Auburn Fans on the Honor System: What Are Their Top 10 Concerns for 2011?
Unlike their cross state rivals who can brag or see the bright side in just about anything, Auburn football fans historically have been worry warts and can't even seem to enjoy the good times.
With the BCS National Championship Trophy now sitting in the Loveliest Village on the Plains for a little over two months now, Auburn fans are already worrying about next year.
We have seen polls on whether or not Auburn will even make a bowl game next year. Where is all the respect for the defending national champions? While it seem ridiculous that with what this coaching staff has shown since arriving on the plains and back-to-back top ten national recruiting classes that the Tigers will not make a bowl next year, there are concerns.
The Honor System has been in the news lately, so Auburn fans, you are on the honor system.
What are your top 10 concerns as the Tigers defend their title next year?
1. How Is Barrett Trotter Going to Replace Cam Newton?
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Cam Newton may have had the best season ever in the history of college football in 2010.
Although it took a few games to fully grasp his talents and adjust, Gus Mahlzan built his offense around the Heisman Trophy winner on the way to the BCS National Championship.
With Barrett Trotter most likely to win the starting job next year, can he run effectively as Cam? With defenses not keying on the QB run, will that take away the inside running game of Michael Dyer and the speed sweep of Onterio McCalebb? Can Trotter throw the deep ball like Newton?
While Trotter may not be Cam Newton—but then again, who is?—he will be a solid SEC quarterback. Trotter pushed Newton to a draw last spring and coaches were not ready to name Newton the starter immediately after Spring Practice.
Trotter can run, and he has now been in the Gus Mahlzan offense for two years, and Mahlzan is a genius who will design the offense around the strengths of his new quarterback.
2. How Are We Going to Replace Four Senior Starters on the Offensive Line?
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The Auburn offensive line did not get the national recognition it deserved last year. But Auburn fans knew that Ziemba, Pugh, Berry, and Isom had a ton of starts and were going to be the strength of the team going into the year, and they did not disappoint.
With those four gone, who will block in 2010?
Brandon Mosley took over for the injured A.J. Greene and did not miss a beat and will most likely take over protection of the blind side next year. With Greene recovering nicely from his leg injury he can take over at the other tackle, but don't be surprised to see blue chip recruit Christian Westerman or Chad Slade.
Who Is Going to Make Up for the Early Departure of Darvin Adams?
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Who is going to replace Darvin Adams and Terrell Zachery at wide receiver?
A lot of Auburn fans were shocked when Darvin Adams declared for the NFL draft this year as it looked like he would be primed for a huge year next year. Who is going to replace Adams, as well as his often overlooked counterpart Terrell Zachery Kodi Burns.
Emory Blake developed into an All-SEC type receiver at the end of last year, and look for him to take over for Adams as the clutch receiver. If you believe Trooper Taylor and his statement that Deangelo Benton is going to break records while at Auburn, he better have a terriffc season starting next year, his Junior year.
Also, coaches rave about Trovon Reed, and look for him to be effective in the slots. And don't forget about Philip Lutzenkirchen. Winter, Carr, Kitchens, and Godwin add depth, and you know Trooper will have all of them blocking downfield if they want to play.
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4. Can Cody Parkey Replace Wes Byrum?
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Auburn fans have been spoiled for the last four years as Wes Byrum handled field goals.
He is most known for his gator chomping two kicks to beat the Gators as a freshman and kicking the winning field goal in the BCS Championship Game, but Wes Byrum was money throughout the season.
Cody Parker was the top kicker coming out of high school last year and got his feet wet on kickoffs this year, and the kicking game should be in good hands.
5. Can Jeffrey Whitaker Pick Up Where Nick Fairley Left Off?
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Auburn fans could see that Nick Fairley had talent in 2009, but who thought he would be a Lombardi Trophy Winner and a possible first pick in the NFL Draft? Fairly dominated the trenches last year, and how is he going to be replaced?
Jefferey Whitaker was a huge recruit last year with the reputation as being a guy who could plug the middle. Whitaker played a lot last year and look for him to step right in next year. Also, with talented Defensive Ends Corey Lemonier and Nosa Eguae putting pressure on the outside will help take the pressure of Whitaker.
Don't forget about signee Gabe Wright. He wore a "Nick Who?" hat to announce his signing with the Auburn Tigers!
6. What If Michael Dyer Gets Hurt?
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Mario Fannin is graduating, and the Tigers signed Tre Mason, so they still have the same number of running backs, but there is a legitimate concern about depth and many expected the Tigers to sign another running back. At first they thought they had one in Brent Calloway, but he switched again and signed with Bama.
While McCalleb, Mason, and possibly Anthony Morgan add depth, Dyer is the only one that can run inside and keep the defense honest. Although Mason ran inside in high school, whether or not he can do it in the SEC to provide a breather for Dyer or fill in for him if he gets hurt is a big question mark.
7. Will the Secondary Play Any Better?
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It is no secret that the Auburn Tigers were not exactly rock solid in pass coverage last year. With Desmond Washington and Zac Etheridge graduating, the Tigers must replace two starters.
Look for the Tigers to make great strides in the secondary next year. Mike McNeill played lights out in the BCS Championship Game, and look for him to be the leader of the defense next year. Neiko Thorpe is returning for his senior year, and look for talented Chris Davis to battle T'Sharvan Bell for the other corner. Jonathan Rose enrolled early, and along with other incoming freshman Erique Florence, Robensen Therezie, and Jermaine Whitehead will add depth and in the nickel package.
8. Who Will Replace Josh Bynes in the Middle?
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Josh Bynes was an iron man for the Tigers for the last two years. It seemed like he played almost every snap for the past two years and was the quarterback on defense. Who will replace him next year?
Look for Jake Holland to step in at the middle linebacker position next year. The Auburn coaching staff brought along this talented freshman very slowly last year, and by the end of the year you saw him on the field on some key plays last year.
With veterans Darren Bates and Eltoro Freeman on each side, Auburn will be just fine at linebacker next year.
9. Will There Be a Letdown After Winning the BCS National Championship?
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It is harder to stay on top than it is to get there. It is easier to be the hunter than the hunted.
Except for Kirk Herbstreit who picked the Tigers to win the SEC West last year, no one was picking the Tigers to win the SEC let alone the National Championship last year.
While many Auburn fans saw the potential to be good, most would admit they did not see a National Championship team.
10. What About That Schedule?
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One of the reasons Herbstreit liked the Tigers to win the West last year was the schedule.
Clemson, South Carolina, Arkansas, LSU, and Georgia were all at home with defending champs Alabama looming as the toughest road game and the only game they may not be favored to win.
That is turned around next year.
The Tigers must travel to Clemson, South Carolina, Arkansas, LSU, and Georgia. Florida replaces Kentucky on the SEC schedule. It is hard to see an inexperienced Auburn team, and any team for that matter, being able to go through that schedule unscathed.
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