SEC Football: Breaking Down 2015 SEC Championship Odds
By Lee Wardlaw
Apr 18, 2015; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers defensive coordinator Will Muschamp looks on during the spring game at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports
2. Auburn Tigers: (4/1)
Malzhan coached Auburn to the SEC title in ’13, and the hiring of Will Muschamp at defensive coordinator this offseason has fans talking about the possibility of another one.
Auburn should be in good position to take a crack at the crown, but that shot shouldn’t be taken without winning the western division. To get to Atlanta, Auburn will need a seamless transition on offense and a major turnaround on defense.
After a quick look on a depth chart, most would say that Auburn could be in for a long year on offense.
Perhaps those people do know that the Tigers are losing their top passer, rusher, and receiver, but they might not know that Auburn head coach Gus Malzhan is a spread offense king and that quarterback Jeremy Johnson is more than ready to take the reigns on offense.
Johnson won’t be able to hand it to Cameron Artis-Payne or wing it to Sammie Coates, but former five-star Roc Thomas takes the lead role bulked up and highly motivated. On top of that, D’haquille Williams skipped out on the NFL Draft for one more crack at it in the western division.
‘Vegas is putting the house on Auburn’s million dollar defensive coordinator this fall, as the Tigers transition from the 4-2-5 to the 4-3. Returning nine starters, the unit is veteran laden.
A coaching edge: Malzhan can cook up quite the recipe with the spread attack, but the key will be the defense. Most are betting on a quick turnaround with defensive mastermind Will Muschamp, and if it is, Auburn will be dangerous.
Next: Alabama