The Auburn Tigers opened the 2015 season as the No. 6 ranked team in the preseason polls but stumbled to a disappointing 7-6 record in which they clearly failed to live up to expectations. The Tigers will need to be substantially better in order for Gus Malzhan to keep his job past the 2016 season as anything less than contending in the SEC West could ultimately cost him his job as head coach. Here is a look at the three things that Auburn must do to get back in to SEC contention this season.
Improved Passing Attack
The fact that only two Tigers’ receivers had more than 20 receptions last year should set off alarm bells in regards to the biggest area of concern heading in to this season. Auburn needs more production from its passing game and it will begin with the quarterback position and scheme. John Franklin III will have every opportunity to prove he deserves to start for the Tigers and it is on Malzahn and his staff to put him in the best possible position to succeed. Auburn will have a strong group of returning wide receivers and incoming recruits so the potential is there for this group to be that much better. The Tigers’ running game could take a major hit following the loss of running back Javon Robinson so it will be on the vertical passing game to help pick up some of the slack following a disappointing 2015 season.
Efficiency on Third Down
Auburn’s offense ranked sixth in the SEC with a 31% conversion rate on third downs a year ago but the real problem was how bad they were in that department in every one of their six losses. The Tigers were at their worst on third downs against SEC West opponents and that was the difference in several close losses that really hurt them last season. With the chance at the running back position and more emphasis on the passing game in 2016, Auburn needs to figure out how to be more efficient on third downs in big games this season
Win The Battles In The Trenches On Defense
The 19 sacks the Tigers recorded a year ago made for one of the worst totals in the SEC and they simply have to be better in that area in order for the defense to show improvement in 2016. Byron Cowart and Carl Lawson have the potential to be major factors up front with Lawson in particular having the potential to be one of the best pass rushers in the entire conference. Montravius Adams and Dontavius Russell has the potential to wreak havoc up front as two other returning starters as well. Defensive coordinator Kevin Steele has a lot of talent to work with up front and he will need to find a way to get more out of his defensive line in order to raise the bar on that side of the football and help transform Auburn back in to a true contender in the SEC this season.
Take Advantage Of An Early Home Schedule
The Tigers are clearly a team that’s rebuilding and for a team that needs to get back on track, there is no place like home. The Tigers schedule is very unbalanced this season where they’ll play most of their home games by October 1st or earlier, and will then play more road games than home games the rest of the way. Auburn starts the season with five home games in a row, including a visit from the No. 2 Clemson Tigers, versus Arkansas State, versus Texas A&M, versus the No. 5 LSU Tigers and versus Louisiana-Monroe. After that, they’ll finish the year with four of their final seven games on the road.
The truth of the matter is few people should expect Auburn – at least until we see them show better – go on the road and win at No. 11 Ole Miss, at No. 18 Georgia and at No. 1 Alabama. If the Tigers don’t start well with at least three wins in their first five games, they are going to have a fairly lousy season. They better get their wins early, build up their confidence and try to get themselves in position to compete down the stretch.
