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by
Joel Welser
#12 Auburn Tigers
Southeastern Conference
2006 Record: (11-2, 6-2)
Coach: Tommy Tuberville (71-29 at Auburn,
96-49 overall)
Starters Returning: 12 (5 offense, 7 defense,
0 specialists)
Offensive Starters Lost: RB Kenny Irons, WR
Courtney Taylor, OL Joe Cope, OL Tim Duckworth, OL Ben Grubbs, OL Jonathan
Palmer
Offensive Starters Returning: QB Brandon Cox,
FB Carl Stewart, WR Rodriques Smith, TE Tommy Trott, OL King Dunlap
Defensive Starters Lost: DE Marquis Gunn, LB
Karibi Dede, LB Will Herring, CB David Irons
Defensive Starters Returning: DT Josh
Thompson, DT Sen’Derrick Marks, DE Quentin Groves, LB Merrill Johnson, CB
Jonathan White, S Eric Brock, S Aairon Savage
Starting Specialists Lost: K John Vaughn, P
Kody Bliss
Starting Specialists Returning: none
Quarterback Brandon Cox was not spectacular last
season, but did a solid job running the offense. As a sophomore, Cox passed for
nearly 2,200 yards and 14 touchdowns, while throwing nine interceptions. This
year, however, Coach Tommy Tuberville will need his quarterback to win games,
not just avoid losing them.
Offense:
Auburn’s experienced offensive line let the
opposition sack Cox 34 times last season. This year may not be any better with
King Dunlap the lone returning starter to the unit. Cox will have to use his
smarts to recognize the defense and quickly get rid of the ball. The absence of
his main receiving threat, Courtney Taylor, will make his job even tougher.
Taylor led the Tigers with 54 receptions for 704 yards as a senior. Returnees
Rodgeriqus Smith and Prechae Rodriguez have enough talent to keep the wide
receiver corps from becoming an issue.
The departure of running back Kenny Irons to the NFL
is less of a concern than the offensive line. As a sophomore last year, Brad
Lester rushed for 510 yards on 104 carries. His yards per carry average of 4.9
was better than Irons, and Lester found the endzone on nine occasions. As long
as his 5-11, 191 pound frame can handle the increased workload, the Auburn
rushing attack will be very effective…assuming the line can create some holes.
Defense:
Once again the defense will be the strong point for
the Tigers. Three starters return to the line, highlighted by end Quentin
Groves, who had 12 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks as a junior. Nose guard Josh
Thompson and tackle Sen’Derrick Marks did a solid job cementing the center of
the line last year and should be even better with another year of experience.
The secondary was one of the best in the conference
last year and returns cornerback Jonathan White, free safety Aairon Savage and
strong safety Eric Brock. This year the unit is expected to dominate. Departing
corner David Irons will be missed, but there are plenty of experienced options
led by seniors Patrick Lee and Zach Gilbert.
The Bottom Line:
The defense alone will keep Auburn in most games.
The offensive line has potential, but there is tons of talent to replace and,
thus, tons of question marks. If Cox doesn’t develop into a game changer and the
line is worse than last year, the offense will be sputtering all year long.
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