Auburn Football: Chick-fil-A Bowl News and Updates

The No. 25 Auburn Tigers (7-5, 4-4) will take on the Virginia Cavaliers (8-4, 5-3) on Dec. 31 in Atlanta. The Tigers are looking to finish the season on a high note and with a third straight bowl victory. The Tigers are entering their third season under Gene Chizik, and he has led the Tigers to three consecutive winning seasons.

Auburn will be looking to push through numerous distractions that they have faced this offseason on their way to a bowl victory. The Virginia Cavaliers have had a very successful season under second-year coach Mike London, with a stingy defense being the key to the Cavaliers' success.

Auburn has been struggling all season offensively, so facing a stout defense is not a recipe for success for the Tigers. Auburn will need to find a mix of options that provide a spark against the Cavaliers. At this point, the flame looks to be fading on this 2011 Tigers offense.

Auburn will have a few different looks come Dec. 31, as a few changes have swept over the Plains in the past few weeks. Here is a look at the Tigers and the latest happenings with the program as bowl week approaches.

Defensive Coordinator Search

The Tigers entered bowl preparation practice this Monday with numerous questions swirling around about the defensive coordinator position. The Auburn defense is currently being led by head coach Gene Chizik as they wait for the hiring of a new coordinator.

The two names that have been rumored to have been contacted are Everett Withers and Mark Stoops. Both are big names, but both will be tough pulls. Luring Stoops away from Florida State will be a tall order, and Withers is rumored to be joining Urban Meyer’s staff at Ohio State.

If those names are no longer in the mix, it would not be a surprise to see the Tigers bring in Joe Whitt Jr. from Green Bay and let him learn the position under Chizik. Whitt Jr. looks like he'd be a great hire, it would simply be a leap of faith on an unproven coordinator.

Gus Malzahn Gone?

As if losing one coordinator wasn’t enough for the Tigers this offseason, the Arkansas State Red Wolves look to be courting Gus Malzahn pretty heavily. Malzahn is rumored to be the leading candidate to fill the position, and it looks like he is likely going back to his home state.

Who would replace Malzahn is unknown, but Chizik stated earlier this week that a plan was in place if Malzahn were to leave. This is something that is expected and was expected, but after this season it's looking like Malzahn would have to have one more season to prove his worth.

When Malzahn does leave for another school, it will be interesting to see what direction the Tigers move in offensively. They would most likely move back to a more traditional downhill running style. The spread may be seeing its final days at Auburn.

Arkansas State offers a sure pay drop, but the opportunity to become a head coach and the chance to go back home has to be alluring for Malzahn. It would be a surprise to see him not end up in Jonesboro.

***Malzahn officially gone for Arkansas State ***

Chizik Brings Intensity

The Tigers have been anything but disciplined in their assignments this season, and that will likely change during the bowl preparation. Chizik has taken over the role of the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach and has likely found himself back in his element.

Chizik brings a unique focus to the defensive players and gives the rare experience of receiving one-on-one coaching from the head coach. Chizik is taking the defense personally for the bowl game, and it's likely there will be some improvement in the season finale in Atlanta.

Michael Dyer Gone Until …

There is apparently no timetable on the return of Michael Dyer to the Auburn football team. Chizik has been known for his tough love of his players, and Dyer has obviously found this out the hard way. To be suspended for the bowl game is one thing, but if Dyer misses time in the spring there may be a bigger issue at hand.

The downside for Dyer is that if he does miss any of the spring period, the Tigers will likely have found a replacement. Auburn has a stable of talented running backs waiting for the chance to take over the top spot in the offense.

With Malzahn leaving, who knows what Dyer will choose to do. If he wants to have a great collegiate career, however, he needs to finish his time in Auburn.

Where Do the Tigers Go from here?

Now that the Tigers have lost two coordinators before the final game of the season, Chizik must move fast to find some replacements. Sure, the Tigers are in the heat of bowl preparation, but the sooner he can find replacements the better.

These Tigers will likely stick to their spread scheme for the bowl game, and the defense is likely to run a basic 4-3. I would expect the Tigers to execute better defensively, but offensively the Tigers may be somewhat lost.

To be honest, it will be difficult for the Tigers to be much worse offensively. It will be interesting to see how these developments turn out for the Tigers come game day.