So Auburn will suck next year (long)

Everyone is convinced because of who we are losing. I don't buy it. Everyone is losing key players of various impact..Of course Auburn will take a step back but let's look at this for a sec. (in retrospect this ended up being very long and I did it mostly because I wanted to see it broken down on one page so FWIW)

Probably keeping the ENTIRE coaching staff...having Malzahn back is huge.

Biggest loss: O-Line
Gone: Ziemba, Berry, Isom and Pugh
Back: OT AJ Green (starter until injured), OT B. Mosely starter, OG Jared Cooper (top back up, plenty of play for 3 seasons), OT John Sullen (top back up for 2 seasons, lots of minutes), C Blake Burgess (back up C, played all garbage time), OG Eric Mack 4* RFR, OT Ed Christian RFR..coaches very high on him, OG Tunde Fariyike RFR, huge road grader and while Auburn is not done yet in OL recruiting, possible contributing true freshman will be OT/OG Greg Robinson, C Reese Dismukes and OG Thomas O'Reilly. Recall Ziemba, Pugh and a guy named Marcus McNeil were all VERY effective true freshman. Dropoff here, yes...but dropping to 5th or 6th place in the West? Wrong answer.

2nd biggest loss: QB (Cam)
You can't replace Cam...his ability to either run or pass effectively, draw attention from other playmakers and as a leader cannot be replaced...but if you are hanging your hat on Auburn sucking at QB, recall that the starter between BT and CN was not decided until well after the spring. BT is also an athlete...he runs very well. Think Steven Garcia with a better arm...or John Parker Wilson. Also, #4 ranked QB Kiehl Frazier may have something to say about that. Big drop off? OF COURSE...but with other play makers the offense does not have to be so QB-centric...see Tulsa and Arky with DM and FJ.

3rd biggest loss: DL
Losses: Nick Fairley, Antoine Carter, Zach Clayton, Michael Goggins and Mike Blanc
Returning and adding:DE Nosa Eguae (starter), DE Dee Ford (solid 2nd string, played well and played a lot), DE Corey Lemonier, solid back up, showed flashes of brilliance 5*, DE Craig Sanders (played a lot but mostly special teams) 4*, DE Joel Bonomolo, JC redshirted 4*, DT Jeffrey Whitaker, lots of minutes, played well 4*, Kenneth Carter, redshirted 4*, there are others that will provide depth but lookout for huge physical freak 300 lb RB turned DT Ladarious Phillips. True Freshman Jabrian Niles, Angelo Blackson, Ray Drew? Gabe Wright? may contribute early as well.

4th, push. This unit was so bad and Auburn is laden with young talent, I don't see this being a drop off at all.
Losses: S Zach Etheridge, S Aairon Savage, CB Demond Washington
Returning: CB Neiko Thorpe (not sure if this is a good thing and do not expect him to start), CB T'Sharvan Bell starter, S Mike McNeil starter, CB Chris Davis, played but I think redshirted 4*, S Demetruce McNeil (made possibly game saving tackle in MNC game)3*, CB Jonathan Mincy 3*, CB Ryan White, got good minutes 3*, S Ryan Smith 3*, true freshman likely contributers: CB Jonathan Rose 4*, S Erique Florence 5*, CB Robinson Therezie 4*, S Marcus Roberson 4*.

5th, push: LB
losing Josh Bynes and Craig Stevens
Returning: Eltorro Freeman, Darren Bates, Jonathan Evans, Jake Holland 4*, Jessel Curry 4*, Harris Gaston, LaDarious Owens 4*. True Freshman possible contributers: Brent Calloway (RB or LB) 5*, Justin Garrett 4*, Chris Landrum 3* (underrated).

6th, gain for AU: WR
Losses: Terrell Zachary
Returning/adding: Darvin Adams, Emory Blake, Q.Carr, Travante Stallworth (forgot about him? You will remember), DeAngelo Benton, Jay Wisner, Trovon Reed, Antonio Goodwin, unless there are big surprises, expect redshirts all around

7th, gain for AU: RB/H-back
Losses: Mario Fannin
Returning: Michael Dyer, Onterrio McCalleb, Eric Smith, Phillip Lutzenkirchen, Shaun Kitchens, possible contributing true freshmen: Quan Bray, Brent Calloway, Huggins? Mason? Fulse?

K-lost clutch Wes Byrum...but adding #1 K in the nation last year in Cody Parkey.

P-should improve with Steven Clark.

This is my order for the West


1. Bama: I think it is fair to expect Bama to improve on both sides of the ball and be the consensus pick for the West and thus, the SEC
2. LSU: They should improve on both sides of the ball as well but we haven't a clue if or when ZM will be effective and without that, I don't see how all of the sudden you can expect stellar or even effective QB play...too solid everywhere else though not to pick as #2
3a. Arkansas: I can't remember that guy's name but I would feel pretty good about Vanilla Ice's replacement at QB...Knile Davis coming back, etc..
3b. Auburn: see above
5. MSU: Sorry state...you are not there yet. One dimensional offense and good (but not great) defense does not put you near the top of the best division in college football.
6. Ole Miss: Goodbye Houston Nutt.