10 Reasons For Auburn Fans To Be Optimistic In 2009

Starting out at home is always important. That is especially so in a rebuilding year with a first year head coach.

With solid defensive play, Auburn should be in a position to win their first four games and start 1-0 in SEC play.

The Tigers need to utilize their opening stretch to build momentum for the road because they have an extremely difficult month of October.

Last year, Auburn's quarterbacks combined to throw for seven touchdowns. Whether Kodi Burns, Neil Caudle, or another quarterback is the starter, offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn will not tolerate this kind of inefficiency.

Look for a starter to be chosen within the first two weeks of fall practice.

This position alone was responsible for Auburn's downfall last year. More efficient quarterback play could spell a big season for Auburn.

These two players could argue that they were the ones most hurt by the addition of Tony Franklin as offensive coordinator.

Tate was limited to only 664 yards, and Fannin could never really settle at one position under Franklin.

Both players are most effective from the tailback position, so they should be used sparingly in other ways. (Although Fannin also has a chance to be a special player in the Wildcat Formation, and on special teams.)

Gus Malzahn's offense is built around the power run, and having two powerful backs like this could become a luxury few teams possess next year.

Either way, putting the ball in the hands of these two backs consistently is another way to spell success for the Tigers.

If Auburn's quarterbacks were bad last year, their wide receivers were worse.

The leading returning receiver is Montez Billings who caught a total of 24 passes last season.

New signees DeAngelo Benton and Emory Blake, plus talented players like Tim Hawthorne and Terrell Zachery must step up if this position is to improve.

Improved play by the receivers—particularly the two young guns—will also aid the efficiency of the quarterbacks.

This is a way for Auburn's offense to diversify more than it has at any point in the past five seasons.

This formation, which often features a running back or wide receiver lining up at the quarterback position, is one that new offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn loves to utilize.

Auburn can use several players in this formation. High school quarterbacks Mario Fannin, Travante Stallworth, and Dontae Aycock all make sense as a wildcat QB.

Either way, the play-making abilities of the offense goes up whenever guys like Fannin have the ball in their hands.

A strong defense has always been a huge part of all great Auburn teams. Many fans would say that Auburn football has built its legacy on this defensive prowess.

This year’s defense should be fast and athletic, despite losing key players Sen’Derrick Marks and Jerraud Powers to the NFL draft.

Playmakers like Antonio Coleman, Josh Bynes, and Walt McFadden should help a defense that will lack depth.

Although the aforementioned players who left for the NFL will be difficult to replace, Auburn still gained a huge victory when Antonio Coleman decided to return for his senior season.

The defensive end from Mobile is an integral part of the Auburn defense and can help mentor the rest of the D-Line.

And he has the ability to set the tone for Auburn’s defense and lead the team to a comeback season.

With a D-line desperately lacking depth, it is huge to have consistent play-makers on the defensive side of the ball.

Gene Chizik quickly made Auburn fans happy when he hired respected names like Gus Malzahn and Ted Roof to run his offense and defense.

Malzahns’s defensive knowledge is an upgrade, and Roof should be able to recruit and field solid players.

Bringing in coaches such as Trooper Taylor and Curtis Luper has given the Tigers the spark they so desperately needed in the recruiting game.

Whether this staff can combine recruiting prowess with coaching ability remains to be seen.

As mentioned before, recruiting is going to be a huge point of emphasis under Gene Chizik.

This style has already started to pay dividends, and should only continue as the staff gains momentum around the country.

However, just having names like Lache Seastrunk, Marcus Lattimore, and Michael Dyer interested in the Tigers at this point is a sign things are pointed in the right direction.

Of course there is only one thing that will definitely attract high-caliber talent to the Plains: winning games.

The 2009 season is right around the corner for Auburn fans. It will be scary, exciting, and hopefully rewarding.

On September 5th, Gene Chizik’s reign as Auburn football coach will begin. Every season is a different journey, and it’s about time this one gets underway.

See you on the 5th and War Eagle!