Looking ahead to Auburn's 2008 football season

[DKW 86 7,880]

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Looking ahead to Auburn's 2008 football season

Posted by Phillip Marshall, The Huntsville Times April 07, 2008 10:31 AM

Categories: Football

Todd Van Emst, Auburn UniversityAuburn coach Tommy Tuberville is headed toward his 10th Auburn season.

Some have asked that I take a look at next season and what would be reasonable to expect from Auburn's football team. With spring practice over, today seems as good as any.

For starters, I believe Auburn has a larger number of talented athletes in Tommy Tuberville's 10th season as head coach than any time I can remember. That doesn't mean it has the most good players.. That remains to be seen. It would be pretty hard to match 2004, a team that had five starters who were eventually first-round draft choices and another that played in the Pro Bowl as an NFL rookie.

Anyway, with the disclaimer that things could change in the next five months, here's how I see it week-by-week.

Aug. 30 vs. Louisiana Monroe

With two new coordinators, it'll be a shakedown cruise. But it won't be much of a game.

Auburn 42, ULM 13.

Sept. 6 vs. Southern Mississippi

The Golden Eagles are always a challenge. They often raise their level of play against the big boys.

Auburn 31, USM 9.

Sept. 13 at Mississippi State

Mississippi State won a stunner at Jordan-Hare Stadium last season. But Auburn still has more firepower, a lot more.

Auburn 28, Mississippi State 7.

Sept. 20 vs. LSU

The visiting team hasn't won in this series since 1999. I don't see any reason to expect that to change.

Auburn 23, LSU 20.

Sept. 27 vs. Tennessee

Tennessee played in the SEC Championship Game last season, but does anyone believe the Vols were really the best team in the East? They have to replace starting quarterback Eric Ainge.

Auburn 34, Tennessee 17.

Oct. 4 at Vanderbilt

I really like Bobby Johnson, but Vanderbilt is still Vanderbilt.

Auburn 35, Vandy 14.

Oct. 11 vs. Arkansas

I don't think there is any doubt that Bobby Petrino is going to have a major impact in the SEC. But he's only as good as his players, and right now he doesn't have enough.

Auburn 28, Arkansas 17.

Oct. 23 at West Virginia

This one is hard to call because there's no way to know what kind of impact the coaching change at West Virginia will have. But the Mounties are very tough at home. You think Pat White might be inspired?

West Virginia 28, Auburn 24.

Nov. 1 at Ole Miss

Houston Nutt inherited a lot of good players. The Rebels will be a handful on the road. An upset is certainly possible.

Auburn 24, Ole Miss 20.

Nov. 8 vs. UT-Martin

This one won't even be a good scrimmage.

Auburn 56, UT-Martin 0.

Nov. 15 vs. Georgia

Auburn players, coaches and fans are hungry to earn some redemption against Georgia after two straight lopsided losses, but the Bulldogs are loaded. This one could be a preview of the SEC Championship Game.

Georgia 31, Auburn 27.

Nov. 29 at Alabama

Speaking of hungry, Alabama is ravenous for a victory over Auburn after six straight losses. But the Tide will have the same problem next season it has had for most of the past six seasons. Auburn has more players.

Auburn 30, Alabama 21.

That adds up to a 10-2 record overall, a 7-1 record in the SEC and a West Division championship. Take it for what it's worth, which isn't much.

[WAR-MATT 2]

I can't argue with that.

[Dyebama 2]

Sounds pretty good to me Yea thats the Ticket

[lukeduke 8]

I would agree...those two losses, along with the LSU game could be flip flopped either way. I don't think Ole Miss is close at all.

[AUBURNJAC 53]

I'm gonna be a homer and say that we "HAVE" the talent, favorable schedule and hopefully fully installed systems to run the table in 08'.......The more I look at this team, the better looking it gets. Looks like Kodi Burns has bucked up and said "unh uhh, ain't nobody takin' my spot", and even if that's not the case, I have confidence that Todd or Caudle could get it done. The recievers are looking like they are jelling in this offense, and I need not say anything bout the O-Line, Tight Ends or Backs. Also, The defense looks SCARY good. I'm really really pumped and excited for 08'.......

WAR DAMN EAGLE!!!!!!!

[AUTiger1 0]

I will agree with Marshall's assessment. I think we drop UGA, they should be demons this year. The only game I question him on is the WVU game. I don't know, but I have a feeling that we come out of Morgantown with a W. But that game to me could go either way though.

[PChamp119 96]

I hear it's bad to hope injury on a player... so I will hope for a 24 hour flu bug on Pat White. I agree that he will be pumped to win that game. I also agree with him on UGA - but I'm afraid it'll be uglier (like the previous two). But I'll take a loss in Auburn to UGA if it means we can beat them in Atlanta (not that i think it would happen). Sounds like we should book our tickets to either the Capital One Bowl or Cotton Bowl.

