Auburn Tigers

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The only team to interrupt Alabama’s Southeastern Conference dominance over the last eight football seasons could do it again. The Auburn Tigers — SEC champions in 2010 and 2013 — figure to make a strong run at the crown in 2017.Auburn returns 16 starters from last year’s team which finished 8-5, but three of those losses came to conference champions (Alabama, Clemson and Oklahoma). No team in the SEC West Division returns more experience.No team in the SEC West stands to benefit more from new additions, either. The arrival of former Baylor quarterback Jarrett Stidham figures to provide a passing alternative that the Tigers just did not have a year ago. Stidham threw for 1,265 yards and 12 touchdowns as a true freshman in 2015. To add perspective, Stidham did most of that in four games.Sean White, Auburn’s starter almost all of last season, passed for just 1,679 yards and nine touchdowns. Subsequently, Auburn ranked 112th in the nation in passing offense. The Tigers project to throw more effectively with Stidham, which should ease some of burden from the running attack, which was ranked sixth a year ago.The defense must replace end Carl Lawson, tackle Montravius Adams and defensive backs Rudy Ford and Joshua Holsey, who were all selected in the NFL draft.Yet, there is so much emerging talent on the defensive line with Marlon Davidson and Derek Brown alongside an experienced linebacker corps that the Tigers might not falter much on that side of the line of scrimmage.Also, Daniel Carlson is arguably the best kicker in the league, which could serve the Tigers well in close games.8-5, 5-3 in the SEC WestLost to Oklahoma 35-19 in the Sugar BowlGus Malzahn (fifth year, 35-18)TE Chandler Cox, G Austin Colson, T Darius James, RB Kamryn Pettway, WR Darius Slayton, G Braden Smith, QB Sean WhiteDE Marlon Davidson, CB Carlton Davis, MLB DeShaun Davis, S Tray Matthews, S Stephen Roberts, DT Dontavius Russell, SLB Darrell Williams, WLB Tre’ WilliamsK Daniel Carlson, KR Kerryon JohnsonThe Tigers’ running game was sixth in the nation in 2016 and should be just as good this year. Running backs Kamryn Pettway and Kerryon Johnson form a heckuva one-two punch behind a senior-laden offensive line. All three starting linebackers return, so improvement is expected there which figures to boost the run defense.A couple of years ago Auburn appeared to make a recruiting haul at receiver with several four-star prospects. None have really developed into stars, though. Someone needs to emerge as a bona fide No. 1 receiver and big-play threat. The arrival of quarterback Jarrett Stidham may help that cause. Depth in the secondary could be a concern.The first true freshman to start on the defensive line in 30 years at Auburn, Davidson had a strong debut campaign. He posted 38 tackles and generally wreaked havoc in the backfield. He’s projected to be even better this year and likely contends for All-SEC acclaim.The bulldozing 235-pounder has All-SEC credentials after rushing for 1,224 yards. He did that despite starting just six games and sharing carries with elusive Kerryon Johnson. Pettway posted four consecutive 150-yard performances, which had not been done on The Plains since Bo Jackson in 1985.An All-SEC and All-American selection, Smith is arguably the top offensive lineman in the SEC. He’s strong, physical and athletic. Coaches are considering moving him to right tackle, though he could be a third-year starter at guard.As a true freshman, Derek Brown, a five-star DL recruit, showed enough in a backup role to create great expectations. He posted 11 tackles in spot duty, but the feeling is he's ready to take over for departed Montravious Adams and perform at a high level.While at Baylor in 2015 Stidham completed 75 of 109 passes for 1,265 yards and 12 touchdowns. He did that as a true freshman and after being thrust into the lineup late in the year. His figures to give Auburn’s passing game a huge boost. The Tigers haven’t had a passer of his caliber since Cam Newton … maybe even before that.Defensive end Carl Lawson and tackle Montravious Adams were highly-regarded starters that have departed for the NFL. However, the Tigers defense may equally miss defensive backs Josh Holsey and Rudy Ford. Guard Alex Kozan was a good blocker, but the Tigers are good enough in the offensive line to soften his loss.Sept. 2 vs. Georgia SouthernSept. 9 at ClemsonSept. 16 vs. MercerSept. 23 at MissouriSept. 30 vs. Mississippi StateOct. 7 vs. Ole MissOct. 14 at LSUOct. 21 at ArkansasNov. 4 at Texas A&MNov. 11 vs. GeorgiaNov. 18 vs. Louisiana-MonroeNov. 25 vs. Alabama