The preseason expectations thread

[Fresh prince of Auburn-13 0]

Really not sure what to expect this year. Our offense will be better but i'm just not sure if it will be good enough to offset the defensive troubles i'm expecting we'll have. I think we'll have a solid to great running game this year but i'm thinking our passing offense is going to struggle from a mixture of Marshall not being a great thrower and the receivers haven't shown they can get open. The OL will take a big step forward this year but will that be enough? I'm very curious to see who the starters on the OL turn out to be. Whoever it is we will still be very young and fairly inexperienced at 2 of the OL spots. Hopefully Greg, Dismukes, and Slade have stepped their game up enough to make up for the other two spots.

Defense has me all kinds of worried though. Johnson is really going to be working hard to earn his paycheck this year. Why am I so worried about the defense? Glad you asked.....we'll just start on the DL and move our way back.

DE - we have no all around players at this position. Egue, Carter, and Sanders are all run stuffers. Ford is a pure pass rusher and he is the only proven one we have that can get pressure. Lawson and Daniels are being counted on to provide pass rush opposite Ford and anyone who truly follows college football will tell you that if you are "counting" on Freshmen then you are in trouble. Its ok to hope and expect them to contribute, but if you're depending on them you are in big trouble. We'll see if Owens can provide some additional pass rush but seeing as how he asked to be moved to another position and then found himself back at DE tells me to not expect a whole lot here.

DT - I really think we could have a solid 2 deep at DT with Blackson, Wright, Whitaker, and Bradley. These guys should all be solid players but can any be playmakers? Can any of them get the consistency that Garner is looking for or will it always be flashes of great plays here and there and then you don't notice the guys for 3 out of 4 quarters? Normally its icing on the cake if you have a DT that is a playmaker but will lack of proven playmakers anywhere else on the front 7 somebody has got to take that role. If a couple people want to take that roll then even better! Maybe Monty (see this is where one should discuss Freshman, at the end of the breakdown!! lol) can step in occasionally and provide a spark.

LB - No idea. That about sums it up. Holland is the only one with much expeirence and he hasn't played up to the level of a starting LB too often in his career at AU. I personally don't think that is all his fault, but the fact remains. Cass. showed some grit last year but has he got his assignments down now and do the coaches trust him? Is this Frost kid ever going to show that 5 star potential, was he ever meant to be a MLB in the first place? The next LB in line I believe is Mitchell and he seems awfully small to be player MLB in our scheme. Maybe Tony (true MLB) can give us some good reps. I'm really concerned I haven't heard more about Flowers this fall. I hope the coaches have been reserving praise so he'll sneak up on the competition....i hope.

Star - We'll see....I like what i have heard out of Garret and i've been waiting on Thereizie to get more playing time since '11. Intersted to see this position in action this year.

CB - I think Davis and Mincy are going to be realy solid corners for us this year. It unfortunate that we only have one backup at CB (Jones) and the other is now the starting safety (Hosley). I love the front line folks here but depth is a concern.

Safety - This and last coaching staff loved Whitehead so that is a good sign. I think Hosley will be good here too, but will he be good immediately? No depth at Safety and I mean none. If Fisher is getting lots of snaps we're in trouble. What you say a guy who just started at that position 1 week ago is going to make the two deep.....oh dear...... :(/>. Hope those Freshmen are ready to play!!

Given all this information comes from a combination of seeing last years results and hearing the bits a pieces coming out of spring and fall camp. I guarantee a player we never thought about is going to ball out this year and fill some of the holes. I think there is a chance our offense could be dominant if the OL gels and Marshall gets a full understanding of Gus' O. I have no doubt if we get good OL and QB play that we can find some WRs to step up. I'm going with 7-8 wins this season including the bowl. I hope we can upset at least one of LSU, A&M, Bama, and UGA. I fully expect us to drop at least one of Arky, Miss ST., Miss, and Tenn. I'm really excited to see my tigers take the field in a couple of weeks and I hope they blow me away!! War Eagle!

I wouldn't sleep on Ryan white In that corner back rotation kid has played a lot of ball for us. Also I may be wrong but I don't think Mitchell is working at mlb.

[Fresh prince of Auburn-13 0]

I think we finish 9-3 at worst for the regular season (assuming our players are as healthy as possible throughout the season). Offensively we have A LOT of weapons and apparently the O-Line will be very solid overall. IF our defense improves every week and can get a fair amount of turnovers and 3rd down stops, LOOK OUT!

me and this guy are on the same page but if we only when 7 with a banged up unit I still love the direction of our program. War Eagle!!!

[Auburn4life 24]

8-9 wins. Young O line, young team overall. First year coaches all around. Next year could be our year!

