Mike Marshall : Defense Will Tell Auburns Story

Yet, Malzahn’s hurryup, no-huddle offense is still regarded as cutting-edge football, something to be feared by his opponents. And that fear, really, is what this season is about, in many ways.

Auburn, indeed, has a chance to be the bully again. It was already there on offense, as exemplified by the failed movement to slow down Malzahn’s tempo, but was deficient on defense. Malzahn began to remedy that situation with the best possible answer, the addition of perhaps the most demonstrative and intense defensive coach in the country, Will Muschamp.

There is the sense that change is coming - major change, the kind that could be productive and lasting. That is another reason for the anticipation.

Phillip Marshall : Auburn's Record Will Be......

I don’t have a crystal ball, but I know what I believe. And here it is:

* Auburn will have one of the better offensive lines it has had in recent years. Junior left tackle Shon Coleman, oft-criticized last season, will be a big part of that.

* Junior right tackle Avery Young is a big-time player who has not gotten the attention he deserves.

* Jeremy Johnson really is the real deal at quarterback.

* Whoever emerges as the starter, Roc Thomas, Peyton Barber and Jovon Robinson are a very talented trio of running backs.

* I can’t remember the last time Auburn was so deep at wide receiver. I look for Johnson to spread the ball around much more than Nick Marshall did the past two seasons.

* Defensive coordinator Will Muschamp will find ways to get pressure on quarterbacks. It’s in his DNA.

* Defensive tackle Montravius Adams, close enough now to reach out and touch the NFL, will take his game to another level.

* Jonathan Jones will be an All-SEC caliber cornerback and Rudy Ford will be an All-SEC caliber safety.

* Cornerback Blake Countess will make a significant contribution in his only Auburn season.

* The linebackers should be fine as long as no one gets hurt. Lose a player or two and things could get shaky.

* The starters in the secondary are as talented across the board as Auburn has had in some time.

* Having three freshmen in the playing rotation in the secondary can’t help but raise questions. But Muschamp has a history of playing freshmen and seeing them succeed.

* Daniel Carlson will be one of the SEC’s top kickers.

* By the end of the season, Auburn’s defense will be the best it’s been since the Tommy Tuberville days, but there will be some rocky times early.

* Gus Malzahn's third Auburn team will get steadily better over the course of the season.

Add it all up and what do you get? A team with a lot going for it that also needs to find good answers to some questions and get production from some rookies.

My guess is that the Tigers find enough answers to go 10-2 and play for the SEC championship.

Mike Marshall : What Will it Take to Win a Championship?

Here's a possibility that should excite any Auburn loyalist: If Auburn is a prolific rushing team - and there's every reason to believe it will be- imagine the possibilities if the opposition is forced to stack the tackle box. With one-on-one coverage with this group of receivers and Jeremy Johnson at quarterback, Auburn's passing game has a chance to be one of the best in school history.

I'll say Auburn goes 11-1 and returns to Atlanta for the Southeastern Conference Championship Game.

The difference will be a defense that should be better than most anyone anticipates.

Phillip Marshall : For Your Eyes Only

“It’s amazing how Jeremy (Johnson) has won the respect and trust of his teammates. That says as much about him as a person as it does as a player. He’s had a good camp. He needs to be more consistently accurate. It’s not like he’s been wild, but he has missed some throws he should be able to make.”

“Duke Williams looks like a man on a mission. And watch out for Jason Smith. He’s electrifying.”

1 on 1 with Gus Malzahn : Why JJ is similar to Cam Newton and 2015 is like 2013

We've seen multiple 40-yard times reported for Jeremy Johnson. One report had him running as fast as 4.51, which would make him the fastest quarterback you've ever coached. You have said it's near 4.6. What kind of speed does he have?

Malzahn: He can run. He's somewhere around that area. I'd say him and Cam (Newton) are similar as far as speed. As far as speed, I think they're very similar.

Jeremy Johnson is the first quarterback you've had on the college level for a third year. Does that make you more confident?

Malzahn: I'm comfortable, I'll tell you that. I'm comfortable with him and I'm confident within him and the skills. I've got respect for him, and so do our coaches and players. Probably the way he handled the situation the last two years. He could have played for the majority of teams in college football. You never heard any stories about him wanting to transfer or being unhappy. He's a great competitor, and the way he handled that, he has a lot of respect around this building.