This is Part 3 of my five-part series unveiling my preseason Top 25 teams.
In other news, I am going to my first Nationals game this weekend. I hear the new stadium is pretty sweet.
Here are the links for Parts 1, 2 and 4:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/35120-college-football-my-preseason-top-25-part-1
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/35642-college-football-my-preseason-top-25-part-2
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/38995-college-football-my-preseason-top-25-part-4
Here we go:
11. Auburn (Athlon No. 8, Phil Steele No. 12, SI No. 9, ESPN No. 10)
Overall: Florida and Auburn’s bowl games last year, more than most teams, seem like harbingers of what is to come this season. Auburn hired Tony Franklin last December, and he installed a spread offense for the Peach Bowl (AKA Chick-fil-A Bowl).
This is the same offense that is the backbone of his consulting business (which earns $150,000-plus a year). This version of the spread turned Troy’s offense around overnight (109th in the country to 16th in the country in one season) when he was the offensive coordinator there.
While Auburn did not score lots of points against Clemson in the Peach Bowl (they beat Clemson 23-20), it did prove effective enough to win. Tony Franklin is a proven winner and will make this offense tough to beat.
The spread can take some getting used to, to be sure, and there will be mental mistakes along the way. While the offense returns a hefty number of starters (eight), I do not think they have the right personnel yet for a championship worthy spread offense.
For example, this year's projected starting offensive line weighs an average of 292 pounds, which is too heavy for the demands of a lighter, quicker spread offense. While sophomore QB Kodi Burns can run fairly quickly, he threw two interceptions last year (in 26 total attempts). Both INTs were against Mississippi State in an embarrassing loss.
While Burns may have the talent for the Franklin system, does he have the poise and composure? Can he throw the ball downfield effectively? Could junior college transfer Chris Todd be a better fit then Burns? These are questions that Auburn has left unanswered thus far.
Brad Lester, Ben Tate, Mario Fannin, and Tristan Davis will lead a relatively unspectacular but effective running game.
Last year, Auburn was ranked 97th in total offense. If Auburn can mesh this offense together well, watch out. However, I suspect that they are a year off before they make a serious run at the SEC Championship.
4 comments Last one added 11 months ago — Leave a Comment
BabyTate 11 months ago
Wisconsin's main strategy is to get you to their place for a home game and win. I watched several Badger games the past two years and have no clue what their main strength is. Basically they're just really huge people who fall on the other team and the clock runs out. I have no idea how they keep getting ranked so high each season.
Tennessee might come down a little this season. And man, Kansas is going back to the poor house where they came from. That was a one hit wonder.
I've enjoyed reading all of your articles in this series. Hope you have a safe and happy trip to the Bayou country.
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Colin Clark 11 months ago
Thanks, BabyTate...
You are right about Wisconsin, but someone has to be Number 2 in the Big 10...
Kansas still has a fair part of their talented team from last year, so they won't completely fall apart. However, I think they will sink back into mediocrity before too long.
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Conrad Osticator 11 months ago
What does Hawaii have to do with where BYU finishes in the rankings? Hawaii played a schedule last year the was weaker than several FCS teams and weaker than almost any FBS team. BYU is playing two Pac-10 teams this year (UCLA, & UW), an FCS team (late addition after Nevada-Reno reneged on their contract to play in Provo - BYU had already played them in Reno a couple of years ago.), and Utah State (a traditional rival that the majority of BYU fans would rather not waste time playing.
BYU will have conference games against several tough foes, including TCU, Utah, and New Mexico.
It is illogical to hold UCLA's and UW's football woes against BYU, after all they are part of the "mighty" Pac-10.
If BYU is undefeated in the regular season then they would be riding a 22 game win streak and a three year record of 34-4, including bowl wins against UCAL and Oregon. Any bias against them in the rankings will just prove once again that the BCS is really just BS.
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Colin Clark 11 months ago
Conrad-
First off, I am not saying voters are logical, they are not.
Second, Hawaii got crushed in their BCS game so voters are skeptical about non-BCS teams actually having what it takes in the postseason. While I think Boise State and Utah should have won voters over nationally, I think non-BCS teams are a few wins away from true respect.
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