[lca408 380]

If we lose to Georgia again in the regular season, and play them in Atlanta again, I guarantee you we win. Just a hunch.

West Virginia could be a really good team, but the problem is, they don't play anybody before they play us. The two toughest teams they play before us are Colorado (on the road), and Rutgers. And it remains to be seen if Rutgers can even be close to what they were last year. WVU could be undefeated when they play us, but we'll most likely be the best team they will have played at that point. With our defense, and a faster, more efficient offense, I like our chances, even on the road.

Ole Miss could be a toughy, but the situation in Oxford isn't close to that in Fayettville. Nutt is a much better coach than Orgeron, but I just don't think that's an upset.

[cwalter2 0]

If we lose to Georgia again in the regular season, and play them in Atlanta again, I guarantee you we win. Just a hunch.

West Virginia could be a really good team, but the problem is, they don't play anybody before they play us. The two toughest teams they play before us are Colorado (on the road), and Rutgers. And it remains to be seen if Rutgers can even be close to what they were last year. WVU could be undefeated when they play us, but we'll most likely be the best team they will have played at that point. With our defense, and a faster, more efficient offense, I like our chances, even on the road.

Ole Miss could be a toughy, but the situation in Oxford isn't close to that in Fayettville. Nutt is a much better coach than Orgeron, but I just don't think that's an upset.

ur right, wvu doesnt play anyone b4 we get to you guys... We wont be battle tested and you would have already played LSU... but also you wouldnt have seen speed like ours either... I remember when the spread was instilled at wvu we went 3-8 the first season... I know you guys have more talent now than we had back then when we first started with the spread, but it may have some kinks in it... AU defense is sweet and will be amazing... WVU's linebackers are probibly top 3 core in the nation no question to that... It will be an amazing game, but one more note wvu has not lost a thursday night game at home in the 2000's I belive were up to 7 thursday night victorys in a row... its always an amazing atmosphere in morgantown on thursday night...

[AUBURNJAC 53]

If we lose to Georgia again in the regular season, and play them in Atlanta again, I guarantee you we win. Just a hunch.

West Virginia could be a really good team, but the problem is, they don't play anybody before they play us. The two toughest teams they play before us are Colorado (on the road), and Rutgers. And it remains to be seen if Rutgers can even be close to what they were last year. WVU could be undefeated when they play us, but we'll most likely be the best team they will have played at that point. With our defense, and a faster, more efficient offense, I like our chances, even on the road.

Ole Miss could be a toughy, but the situation in Oxford isn't close to that in Fayettville. Nutt is a much better coach than Orgeron, but I just don't think that's an upset.

ur right, wvu doesnt play anyone b4 we get to you guys... We wont be battle tested and you would have already played LSU... but also you wouldnt have seen speed like ours either... I remember when the spread was instilled at wvu we went 3-8 the first season... I know you guys have more talent now than we had back then when we first started with the spread, but it may have some kinks in it... AU defense is sweet and will be amazing... WVU's linebackers are probibly top 3 core in the nation no question to that... It will be an amazing game, but one more note wvu has not lost a thursday night game at home in the 2000's I belive were up to 7 thursday night victorys in a row... its always an amazing atmosphere in morgantown on thursday night...

"but also you wouldnt have seen speed like ours either... " Dude, seriously.....We will have seen PLENTY of speed to match yours by the time we play yall. Have you ever seen an SEC game? Even Vanderbilt and Miss St. are built on speed. We play LSU and Tennessee BEFORE we play you guys....I'm not being mean or anything, just sayin'.

AUBURNJAC

[lca408 380]

Seriously. The SEC is built on speed, especially the top 6 or 7 teams in the conference. I'm not saying WVU isn't fast, just that its not much we haven't seen before, and wouldn't have seen by the time we play y'all. The Mountaineers won't be world beaters next year. They could have a good team, and I'm sure it will be a close game, but its nothing we can't handle if we show up to play.

Home field advantage will be interesting to see, yet I doubt Morgantown is any louder than many of the SEC stadiums. It would be extremely hard to beat Death Valley, the Swamp, or even Samford Stadium in crowd noise. I think our guys can handle it.

But, I'm very much looking forward to that game. Should be exciting.

Ryan

[DKW 86 7,880]

I am not predicting victory over WVU, but I kind of think that WVU's apparent speed is more "the lack of speed" in their conference. Seriously, The SEC is Speed. Just ask Ohio State.

