re: How good will Auburn be next year?

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AU needs 3 things to be good. An experienced veteran offensive line, a good QB, and a good schedule. Stidham is a good QB and will probably be even better next year. But, they lose 3 senior starters on the OL and 2 senior backups if the link below is accurate. Playing Bama and UGA on the road makes the schedule difficult. Just spit balling here but I think they have another 8-4 type year. 2017 AU Depth Chart

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The offensive line had some good moments this year, which I'm sure was due to experience. But they also got owned way too many times (Clemson, Mercer ((seriously)), LSU 2nd half, Georgia in SECCG, and UCF). While some of those teams that bested us were certainly talented, a group of senior starting offensive linemen should have at least matched them at the line of scrimmage.

We have higher rated players behind them, but they're green.

One of my biggest concerns for next season is pass protection at the running back position. Supposedly Cam Martin was absolutely terrible at it, which is why he saw limited action on the field. Further, Stidham freaks out when the pocket starts collapsing, so it's of the utmost importance that we put together a good line and RB that can pass protect for the opening game.