2015
Auburn Football
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Odds and Schedule
Auburn didn’t finish 2014 where they expected with five losses (bowl Game included). That’s what tends to happen in the SEC if your team lacks in one specific area. The Tigers had a terrible defense and they were exposed in every one of their losses a year ago, including the regular season finale as they gave up 55 points at Alabama. The addition of coordinator Will Muschamp should change that, though, and that was evident in the spring Game. Sure, they might not be the best in the country, but expect a much-improved unit, which is why Auburn is on a lot of preseason top 5 lists.
Auburn is listed at odds of 18-1 to win the National Championship and a tad over 4 to 1 to win the SEC. Their odds to make the 4 team playoff are +275 and they are currently listed as -11.5 point favorites over Louisville for their September 5th Game in Atlanta. All odds are available at 5 dimes sportsbook. (note this article was written in April and odds change!)
The other reason is that no drop-off is expected on the offensive end even with Nick Marshall gone. Jeremy Johnson will takeover at quarterback and there’s no shortage of hype for the junior after he saw limited time the last two seasons. The offense may look a little different as Johnson probably won’t run as much, but his arm may be just as good or better than Marshall’s. Combine that with receiver D’haquille Williams, who should be in for a huge season, along with a decent running attack from JUCO transfer Jovon Robinson and Roc Thomas, and this offense looks set, as long as the line doesn’t fall off. They have to replace two starters, but should overcome that.
The defense is all the rage at Auburn going into this season, mainly because they were so bad last year. There are quotes coming out of spring such as, “The defense is going to be one of the greatest the world’s ever seen coming out of Auburn University,” said Tray Matthews, a safety who transferred from Georgia, and won MVP at Auburn’s spring Game.
While that is quite the statement, there is no lack of confidence with this team to say the least. The defense will be improved, and not only because of a different scheme. Top players Carl LAwson and Jonathan Jones are on track to be ready for the season. LAwson missed all of 2014, while Jones was dealing with a foot injury for most of spring practices. The secondary was brutalized last season and that should change with Muschamp around. They have the talent to become a formidable group. Maybe the biggest question is if they can adapt quickly enough to the new scheme. So far, so good.
Auburn opens the season with a neutral Game against Louisville, but the bigger test will be in their third Game as they travel to LSU. A win there would be huge, but it’ll be a tall task. If their defense is playing at a high level, one would think that Johnson and company could Scoreenough points. But a lot can change. It doesn’t help that they have to play Mississippi State the next weekend. The Tigers get a real rough stretch in the second half of the season that includes Arkansas, Ole Miss, Texas A&M and Georgia in Four straight weekends. And the good news is that they host Alabama this year. Going undefeated is a stretch for anyone these days, but if Auburn’s defense can do a 180, they have the offense to do it.
2015 Auburn Football Schedule
Sept. 5 vs. Louisville (Georgia Dome)
Sept 12 vs. Jacksonville State
Sept. 19 at LSU
Sept. 26 vs. Mississippi State
Oct. 3 vs. San Jose State
Oct. 15 at Kentucky
Oct. 24 at Arkansas
Oct. 31 vs. Ole Miss
Nov. 7 at Texas A&M
Nov. 14 vs. Georgia
Nov. 21 vs. Idaho
Nov. 28 vs. Alabama