[quietfan 233]

I'm gonna be a homer and say that we "HAVE" the talent, favorable schedule and hopefully fully installed systems to run the table in 08'.......The more I look at this team, the better looking it gets. Looks like Kodi Burns has bucked up and said "unh uhh, ain't nobody takin' my spot", and even if that's not the case, I have confidence that Todd or Caudle could get it done. The recievers are looking like they are jelling in this offense, and I need not say anything bout the O-Line, Tight Ends or Backs. Also, The defense looks SCARY good. I'm really really pumped and excited for 08'.......

WAR DAMN EAGLE!!!!!!!

Well, I agree that we COULD run the table, but I never expect that of any team--there's just to much chance involved. I think LSU, WVU, and Georgia could go either way this fall, and I'll be very happy if we can take two out of three of those. We could also slip up against Tennessee or Bama, but I think we should be favored in those. We should also be clear favorites over both Ole Miss & Arkansas, but I am curious to see how those two coaches do with their new teams this year. (I think Petrino is the better coach, but was left with a bare cupboard by Nutt. Nutt, while not as strong a coach IMO, at least inherits some talent from Orgeron.)

For us, I'm saying 9-3 to 11-1 right now, and reserving the right to adjust my expectations after fall practice starts.

[AUtigersAUsome 1]

If there is one thing different from the team this year that last years team never had it is the intangible of Leadership. I know that it is early but already you can see evidence of this with Todd helping the younger QB's. yea yea Cox did too but not the way it has been this year. Burns has stepped it up and I really think that this team has a lot of the makings to be special.

If there is one MORE thing different from a strategy standpoint:

Biggest key is the Offense. This Offense wears the opposing D out. This was evident in the spring game and that was a hum drum version. This spread CTF runs is not the spread WVU runs. It is more simplified yet it still has a ton of variations and the AU faithful have yet to see any of them. WVU needs to worry. new head coach with one big win under his belt. His head coaching record at VMI was 8-25. I know that he has way more talent at WVU but this decision could come back to haunt them.

At WVU but I say AU makes a big statement that night about the differences between SEC and Big East

[RunInRed 18,172]

Sounds reasonable, except we won't double up Tennessee. I also see us winning in Morgantown and losing to LSU, which could hurt our chances in the West.

[cwalter2 0]

If there is one thing different from the team this year that last years team never had it is the intangible of Leadership. I know that it is early but already you can see evidence of this with Todd helping the younger QB's. yea yea Cox did too but not the way it has been this year. Burns has stepped it up and I really think that this team has a lot of the makings to be special.

If there is one MORE thing different from a strategy standpoint:

Biggest key is the Offense. This Offense wears the opposing D out. This was evident in the spring game and that was a hum drum version. This spread CTF runs is not the spread WVU runs. It is more simplified yet it still has a ton of variations and the AU faithful have yet to see any of them. WVU needs to worry. new head coach with one big win under his belt. His head coaching record at VMI was 8-25. I know that he has way more talent at WVU but this decision could come back to haunt them.

At WVU but I say AU makes a big statement that night about the differences between SEC and Big East

both of you guys give great points, but look at it this way... the ask ohio state thing thats funny the big ten sucks osu lost to illinois who got killed by usc... I put alot of money on sec champ LSU because OSU is a joke... also your right about stews record at VMI but honestly who wins at VMI? military academy’s dont do well in football... lts just how it is... they have a good year every once in a while but thats it... If you wanna know about wvu's speed just ask UGA from the 05 sugar bowl. Pat white was a freshman then... Noel Devine is faster than slaton and we got a back that runs a 4.3 40 in mark rodgers... We are speed by definition... but your right you see simulare speed in the sec, which is the undisputed best conference in football... (know you guys like that one) lol... i'm psyched for this game. and yes your right about the noise being like the swamp, and death valley... you may not be intimidated, but Thursday nights in Morgantown are a special time in a special place...

[WAR-MATT 2]

If there is one thing different from the team this year that last years team never had it is the intangible of Leadership. I know that it is early but already you can see evidence of this with Todd helping the younger QB's. yea yea Cox did too but not the way it has been this year. Burns has stepped it up and I really think that this team has a lot of the makings to be special.

If there is one MORE thing different from a strategy standpoint:

Biggest key is the Offense. This Offense wears the opposing D out. This was evident in the spring game and that was a hum drum version. This spread CTF runs is not the spread WVU runs. It is more simplified yet it still has a ton of variations and the AU faithful have yet to see any of them. WVU needs to worry. new head coach with one big win under his belt. His head coaching record at VMI was 8-25. I know that he has way more talent at WVU but this decision could come back to haunt them.