[auman81 0]

I think we finish 9-3 at worst for the regular season (assuming our players are as healthy as possible throughout the season). Offensively we have A LOT of weapons and apparently the O-Line will be very solid overall. IF our defense improves every week and can get a fair amount of turnovers and 3rd down stops, LOOK OUT!

me and this guy are on the same page but if we only when 7 with a banged up unit I still love the direction of our program. War Eagle!!!

9-3 is an absolute worst case scenario. I don't see any way we lose 3 regular season games.

[AU64 10,122]

Funny thing is the general feeling (outside of Auburn ) is about 6 wins...maybe 7 but if you look at each opponent individually, it's hard to see any reason that teams like Vandy, Miss State, Ole Miss, Tenn or Arky would be favored over Auburn.

Sure last season was awful but ignore that and just look at the talent that has been brought in since 2010...and especially this year...and then look at the above 5 teams and tell me that you would prefer to have their players (en mass) rather than the players currently on the AU team? I know I'm using my orange and blue glasses but I can't see that any of those teams are as well stocked as AU....and I also find it hard to believe that their coaching is better than our staff.

[auskull 242]

New coaches, new offense and defense and coming off a horrible season: We've got to win 5 of our first six games and then two of the last six to have what I feel is a decent season. Anything above 7 wins would be great. I'm am mainly looking for game by game improvement. We could be much improved during the second half of the season and still lose 4 games. Next year should be where we make a big jump and have a 9+ season.

Just my thoughts.

[Dual-Threat Rigby 9,091]

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Wash St = W

Ark st = W

Miss St = W

LSU = L ? possible upset and we win

Ol Miss = W ?

W. Car = W

T A&M = W I think Manziel won't be playing

Fla. atl. = W

Ark = W ?

Tenn = W

Ga = W ?

Ala = L ?

10-2 is my prediction However there are 5 games that could go either way. Worst I believe is 7-5 best is 11-1. Almost impossible to go undefeated.

Who has a best as 11-1?

if you're gonna go that far go all in

[Auburn4Winners 0]

You guys kill me with this "Marshall can't throw the ball" BS. I have seen so many people on this board say how inaccurate or incapable he is of throwing the ball. There is only ONE statistic that makes that a valid statement and it could also be explained by many, MANY other factors. Every single coach that has worked with Marshall has refered to his arm as being very strong.

[AU64 10,122]

You guys kill me with this "Marshall can't throw the ball" BS. I have seen so many people on this board say how inaccurate or incapable he is of throwing the ball. There is only ONE statistic that makes that a valid statement and it could also be explained by many, MANY other factors. Every single coach that has worked with Marshall has refered to his arm as being very strong.

agree...and back to Arky, Tenn, MSU, Ole Miss and Vandy.....tell my whether you would swap QBs with them? There are four really good QBs in the SEC..

[Dual-Threat Rigby 9,091]

You guys kill me with this "Marshall can't throw the ball" BS. I have seen so many people on this board say how inaccurate or incapable he is of throwing the ball. There is only ONE statistic that makes that a valid statement and it could also be explained by many, MANY other factors. Every single coach that has worked with Marshall has refered to his arm as being very strong.

agree...and back to Arky, Tenn, MSU, Ole Miss and Vandy.....tell my whether you would swap QBs with them? There are two...maybe three really good QBs in the SEC..

Murray Manziel McCarron Marshall

4 Alabama (state) championships

2013, 2000 8+5

1 and 3, 1 Auburn 3 Alabama

That equals 4

5 - 4 = 1

Which team will make up that one last BCS CG? That one last championship till 5?

[alabamapaper 0]

8-9 wins. Young O line, young team overall. First year coaches all around. Next year could be our year!

Next year our schedule is a nightmare.

[FHeal 4]

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Wash St = W

Ark st = W

Miss St = W

LSU = L ? possible upset and we win

Ol Miss = W ?

W. Car = W

T A&M = W I think Manziel won't be playing

Fla. atl. = W

Ark = W ?

Tenn = W

Ga = W ?

Ala = L ?

10-2 is my prediction However there are 5 games that could go either way. Worst I believe is 7-5 best is 11-1. Almost impossible to go undefeated.

Who has a best as 11-1?

if you're gonna go that far go all in

I did...

My reasoning being a loss to LSU (in LSU) might reinvigorate this team... getting them to double down, instead of deflating or imploding. And schedule wise next up is a bye week before Old Miss, then W. Carolina, a possible Johnny less Texas A&M, and Florida Atlantic to build upon before getting back to 2 SEC road games (AR & TN)... then Georgia in Auburn.. and the final bye week before those Bad'loosers in Jordan-Hare.

