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Auburn....why so high?

After reading this article, and understanding how bad their defense was last year, I'm not sure why they are getting so much hype. If we were relying on 8 frosh on defense, it would be a 1-10 prediction. Also a new scheme. THe most interesting quote is how Muschamp isn't afraid of freshmen Corners.

http://www.al.com/auburnfootball/index.ssf/2015/08/auburn_expects_eight_true_fres.html

"Relying on" sounds like an overstatement to me .... Byron Cowart (the consensus #1 player in the nation) will play a lot at DE. Two freshmen cornerbacks will play as the 3rd and 4th cornerbacks, which means they get on the field in nickel and dime packages or if a starter gets hurt. Auburn also likes another freshman as a pass rush specialist. Four others will contribute on special teams this year.
 
Lawson is back but they were really bad on D last year. I think people are expecting Muschamp to perform what UL fans think Bobby will do with an offense that has no QB and an average OL.
 
Auburn has started Top 10 2 of the last 3 years only to finish out of the Top 25. Maybe some of the Malzahn luster is wearing off.
 
Their offense is going to destroy people. Most teams they play won't be able to keep up offensively. All Muschamp has to do is get a few stops a game, and they will win 9-10 games at minimum. The schedule sets up better for them this year as well. They have a lot of their tougher games at home this year (after all on the road last year). That said, I could see them losing to one or more of Bama, UGA, LSU, A&M (last two on the road) if they do not show some improvement on D.
 
I'm not sold on Auburn either at this point. And as much as I'd love to see them put a hurt on UL I don't think it will happen with young corners and Duke Williams possibly out. That guy is 7 to 10 point difference by himself. May play but now has ankle issue and he was already on the edge of being suspended again if anything else popped up. Knowing UL they would catch that kind of break and think they've done something keeping up for 3 quarters.
 
"Relying on" sounds like an overstatement to me .... Byron Cowart (the consensus #1 player in the nation) will play a lot at DE. Two freshmen cornerbacks will play as the 3rd and 4th cornerbacks, which means they get on the field in nickel and dime packages or if a starter gets hurt. Auburn also likes another freshman as a pass rush specialist. Four others will contribute on special teams this year.

I have seen where Cowart has really been doing much, was extremely homesick early and had to be talked into staying. They are getting a lot of hype because of the Muschamp hiring, but Ellis Johnson was a very good and respected DC who had been successful at several stops. I don't know what their defensive problems were, they have recruited well but I don't think Johnson was the reason for them being so bad defensively last year, he was the DC the year before when AU played FSU for the NC, I don't think he suddenly forgot how to coach.
 
Not sure they are "relying" on 8 FR, only that 8 FR are expected to play. AU returns 8 starters from a mediocre defense but (I think) will be switching to a 3-4 scheme vice a 4-3 scheme. Agree with grumpy, Ellis was a respected coordinator so the issues might have been more on the talent side rather than the coaching side.

The loss of Marshall at QB may slow down their HUNH offense. With a running QB you can simply run up to the LOS and run your option stuff (i.e., 3 plays in 1 call) going with the option that looks best.

Peace
 
AU has had top 10. classes at least 4 years in a row. They beat UL by 21. Talent level between both teams is wide
 
AU has had top 10. classes at least 4 years in a row. They beat UL by 21. Talent level between both teams is wide

Same thing was said when Louisville played against Notre Dame and Florida...we know the results of those games...Recruiting Class rankings are important but not the end all be all in College Football...FTR even as a Louisville person I now see it Auburn 34 Louisville 24...
 
Same thing was said when Louisville played against Notre Dame and Florida...we know the results of those games...Recruiting Class rankings are important but not the end all be all in College Football...

I agree, but if Johnson is the real deal like so many claim, top talent at QB is offen the difference maker. UL fans know this to be true.
 
I agree, but if Johnson is the real deal like so many claim, top talent at QB is offen the difference maker. UL fans know this to be true.