At WVU but I say AU makes a big statement that night about the differences between SEC and Big East

both of you guys give great points, but look at it this way... the ask ohio state thing thats funny the big ten sucks osu lost to illinois who got killed by usc... I put alot of money on sec champ LSU because OSU is a joke... also your right about stews record at VMI but honestly who wins at VMI? military academy’s dont do well in football... lts just how it is... they have a good year every once in a while but thats it... If you wanna know about wvu's speed just ask UGA from the 05 sugar bowl. Pat white was a freshman then... Noel Devine is faster than slaton and we got a back that runs a 4.3 40 in mark rodgers... We are speed by definition... but your right you see simulare speed in the sec, which is the undisputed best conference in football... (know you guys like that one) lol... i'm psyched for this game. and yes your right about the noise being like the swamp, and death valley... you may not be intimidated, but Thursday nights in Morgantown are a special time in a special place...

I'm starting to like this guy....

[cwalter2 0]

I'm starting to like this guy....

well wvu has no reason to hate so no reason to bicker ya know... untill its game day then all kindness aside we become complete assh*les, (referance lsu fans) but thats just game day...

[tiger88 934]

If we lose our 3rd in a row to uga, I'm gonna be pissed. CTT needs to figure out how to light a fire under our guys a$$E$ like richt has lit under them for the last two years. I have a feeling that if we can get our offense on track that could make a big difference in the game. If we can hold them under 1000 yds rushing (seemed like that much) in the second half this year, that would help as well.

[DKW 86 7,880]

I'm starting to like this guy....

well wvu has no reason to hate so no reason to bicker ya know... untill its game day then all kindness aside we become complete assh*les, (referance lsu fans) but thats just game day...

Actually have a good friend in Beckley with his own radio show. Where in WV are you?

[tgr4lfe 220]

I liked his assesments. I think the SEC is going to be even tougher than ever. I foresee that the West is going to be tougher from top to bottom than in past several years. MSU and Ole Miss will be better, although Ole Miss still has catching up to do. LSU will have a new QB. Bama will be bama, although should be improved. I thnk this team will be fully capable of running the table. With KB or CT at QB I thnk there is enough experience to get over that hurdle.

The WVU game will completely out of this world I think. By the time we square off both teams should be undefeated and in top 10 potentially. With AU playing UT and LSU before we could have one loss but we have them both at home, so that is to our favor. cwalter, no offense but we all know that WVU has speed but so does AU and other SEC teams. We are looking at things now not 2005 teams. AUs D has been built around getting speed at all positions. WVU probably will run off some long plays maybe even one for a TD, but they will be facing a swarming D like nothing they have seen up until that game. It will be a fantastic game. I wish I could make it up there!!! I might try to convince the wife to let me go.

[lca408 380]

I liked his assesments. I think the SEC is going to be even tougher than ever. I foresee that the West is going to be tougher from top to bottom than in past several years. MSU and Ole Miss will be better, although Ole Miss still has catching up to do. LSU will have a new QB. Bama will be bama, although should be improved. I thnk this team will be fully capable of running the table. With KB or CT at QB I thnk there is enough experience to get over that hurdle.

I disagree about the West being tougher this year. I definitely think it will be in 2009 and beyond, but for right now, its still top heavy with us and LSwho. Every team either took a step back, or stays in the same place besides us. We retain what promises to be a very good defense, with solid special teams, and get an offense that WILL be some kind of improvement over last year.

LSwho loses some players on D, and while they'll still be talented, there will be a dropoff from last year's success. Wth Perriloux and the returning offense being good, I'd say they balance out, but I think we have the slight advantage.

Arky loses their playmakers and have a new coach.

Bammer loses some playmakers. They still don't have the depth to compete consistently in the West, even with JPW having probably his best year at QB.

Ole Miss did take a step forward with Nutt, but they're still a year off from being world beaters.

Miss State probably stayed the same. Still a tough, physical team, but we've certainly got some revenge to enact on the Bulldogs.

I'd say we have the edge in the West, particularly since the schedule turns our way again, but it remains to be seen just how good our offense will be. I'll still say we're in the best shape to win the West, of course, we'll have to show up every week.

Ryan

[cwalter2 0]

I'm starting to like this guy....

well wvu has no reason to hate so no reason to bicker ya know... untill its game day then all kindness aside we become complete assh*les, (referance lsu fans) but thats just game day...

Actually have a good friend in Beckley with his own radio show. Where in WV are you?

i'm from charleston wv, but my roomate is from beckley... whats the guys name?

[SouthLink02 8]

I liked his assesments. I think the SEC is going to be even tougher than ever. I foresee that the West is going to be tougher from top to bottom than in past several years.

I think the West has almost always been tougher top to bottom

Outside of last year...well, the last 2 years, UK/Vandy are almost always at the bottom of the SEC on the whole

Until they both improve consistently, the East is a 3-way battle every year

South Carolina will stay at #4 though I am sure every once in awhile they will sneak up to #3 or hell, at best #2 then go back to their normal status