, Arkansas, LSU & Georgia will be brutal. Fortunately Auburn has easy home games against opponents they dominate like Miss.St., Vandy, Ole Miss & Bama. Those are pretty much given victories.
It will be interesting to see if Auburn continues their excellent success.