Johnson played the last 3 series against us last year, I wasn't too impressed with him and I didn't think they were as dangerous with him at qb as they were with Marshall. He isn't or wasn't a threat to run the ball on the edge that Marshall or Cam were, and much easier to hem up if he drops straight back to pass. Gus has to make some adjustments to his offense because Johnson just isn't that big a running threat, when they come down the line with 3 options its pretty tough to defend, turn it up to run, hit the guy in flats almost like a pitch or throw the ball upfield to the WR if the CB comes up to cover the flat or take the run away. Thats why you have to handle their dive without the using the S, if he is checking the dive, he is late to the qb turning up or late getting to the WR as the CB has to come up. Johnson not being the runner of his other qbs, takes away one of his advantages. They run a guy in motion for speed sweep every play as well. He just tries to have more options than you can cover and does if the S is late.
 
I kind of think they will finish 3 or 4 in the West, but you are right that most seem to be picking them to win it all. Malzahn is awesome offensively, if they can get their defense to improve even slightly then they can finish with 9 or 10 wins.
 
Johnson played the last 3 series against us last year, I wasn't too impressed with him and I didn't think they were as dangerous with him at qb as they were with Marshall. He isn't or wasn't a threat to run the ball on the edge that Marshall or Cam were, and much easier to hem up if he drops straight back to pass. Gus has to make some adjustments to his offense because Johnson just isn't that big a running threat, when they come down the line with 3 options its pretty tough to defend, turn it up to run, hit the guy in flats almost like a pitch or throw the ball upfield to the WR if the CB comes up to cover the flat or take the run away. Thats why you have to handle their dive without the using the S, if he is checking the dive, he is late to the qb turning up or late getting to the WR as the CB has to come up. Johnson not being the runner of his other qbs, takes away one of his advantages. They run a guy in motion for speed sweep every play as well. He just tries to have more options than you can cover and does if the S is late.

This is why one half against Ark does not a career make. DC's can game-plan for this kid now. He is not the slam dunk people think. If I were a bet'n man, I would bet on Towles in Dawson's offense before I would on Johnson.
 
they have 3 juco's or transfers coming in on D that i believe they are really phsyched about. i think they also have a juco or transfer rb coming in that they think will start which is saying something considering how well they recruit rb's. i watched sec network breakdown of their team a few weeks ago so im not positive on the particulars but it does seem like they are counting on a lot of unproven pieces and are getting the benefit of the doubt that those pieces will all work out well.
 
they have 3 juco's or transfers coming in on D that i believe they are really phsyched about. i think they also have a juco or transfer rb coming in that they think will start which is saying something considering how well they recruit rb's. i watched sec network breakdown of their team a few weeks ago so im not positive on the particulars but it does seem like they are counting on a lot of unproven pieces and are getting the benefit of the doubt that those pieces will all work out well.

The JUCO RB is the kid that his HS transcript was alter to make him eligible, believe it or not,, the NCAA caught it and declared him ineligible so he had to go to JUCO. the counsoler who changed his transcript was an AU grad, but she just did it to help the kid, at AU everyone is ALL IN. But last I heard he wasn't going to start, a soph was, but it was close and both were going to get a lot of touches. RB will be a strength for them.
 
The JUCO RB is the kid that his HS transcript was alter to make him eligible, believe it or not,, the NCAA caught it and declared him ineligible so he had to go to JUCO. the counsoler who changed his transcript was an AU grad, but she just did it to help the kid, at AU everyone is ALL IN. But last I heard he wasn't going to start, a soph was, but it was close and both were going to get a lot of touches. RB will be a strength for them.

I can believe all of your post except the part about the NCAA catching them cheating, must have been pretty obvious.
 
Same thing was said when Louisville played against Notre Dame and Florida...we know the results of those games...Recruiting Class rankings are important but not the end all be all in College Football...FTR even as a Louisville person I now see it Auburn 34 Louisville 24...

