College Football: My Preseason Top 25, Part 3

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.

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