2015 SEC West Division Preview
1. Auburn
As we enter into year three of the Guz Malzahn era, Auburn seems poised to challenge for yet another SEC title. Auburn stumbled to an 8-5 mark in 2014, just one year removed from losing to Florida State in the National Championship game in 2013. However, fans on the plains are buzzing once again for a variety of reasons.
Gus Malzahn acted quickly after Florida and Will Muschamp parted ways, making Muschamp the highest paid assistant in the
Oct 11, 2014; Starkville, MS, USA; Auburn Tigers wide receiver D’haquille Williams
country. Muschamp will take over the Auburn defense, inheriting a talented and experienced group of defenders which includes the edge rusher Carl Lawson.
DaVonte Lambert and Montravius Adams will anchor the defense up front while Kris Frost and Cassanova McKinzy should lock things down from the inside linebacker positions. Senior cornerbacks Jonathan Jones and Joshua Holsey will attempt to fix a pass defense that ranked just 68th nationally in 2014.
Offensively Auburn may actually improve, despite losing Nick Marshall, Cameron Artis-Payne and Sammie Coates. Junior
Jeremy Johnson provided some big time flashes last season in limited playing time. Look for Johnson to hook up with his Senior target D’haquille Williams early and often. Williams surprised everyone by returning for his Senior campaign and is poised for a huge season in 2015.
A host of players are looking for playing time a running back, but look for Jovon Robinson — one of the top JUCO transfers in the nation — to run away with the job. Freshman Kerryon Johnson should factor into this equation too along with Sophomore Roc Thomas.
Auburn will enter their key stretch of games in September, starting with a game at Arkansas. From there they will take on Ole Miss, Texas A&M and Georgia in consecutive weeks. As always, the Iron bowl figures to weigh heavily on both the SEC and national picture. That will be the final regular season game for both Alabama and Auburn.
Next: Alabama Crimson Tide