re: Besides Alabama fans, who can state the best case for their team to win the SEC this year?

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It has to be AU. Anyone that says otherwise is only hoping. Right now, it's AU Why?

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Well, last year's team was second best in the sec. We return 15 starters in total from that team. The defense is, from what we've seen, going to be good enough to be a top 25 defense again. Even with the losses of Adams and Lawson, our defensive line depth is still crazy good. Guys like Marlon Davidson, Derrick Brown, and Antwuan Jackson are all there, with four and even five stars backing them up (Watch out for Paul James III this year as a pass rusher). Line backers return ALL the starters, giving us our most experienced and talented LB corps we've had in a long time. Our corners are also pretty good. Carlton Davis was an all sec freshman, with really talented guys like Javaris Davis, Jamal Dean, and young talent incoming. The most concerning thing about the defense is the lack of depth at safety. Tray Matthews, while really talented (and matured since he's come to AU) has had injuries in the past. He'll be alongside most likely Nick Ruffin, who's had a lot of experience.

Overall on defense, I'm expecting Steele to pick up right where he left off last year. AU had a top ten scoring defense, and had really good moments last season (limiting Clemson to 19, etc)


On the offensive side, we return the second most starts (experience) in the SEC on the offensive line. This line is so deep that it's been a struggle to know who should be the 1 guy I each position (I imagine this will be figured out by game 1, but if not there's Georgia Southern to figure things out). Watch out for Mike Horton, Braden Smith, Austin Golson and the like. Will be a very good offensive line (they'll get a great test week 2).

Wide receivers return everyone but tony stevens. We have a lot of young talented players, including Nate Craig-Meyers (he's going to have a breakout year... Stidham has great connection with him), Kyle Davis, Eli Stove, Noah Igbinoghene, Sal Cannella (JUCO transfer, lookout for this guy), as well as some experience with Ryan Davis. Also, theres this guy

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Running backs return our duo, Kerryon Johnson and Bubba Kam Pettway. The good thing is our offense will utilize both starting game one... unlike last year (Pettway didn't touch the ball against Clemson )

Offensively, we brought in Chip Lindsey from ASU to help our offense. He's a more pass oriented guy, but I don't see Auburn shying from the run. We'll still be a run first offense, but with more quick passes and deep throws.

Finally, the biggest addition to this team is Jarret Stidham. Whether you view him as untested is up to you, but one thing is for sure. The guy was meant to play football. He has the most accurate arm (and strong too boot) I've seen at Auburn. Yes, that includes Cam. No, I'm not saying he's Cam's level. I'm just saying he's accurate as frick. He has been a great team leader this year, and I know the guys have rallied around him and believe in him.

Auburn fans, for all their faults in preseason hype, aren't simply delusional about this team. There really is a reason to think that we'll be in contention come Iron Bowl time.


Regardless, I cannot wait.