UL had better talent against Florida and Notre Dame. We will see but I believe UL takes a beat down.
 
UL had better talent against Florida and Notre Dame. We will see but I believe UL takes a beat down.

Was in response with the 4 year recruiting rankings...in 4 days we will find out if Louisville was able to replace the talent lost to the National Football League...going by the recruiting rankings Florida and Notre Dame classes were just as good if not better than Auburn
 
I'm not sold on Auburn either at this point. And as much as I'd love to see them put a hurt on UL I don't think it will happen with young corners and Duke Williams possibly out. That guy is 7 to 10 point difference by himself. May play but now has ankle issue and he was already on the edge of being suspended again if anything else popped up. Knowing UL they would catch that kind of break and think they've done something keeping up for 3 quarters.

UL's O-Line will be destroyed by Auburn. Take it to the bank.
 
Was in response with the 4 year recruiting rankings...in 4 days we will find out if Louisville was able to replace the talent lost to the National Football League...going by the recruiting rankings Florida and Notre Dame classes were just as good if not better than Auburn

I will agree on Florida and Notre Dame class rankings so I concede that point. I do think that those teams were not as motivated as AU will be in the opening game. I also believe UL does not have depth for substitutions on defense against a fast paced offense. Muschamps defenses have always been solid so I expect significant improvement and I expect UL offense to struggle.
 
I don't really care what happens with Auburn after week 1. I just want them to beat UL by A LOT.
 
Auburn will have a home crowd advantage as well. Basically a road game for Louisville. Depth will be an issue for Louisville. If they get in a hole early it will be impossible to climb out. Auburn will shorten the game and take shots down the field when they're there. I expect Muschamp to attack attack attack. We will see what kind of talent Louisville has at tackle.
 
Auburn will have a home crowd advantage as well. Basically a road game for Louisville. Depth will be an issue for Louisville. If they get in a hole early it will be impossible to climb out. Auburn will shorten the game and take shots down the field when they're there. I expect Muschamp to attack attack attack. We will see what kind of talent Louisville has at tackle.

LOL home field advantage. SMH
 
You know you're a true Kentucky fan when you're talking down the favorite to win the SEC during Louisville game week so as to most thoroughly belittle the Cards' performance Saturday, whatever happens.

:)
No, they just have a lot of question marks. Everyone is assuming the D improves a lot and the O will put 50 ppg. That may happen but they also could be only slightly better than last year. It's not like osu who is returning every starter of a title team.
 
I can believe all of your post except the part about the NCAA catching them cheating, must have been pretty obvious.

They only caught the altered transcript, AU like always denied anything to do with it, the HS counsiler is the only one involved according to the NCAA, being an AU grad and season ticket holder was just a coincidence. AU's stand on everything is deny and force the NCAA or SEC to prove any wrongdoings occurred. They have lots of experience dealing with the NCAA.
 
LOL home field advantage. SMH
On playing in the Georgia Dome: "In my experience we had a home field advantage. Our fans really like us playing there too. Our goal is to start there and finish there, and kids our kids are looking forward to playing a really good team." - Malzahn
 
I'm not sold on Auburn either at this point. And as much as I'd love to see them put a hurt on UL I don't think it will happen with young corners and Duke Williams possibly out. That guy is 7 to 10 point difference by himself.
I think Auburn will beat Louisville easily. Once it happens, you will see all kinds of people posting here that Kentucky will do the same thing to the Cards that Auburn did. But November is a long way away, and factors that will determine the outcome of our game with Louisville haven't even started to play out yet. I think we will beat Louisville this year, but the Auburn-Louisville matchup and the Kentucky-Louisville matchup won't have very many similarities.
 
I agree, but if Johnson is the real deal like so many claim, top talent at QB is offen the difference maker. UL fans know this to be true.

Yeah but I think there are equal odds that he isn't the real deal. Auburn is not good on defense so if they aren't scoring like Oregon then UL does have a serious shot at this one. Good news will be that so will we.
 
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