Auburn Looks to Find Answers This Spring

Coming off a 5-7 record and suffering its first losing season since 1999, the Auburn Tigers will be a team full of questions going into the spring. The main question by all accounts will reside around the quarterback position.

Chris Todd and Kodi Burns both struggled last season and neither one was able to solidify the starting job going into the off-season. 

Todd was 4-2 as the starter but was pulled due to an anemic offensive showing at Vanderbilt, while Burns showed flashes of the four-star recruit he once was but struggled to a 1-5 record himself.

Enter Gus Malzahan and his high flying offense that has finished in the top 2 the past two seasons in total offense at Tulsa. Malzahan will not play favorites so expect a push from former elite 11 signee Neil Caudle.

The dark horse to win the position is incoming freshman Tyrik Rollison. The nation's No.  2 dual-threat QB recruit will not be on The Plains until the fall, so if he does win the spot, don't expect much from the QB position this fall. My best guess is Neil Caudle will step up and claim the job this spring.

The Tigers' biggest question mark on offense just might be the offensive line. Filled with sophomores last season, Auburn struggled to run the new offense implemented by Tony Franklin.

Look for Ryan Pugh to be the anchor of the offensive line. He, along with Junior Lee Zeimba, need to establish leadership roles this spring.

The biggest position battle on the offensive line will be at right tackle. Look for Andrew McCain to step up and fill the void.

Depth could be a key issue this fall so expect new running game coordinator/offensive line coach Jeff Grimes to mix and match this spring until he finds the right two deep across the front.

Expect Auburn to be a little bit better in the skill positions this spring. Onterio McCalebb should spark a good battle for first string RB this spring.

Ben Tate and Mario Fannin are the leaders and returning backs but don't be surprised if incoming JC transfer Demond Washington takes carries from both.

Look for Auburn to be improved at the WR position this fall. It may not show this spring, but incoming freshmen DeAngelo Benton and Emory Blake will help raise the level of expectation dawned towards the WR position at Auburn in the past.

Look for wide recievers Tim Hawthorne and Terrell Zachary to separate themselves along with Quindarious Carr. All eyes will be on WR/KR Phillip Pierre Louis as he comes back from a knee injury that sidelined him and forced him to take a red shirt last fall.

On defense, Auburn will have to answer several questions this spring, especially at LB. Across the front seven, there is plenty of star power and plenty of promise, but the main question is depth. Ted Roof has his hands full finding quality depth at LB behind what looks to be a great starting lineup.

I expect defensive line play to be more improved than any other position this spring. Antoine Carter needs to emerge and accept the leadership role alongside Antonio Coleman.

Coleman needs to tweak his game for the pros so expect a heavier Coleman this spring. On the interior look for Jake Ricks and Mike Blanc to establish a continuity together.

Led by DL coach Tracy Rocker, I look for the most improvement here. Add incoming JC transfer Nick Fairley, and Auburn may have a good combination this fall.

The secondary may be Auburn's greatest position of strength in 2009. Look for Airron Savage to return this spring and assume the leadership role left void by Jeroud Powers' early entry to the NFL this April.

Look for sophomores Neiko Thorpe and D'antoine Hood to challenge for playing time at CB. At safety, look for Mike McNeil to assume a leadership role alongside Zac Etheridge. Look for Christian Thompson to compete for a starting job this spring.