EARLY BIRD 2008 COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW
RELEASED DECEMBER 2007
AUBURN TIGERS
OFFENSE - 8
------RETURNING STARTERS------
DEFENSE - 9
KEY LOSSES
OFFENSE: Brandon Cox-QB, Carl Stewart-FB, Prechae Rodriguez-WR, Cole Bennett-TE, King Dunlap-OT
DEFENSE: Quentin Groves-DE, Josh Thompson-DT, Patrick Lee-CB, Jonathan Wilhite-CB, Eric Brock-FS
Defensive Line / Linebacker

Despite having lost guys like Quentin Groves up front, the backups performed admirably in ‘07. Antonio Coleman stepped in and proved worthy of being the next great full-timer. The LBs are an unheralded group, but played a big role in making this team the best defense in the SEC.

Quarterback

Marginal effectiveness at QB has been an issue for quite some time, and no more Brandon Cox means uncertainty at the helm. Will turnover be a good thing?

WR Rodgeriqus Smith
 
DE Antonio Coleman
 
* DEPTH CHARTS were only designed as a simplistic gauge for listing players that departed and players that received the most playing experience (consistent starters). NationalChamps.net recognizes the importance of missing personnel data not listed such as redshirts, transfers, injuries, incoming recruits, back ups and alternates. Their coverage will begin with our full 2008 Preseason Preview due out this coming spring.
AUBURN 2008 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
OFFENSE
QB Blake Field-Sr Kodi Burns-So
FB Mario Fannin-So ..
TB Ben Tate-Jr Brad Lester-Sr
WR Rodgeriqus Smith-Sr ..
WR Montez Billings-Jr ..
WR Tim Hawthorne-So Robert Dunn-Sr
TE Tommy Trott-Jr Gabe McKenzie-Jr
OT Ryan Pugh-So ..
OG Tyronne Green-Sr ..
C Jason Bosley-Sr ..
OG Chaz Ramsey-So Mike Berry-So
OT Lee Ziemba-So ..
K Wes Byrum-So ..
 
AUBURN 2008 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
DEFENSE
DE Antonio Coleman-Jr Antoine Carter-So
DT .. ..
DT Pat Sims-Sr ..
DE Sen'Derrick Marks-Jr Michael Goggans-So
LB Craig Stevens-So Merrill Johnson-Sr / Bo Harris-So
LB Tray Blackmon-Jr ..
LB Chris Evans-Sr ..
CB Jerraud Powers-Jr Walter McFadden-Jr
CB .. ..
SS Zac Etheridge-So ..
FS Aairon Savage-Jr Mike McNeil-So
K Ryan Shoemaker-So Patrick Tatum-So
QUICK ANALYSIS

What will Auburn put on display next season? We can already hear those Alabama radio shows throwing such questions our way. The hard part will be giving them a straight answer in terms of where this team will rank. Let's see, they lose longtime starter Brandon Cox at QB, maybe to the delight of a few Tiger fans since Cox never really lived up to expectations and struggled at times. But measuring the replacements - Blake Field and Kodi Burns - is difficult since their playing time over the years have been relegated to mop up duty on most occasions. Since Kenny Irons left, the heralded TB position has been more or less running back-by-committee. None went over 1000 yards rushing in 2007, but they are deep in this area, nonetheless. The receivers, though, seem to be lacking a big time playmaker. The young Tiger OL has been a work-in-progress after all the losses to graduation from a year ago. The only returning player that was an All-SEC selection is a freshman punter. Now, to boot, offensive coordinator Al Borges has resigned. But if there is one reliable aspect, it’s head coach Tommy Tuberville. Since he arrived on campus, his teams have been more than competitive while putting up big win totals each season. While the offense continued to struggle all season (101st in total offense), the one positive aspect - the defense - was superb, especially considering the rash of injuries. Upwards of seven players sat out games for various reasons, and yet Auburn still ranked first in the SEC in scoring defense. This group was not necessarily rattling opposing QBs with pressure or even intercepting a ton of passes, but they play team defense. Many felt this was the best defense in the SEC (No.1 in scoring allowed) at the conclusion of the season, and it's hard to disagree. The good news...a great deal of experience is back on D once again, and with so many players getting playing time in ’07, their depth will make this a dangerous unit in ‘08. They took a few hits in the personnel department but don't expect any drop-off. This defense has the capability to be even better, as should be the case with the OL, too. Extra help from the OL (until the new QB can settle in) will be the primary factor in how far Auburn can go next year. Hopefully, they find the right hurler to keep this team in the hunt for the SEC (West) crown.

 

AUBURN
2008 SCHEDULE

8-30 LOUISIANA-MONROE
9-6 at West Virginia
9-13 at Mississippi State
9-20 LOUISIANA STATE
9-27 TENNESSEE
10-4 at Vanderbilt
10-11 ARKANSAS
10-18 SOUTHERN MISS
10-25 at Mississippi
11-8 TENNESSEE-MARTIN
11-15 GEORGIA
11-29 at Alabama