Auburn Football: Can Tigers Increase Their Wins in 2012?

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A year after combining for one offensive touchdown against Alabama and LSU last season, Auburn will be in danger of being shut out by the better defenses in the league. If that’s the case, Auburn is probably closer to missing a bowl game than it is to winning more than eight.

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Due to the upgrades on the coaching staff and the development of elite recruiting classes, this team should be improved in 2012. It just may not show up in the win column. Auburn was lucky get wins over South Carolina and Florida and failed to even compete with the better teams in the league — losing by a total of 125 points to Alabama, LSU, Arkansas and Georgia(lol). Those four games will once again be brutal tests but at least the Bayou Bengals, Hogs and Dawgs have to visit Auburn this year. Clemson is again on the schedule as well, so another 8-5 (4-4) season is likely

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In order to improve on last year’s eight wins, Auburn needs to pull a few upsets along the way. The Tigers will likely be underdogs in the season opener against Clemson and heads to Mississippi State in Week 2. It’s not out of the question to think Auburn could start 0-2. Games against LSU, Arkansas, Georgia and Alabama would appear to be loses and a trip to Vanderbilt isn’t a guaranteed win.

Auburn is recruiting well, but there are too many question marks to expect a run at the SEC West title. I could see the Tigers finishing the regular season with an 8-4 mark, but would be surprised if they won more than eight games.

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New defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder has plenty of starters returning, led by All-SEC end Corey Lemonier and linebacker Daren Bates. Auburn will be an interesting team with a talented roster, but a tough schedule put the forecast at 7-5 for the regular season.

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