Over the course of the next several weeks, the SoBros Network crew will be going around the landscape of the SEC, team by team, previewing the upcoming American tackle football season. Up next, our 2021 Auburn preview!
2021 Auburn Preview
Well…it finally happened. After looking like the next great offensive guru in college football and nearly winning a National Championship in 2013, the Gus Malzahn era finally sputtered out for the Auburn Tigers. And, it was, by and large, because of the offense. Malzahn had some talented units throughout the years, but he was never able to live up to the lofty expectations heaped upon him by his early successes. Ultimately, the hourglass ran out, and Malzahn was canned in favor of former Boise State Bronco Bryan Harsin.
On offense, Harsin has an experienced offensive line to build around with five starters returning to the unit, and a promising stud running back in Tank Bigsby (Hall of Fame name). Bigsby is a superstar in the making – he’s versatile, explosive, and can be used all over the field, including in the return game. But like many teams around the SEC heading into 2021, there are question marks at quarterback. Bo Nix was a Heisman hopeful at one point early on in his career, but hasn’t lived up to that billing ever since. It is absolutely imperative that he takes the next step this season. After a crazy good receiving corps was raided by the NFL, it’s hard to imagine that the Tigers are going to be able to replace it. Between Nix and losing so much receiving talent, this passing game remains a huge question mark heading into the season.
Former Vanderbilt head coach Derek Mason comes in to serve as new defensive coordinator. Eight starters are back, and with a deep linebacking corps and an elite secondary, it should be a stronger overall unit. Cornerback Roger McCreary looks like he’ll be playing on Sundays. Opposite of him, West Virginia transfer Dreshun Miller will make for a pair of studs at cornerback. The Tigers will have to get the pass rush cooking, as it was abysmal in 2020. But the bottom line is that they just have to be better against the best teams in the conference. It’s the hard truth. It won’t be easy to stop Alabama, Texas A&M, Georgia, and LSU, but I don’t think this passing game is going to win any shootouts for Auburn. So, there’s a ton of pressure on the Tigers defense to be consistent and improve in 2021.
All in all, Auburn is in a position similar to several other SEC programs heading into 2021. New coach, questions at quarterback, and a fan base that is hungry for wins. It’s just a matter of how quickly Harsin can get in and get his system and his culture installed.
2021 Tigers Schedule
Saturday, 9/4: vs. Akron – Say it back: WE’VE. GOTTA. GET. IN. THOSE. PRESEASON. GAMES.
Saturday, 9/11: vs. Alabama State – ….or two.
Saturday, 9/18: @ Penn State – Barring catastrophe, the Tigers will be 2-0 heading into this game, and it’s a big time swing game for the season. Pull this off, and the Tigers might surprise some people. If not, it’ll be a huge blow early on in the season before they even have to play Georgia, Alabama, or Texas A&M. Being on the road has me leaning Penn State right now.
Saturday, 9/25: vs. Georgia State – A nice bounce-back game regardless of what happens against Penn State.
Saturday, 10/2: @ LSU – I don’t expect LSU to be very good this year. I know…that’s probably a hot take. I’d be more comfortable if this wasn’t a road game for Auburn, but it’s winnable. Let’s not act like the 2019 LSU Tigers are going to be rolling out this season.
Saturday, 10/9: vs. Georgia – The Bulldogs are the class of the SEC East. Kirby Smart has built a hell of a program down there in Athens, and I just don’t see the Tigers being ready to win a game like this one, even if it is at home. It would be a huge upset if they pulled this off.
Saturday, 10/16: @ Arkansas – It’s in Arkansas. Sam Pittman has the Razorbacks fighting. I think this could be a trickier game for Auburn than people realize. I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see Arkansas steal this one.
Saturday, 10/23: BYE
Saturday, 10/30: vs. Ole Miss – This Ole Miss team is going to be all about offense, and they may very well have the best quarterback in the SEC. I just don’t see how Auburn is going to be able to score with an offense like this. Ole Miss could be a surprise contender in the SEC West.
Saturday, 11/6: @ Texas A&M – Put the Aggies in the same class as Alabama and Georgia this year as far as I’m concerned. I think they’re going to be that good. I’m calling this one a win for the home team.
Saturday, 11/13: vs. Mississippi State – I have no idea what to make of the Bulldogs this summer. They’re a total wild card. I could see them flaming out in a blaze of glory. I could see them surprising the entire conference if things start clicking under Mike Leach. For now, I’m giving the home team the advantage in this one.
Saturday, 11/20: @ South Carolina – I don’t expect much from the Gamecocks in 2021, who happen to be in a position similar to Auburn, rebuilding with a ton of question marks. Even on the road, this should be a comfortable win for Auburn.
Saturday, 11/27: vs. Alabama – The head coach at Auburn is judged solely on how he performs against Alabama – at least, that’s the way it feels sometimes. But, don’t expect Harsin to take down Nick Saban in Year 1. That’s just unrealistic.
Prediction
I feel like I’m repeating myself over and over, but I’ll say it again: these sorts of rebuilds take time. The anemic passing game, with a depleted receiving corps, and a quarterback who has been inconsistent makes me nervous as all get out. The defense should be better, but you’re asking a lot of this unit to slow down some of these offenses in the SEC. Harsin is a proven winner, and while the fan base might not exactly have been ecstatic about the hire, with time, I think he can get this program back on track. Just not in 2021. The official gun-to-my-head prediction is 6-6.
OTHER SEC 2021 SEASON PREVIEWS
- Arkansas Razorbacks
- Florida Gators
- Kentucky Wildcats
- LSU Tigers
- Mississippi State Bulldogs
- Ole Miss Rebels
- South Carolina Gamecocks
- Texas A&M Aggies
- Vanderbilt Commodores
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network, and a Dogs Playing Poker on velvet connoisseur. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD, #BeBetter, and ‘Minds right, asses tight.’ “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, Yankee Candle, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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