((go ahead laugh if you care, but why bother to post crap on expectations thread))

[dilligas 581]

8-9 wins. Young O line, young team overall. First year coaches all around. Next year could be our year!

Next year our schedule is a nightmare.

For our opponents.

[Dual-Threat Rigby 9,091]

8-9 wins. Young O line, young team overall. First year coaches all around. Next year could be our year!

Next year our schedule is a nightmare.

For our opponents.

Let's not be blinded here. We're gonna face about 6 top 25 teams that year.

[Rednilla 5,449]

8-9 wins. Young O line, young team overall. First year coaches all around. Next year could be our year!

Next year our schedule is a nightmare.

For our opponents.

Let's not be blinded here. We're gonna face about 6 top 25 teams that year.

That's just life in the SEC though. We'll likely play at least 5 this year. Considering the number of juniors we have this year who will be seniors, not to mention Gus having a QB for a second consecutive season, we should be able to match up with anybody pretty well.

[IronMan70 3,322]

8-9 wins. Young O line, young team overall. First year coaches all around. Next year could be our year!

Next year our schedule is a nightmare.

For our opponents.

Let's not be blinded here. We're gonna face about 6 top 25 teams that year.

That's just life in the SEC though. We'll likely play at least 5 this year. Considering the number of juniors we have this year who will be seniors, not to mention Gus having a QB for a second consecutive season, we should be able to match up with anybody pretty well.

Plus the O-line should be coming into its own this year and next year they all come back. With a full year playing together as a unit and then a 2nd year of Russell's S&C in the off season, this O-line will be hard to handle.

[gctiger 991]

I expect all demons from the 2012 season to be fully exorcised.

[AUbritt 611]

8-9 wins. Young O line, young team overall. First year coaches all around. Next year could be our year!

Next year our schedule is a nightmare.

For our opponents.

Let's not be blinded here. We're gonna face about 6 top 25 teams that year.

True, but each loses a lot (like starting QBs for starters). If NM does well this season, and the D improves, I think we are in good shape to challenge next year, despite the schedule.

[AUbritt 611]

I'm still not going to 'expect' more than 6 wins (with bowl eligibility) for this season. If we make it to a bowl, that's a success in my book. If we win more than that, it's gravy. And I love gravy.

[WarTim 3,529]

I expect us to play AUBURN FOOTBALL.......................

[auman81 0]

You guys kill me with this "Marshall can't throw the ball" BS. I have seen so many people on this board say how inaccurate or incapable he is of throwing the ball. There is only ONE statistic that makes that a valid statement and it could also be explained by many, MANY other factors. Every single coach that has worked with Marshall has refered to his arm as being very strong.

agree...and back to Arky, Tenn, MSU, Ole Miss and Vandy.....tell my whether you would swap QBs with them? There are four really good QBs in the SEC..

I wouldn't trade NM for any QB in the league. That includes Manziel, McCarron, and Murray. NM's going to be THAT good.

[AUBassFshnFool 0]

I don't want to make any predictions, i just want to see our guys come out with fire and play with pride...last year left such a bad taste in my mouth at the lack of pride and passion (not every player) from putting on that orange and navy jersey and playing Auburn Football. I can deal with losing, what I cannot deal with is getting blown out and watching players with their heads down on the sideline...we will definitely have growing pains, but I do have a great feeling about this staff and the players we have. I am just ready for some FOOTBALL!!!!! WDE!!!

[quietfan 233]

JMHO: 10-2?--possible, but bordering on fantasy. 9-3 or 8-4?--pretty much what I expect. 7-5?--will tolerate with good bowl showing. 6-6 or less?--disappointed. WDE!

[gravejd 3,304]

You guys kill me with this "Marshall can't throw the ball" BS. I have seen so many people on this board say how inaccurate or incapable he is of throwing the ball. There is only ONE statistic that makes that a valid statement and it could also be explained by many, MANY other factors. Every single coach that has worked with Marshall has refered to his arm as being very strong.

I think the question is rather Marshall can throw the ball accurately. By all accounts he has a strong arm but that will only get one so far at this level. Reports from camp indicated that Johnson was able to keep the race close due to his better throwing ability. Marshall himself said in a press conference that his favorite thing about the offense was the read option (running play). Marshall threw a lot of interceptions his one year of college ball. So those are a couple reasons that I personally question how good of a throwing QB Marshall is going to be. Now if you have some reasons that you think Marshall is going to be a solid throwing QB then please share.

[AUld fAUx@ 2,584]

I expect all demons from the 2012 season to be fully exorcised.

^^^^^^^!

Coach Russell don't miss nobody