Welcome to the Fierce 40 series of my 2015 College Football Rankings, where I will be counting down the top 40 ranked teams in the NCAA. Today I will be analyzing the Auburn Tigers, 8 overall for the 2015 college football season.

I will be releasing one NCAA team preview per day, providing my analysis on each team in the top 40 rankings. There will be a focus on every key area of each college football team, thereby determining my overall ranking, with an emphasis on future NFL Draft prospects. Stay tuned.

Previous articles in the Fierce 40 college football rankings series can be found here.

#8 Auburn Tigers

2014 Recap:

Auburn had a bit of a down season at 8-5, but every loss came against a ranked opponent. The season culminated in consecutive losses against Alabama 55-44, a year after “The Return” and the miracle win as well as losing to Wisconsin 34-31 in OT during the Outback Bowl. This was a top 20 football team overall, it just goes to show one just how tough the SEC is these days, as the Tigers went 4-4 in the conference.

Coaching:

Gus Malzahn is 20-7 in two seasons at Auburn. While Malzahn is a competent and accomplished coach, the focus seems to be on new defensive coordinator Will Muschamp. Muschamp comes aboard after being the head coach of the division foe Florida Gators. Muschamp is a defensive wizard, and his problems at Florida were on the other side of the football. Rhett Lashlee leads an offense that ranked 16th nationally and 25th in scoring during 2015.

Offensive Analysis

Quarterbacks/Running Backs:

Jeremy Johnson starts the season as the starting quarterback, and while seeing action in a total of seven games last year his performances were impressive and off the charts. Johnson is a departure from Nick Marshall in that his legs will not be his primary weapon. At 6’5” and 230 pounds, Johnson is built more like the departed Cam Newton or Jason Campbell. Johnson is the type of player who will more than likely throw a lot of TDs, but the interceptions will be there as well. Jovon Robinson takes over for Cameron Artis-Payne (now with the Carolina Panthers in the NFL). Robinson was the JUCO Player of the Year. Expect big things out of him, as by the middle of the season he will be fully acclimated to being an Auburn Tiger.

Best Draft Prospect: N/A.

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends:

With Duke Williams, Auburn has a receiver who has a shot at being the first taken at the position in 2016. Williams stayed for his senior season, and although we are not as high on him he will be a high pick and has the looks of an elite receiver at the next level. 45-730-5 were all numbers that led the Tigers a year ago, and he is one of only three returning offensive players that started on last years team that is back in 2016. Ricardo Lewis and Marcus Davis will be the other starters, and they combined for 34-352-4 last season. Auburn will use three wide receivers in many formations and will go without a primary tight end in many of their sets.

Best Draft Prospect: Duke Williams WR 2nd Round 2016.

Offensive Line:

Without a doubt this is the area on offense where Auburn excels. This unit, while strong, seems to get overlooked due to some units that attract more attention like Alabama and Arkansas. Alex Kozan is back after a back injury sidelined him for all of last season, but the guard is back and ready to assume his role as the best lineman on the Tigers roster. Fellow junior, tackle Shon Coleman, has struggled with consistency, but he also seems poised for a strong and breakout season. Avery Young is back at right tackle, as this group will show why they tend to be better run blockers then pass protectors.

Best Draft Prospect: Alex Kozan OG 2nd Round 2017.

Defensive Analysis

Defensive Line:

The biggest problem with the defense a season ago was the failure of any consistent pass rush. Auburn only sacked opponents 21 times and had nobody register over four on the team. Most of the big plays came from the linebackers except for consistent pressure up the middle provided by Montravius Adams. Adams reached the quarterback three times while registering an additional 17 quarterback hurries. DeVontae Lambert is the only other starter back along the line. Auburn will go between 3-4 and 4-3 sets with their “BUCK” position which is a hybrid that can play in either spot.

Best Draft Prospect: Montravius Adams DT 3rd Round 2017.

Linebackers:

Here is where it all starts for Auburn with a pair of fantastic prospects in Cassanova McKinzy and Kris Frost. This pair were the only players that registered double digits in tackles for loss with 11 and 10 respectively. JaVier Mitchell will occupy the other full-time linebacker position with Carl Lawson acting as the “BUCK”. The linebackers only average 238 pounds, so speed is what Auburn needs and what they rely on to excel.

Best Draft Prospect: Kris Frost LB 3rd Round 2016.

Secondary:

There is terrific starting talent in the secondary, but depth has to be looked at as a great concern. Jonathan Jones is as good as they come, and he tied for the team lead with six interceptions a season ago. Jones will be looked at with returning corner Joshua Holsey to hold the back line together. New starter Tray Matthews will be starting at safety, and he could be the key to Auburn and their success. Matthews is a very underrated player who takes some chances at time but will jump some routes and get his share of interceptions.

Best Draft Prospect: Jonathan Jones CB 2nd Round 2016.

Special Teams

Daniel Carlson is back to handle both the kicking and punting duties. The most impressive stat about Carlson may have been his 50 touchbacks a season ago, a number that ranked 2nd at the FBS level. Johnathan Ford and Marcus Davis should serve as the kickoff and punt returners respectively.

Best Draft Prospect: N/A.

2015 Schedule

Auburn needs a good showing against a tough Louisville team out of the gate before starting on the road in the SEC with LSU. Georgia and Alabama will both be home games, as the majority of games at Jordan-Hare Stadium come down the stretch this season.

Draft Prospects & Outlook

Duke Williams looks like the crown jewel in the upcoming draft, but Jonathan Jones could still be a main attraction at cornerback despite standing 5’10”. Alex Cozan and Shon Coleman give Auburn a few lineman for next season, while seniors Kris Frost and Cassanova McKinzy will represent the Tigers on defense during the middle rounds.

NCAA & College Football Chat

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