Will the Auburn Tigers Roar on the Gridiron in 2007?

For Tommy Tubberville and the Auburn Tigers it will start at QB, where Brandon Cox returns. Keeping Cox healthy will be a major concern and essentially the KEY to the 2007 football season. When Auburn takes to the air their likely targets will be Rod Smith and Montez Billings at WR, however it will be the TIGHT END position where Auburn makes some noise. Cole Bennett and Tommy Trott give the Tigers a wealth of talent to spurn on the intermediate passing game.

When Cox turns and hands the football off it will be to Brad Lester, Mario Fannin, and Tristan Davis. While none appear to be of the Kenny Irons, Ronnie Brown, or Cadillac Williams class of recent Auburn running backs, they are gifted enough to give the Tigers a solid threat running the football. Of course, their ability to do so will depend on the production of the offensive line, which returns only one starter: King Dunlap at left tackle. Tyronne Green Jason Bosley, Leon Hart, and Andrew McCain are just a few of many names to look for in 2007.

Things appear the brightest on the defensive side of the football for the Tigers. The front line should be quite formidable with Sen'Derrick Marks and Quentin Groves at the end positions and Josh Thompson manning the nose. Pat Sims will line up beside Thompson to hopefully give the Tigers a staunch underbelly and a group that runs well to the football.

There is some work to do at LB where only Merrill Johnson returns. His running mates are likely to be Patrick Trahan and Steve Gandy. Auburn has a trio of terror in the secondary where Eric Brock and Aairon Savage return to their safety posts and Jonathan Wilhite is back at one corner post.

Tubberville has had a mercurial relationship with Auburn kickers in the past and the newest duo of specialists appear to be Wesley Byrum and Ryan Shoemaker at placekicker and punter respectively.

CONCLUSION: Auburn has an absolutely brutal road schedule with Florida, LSU, and Georgia being three abysmal destinations to try and win in. The home slate is not exactly risk-free with Alabama and South Florida posing threats to Tigers holding serve at home, which they will need to do with such a brutal road slate.