SEC West Previews: Q&A with WarBlogle (Auburn)

Sep 14, 2013; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers tight end C.J. Uzomah (81) celebrates the game-winning touchdown against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Jordan Hare Stadium. The Tigers defeated the Bulldogs 24-20. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports

The folks at WarBlogle.com were kind enough to answer a few of our questions about the Tigers this year…

1. I remember listening to your podcast on War Eagle Sports Radio last fall before the AUB/MSU game and you said you didn’t see why Auburn couldn’t win 10-11 games that year, despite “experts” saying it was maybe a 6 win year for the Tigers. I have to commend you for seeing what others didn’t at the time. That said, do you have expectations of a similar season in 2014 with Auburn contending for a spot in the College Football Playoff?

"I do. I just don’t see any drop off from 2013 to 2014. Yes, Tre Mason and Greg Robinson will be tough to replace, but I believe last year showed that Gus Malzahn’s offense is truly plug and play. Not to say that those guys weren’t extremely talented, but I feel like a good amount of their success came from the system. And if a one year turnaround shows you anything, it shows that this system wins.The defense should do nothing but improve, although the loss of Carl Lawson for at least a good portion of the season will hurt.The only major negative I see is the schedule. We get a strong South Carolina at home, and both Georgia and Alabama on the road for the first time ever. That is going to be very difficult regardless of the fact that they will both be replacing QBs.The reserved homer in me still sees 10 wins minimum."

2. Considering Gus Malzahn’s first year was one of the greatest turnarounds in college football history and Auburn has a penchant for firing coaches after their first losing season, do you have any fear that Auburn fans will end up with unreasonable expectations for Malzahn’s tenure going forward?

"No. I’ve never really thought that Auburn fans have ever been the type to get too excited about upcoming expectations. We’ve seen the highest of highs but the lowest of lows in a 3 year span. That swing has kept us pretty reserved in the expectation department.That being said, most Auburn fans love Malzahn wholeheartedly. I don’t think I could say the same for Chizik or Tuberville. There was always a portion of the fanbase that could never be won over. Plus, at the time they were fired/let go, Alabama was on an obvious upswing and Auburn was trending downward. Auburn shouldn’t be trending downward again anytime soon."

3. Losing LT Greg Robinson, who was the 2nd pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, is a huge blow to the offensive line, but this year’s group is still expected to perform well in the SEC returning four starters. Is there any concern that Robinson’s departure may shed some light on weaknesses that he covered up last year?

"Patrick Miller and Shon Coleman will be the two fighting for Robinson’s spot. Miller started a few games on the other side of the line last year, while Coleman is a former 5-star recruit who was sidelined while battling leukemia. Both are very able to come in hold down the left side. I’m not saying it will be easy to replace Robinson because he was a beast, but again, the system works. It hides weaknesses itself."

4. Defensively, what is Auburn’s strength and weakness?

"The defensive line is the obvious strength even with Carl Lawson out. There are about 8 guys that rotated all last season and got good game experience. Gabe Wright and Jeff Whitaker (coming off a medical redshirt year) will be the senior leaders, but there are sophomores that played as freshman that are able as well.Auburn’s overall weakness has been linebacker. There hasn’t been strong linebacker play since 2010 with Josh Bynes in the middle. However, Kris Frost and freshman Tre Williams should help bring the Tigers linebacking corps back to glory."

5. The Auburn/Mississippi State game has been really close the last sevens seasons. State fans see this as a swing game that could really turn the season from good to great. With MSU coming off a bye, Auburn coming off LSU and it being in Starkville, how do you see this matchup?

"It’s a little strange with the game being later than the 3rd game of the season this year. This matchup had been the first SEC test for both teams for a few years. Honestly, and you’re not gonna like this, but that’s the only reason I think this game as been close the past few years. It’s been a game that will be the litmus test for the rest of the season, so both teams are still trying to figure out what they have.Mississippi State looks at this game as a season changer, while those games for Auburn don’t happen until LSU, Georgia, and Alabama. In most of the past seasons, while this game was close, Auburn usually ended up with a better record in the long run, leading me to believe that if this game was played around the 8th or 9th game that season, Auburn would have won by much more.Given that Auburn will have played on the road at Kansas State, and played against LSU-power before they get Mississippi State, they’ll be way past the “figuring out” stage, and honestly, Auburn shouldn’t have much figuring out to do this season anyway.Being in Starkville will keep it closer than Auburn fans would like, but I don’t see it as tough as past years."