2010 Auburn Football Predictions

Overall it was a pretty successful season for Gene Chizik in his first year as head coach of Auburn, as the Tigers put together a solid 8-5 season that included a overtime win over Northwestern in the Outback Bowl. This year the Tigers have 15 starters back, but must replace their starting quarterback, leading rusher, and top defensive lineman from last year. Here is a look at what the Tigers will send onto the field on both sides of the ball in 2010, plus my prediction on where they finish up the season in the SEC West.

Offense: Former Florida quarterback Cameron Newton is expected to become the Tiger’s new starting quarterback after leading his junior college to a title last year, but figures to get some competition from senior Neil Caudle. The Tigers are hoping that senior Mario Fannin can produce similar numbers to those that Ben Tate put up last season (1,362 yards, 10 touchdowns), and I believe he will do just that. Fannin is also a great threat in the passing game, as he grabbed 42 passes for 413 yards and 3 scores last season. At wide receiver the Tigers welcome back one of the top receivers in the SEC in junior Darvin Adams, who hauled in 60 passes for 997 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2009. The offensive line figures to be very good this season as four of five starters return, plus added two very good junior college players in Roszell Gayden and Brandon Mosley, one of which is expected to start at right tackle. Overall look for big improvements for the entire offense in 2010, as they have now had a full year to learn the new schemes installed by the new coaching staff.

Defense: The Tigers were not very good on this side of the football in 2009, as the only team they kept under 20-points was Louisiana Tech in the opener. They gave up 156 yards a game on the ground, and if they want to win the SEC this season, they have to get better against the run. The Tigers also have to find a way to replace the production of Antonio Coleman, who led the Tigers with 10 sacks and 16.5 tackles for loss. Senior Michael Goggans will take over at the open defensive end spot, while junior Nick Fairley is expected to start at the open defensive tackle slot. The Tigers strength will come at linebacker, as all three starters are back, and seniors Craig Stevens and Josh Bynes are two of the better linebackers in the SEC. The secondary figures to be solid with three of four starters back. Senior Demond Washington has experience and should be a good fit opposite of the very talented Neiko Thorpe at corner.

Prediction – 3rd SEC West: Even though the Tigers have a very favorable schedule this season, with home games against South Carolina, Arkansas, LSU, and Georgia, they still have to travel to Alabama at the end of the season. I just feel like the defense will let them down at least once against the top teams in the SEC.

Find out where the rest of the teams in the SEC stack up in Jason Lowry’s 2010 SEC football predictions. If you are planning on betting college football this season, be sure to check back each week for our live college football odds.

If you liked this article, you may also be interested in:

• 2010 College Football Predictions: Auburn
• LSU Football Predictions 2010
• 2010 College Football Predictions: LSU
• 2010 Mississippi State Football Predictions
• 2010 Missouri Football Predictions

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