By: Christian Goeckel

TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services

Gus Malzahn and the Auburn Tigers enter 2017 in an interesting position.

With the transfer signing of quarterback Jarrett Stidham and the return of the SEC’s leading rusher, Kamryn Pettway, the Tiger’s are optimistic they can revive their offense.

On defense, the Tigers face the unenviable task of replacing 3rd round pick, Montravious Adams and 4th round pick, Carl Lawson. Tray Matthews should step in as the emotional and vocal leader of the unit, but the jury is still out on if this defense can withstand a pretty brutal gauntlet of opposing offenses.

Just like with any team, Auburn has plenty of question marks. Do they have enough answers to stand up to LSU and Alabama?

Who’s coming back?

Offense: Auburn returns nine starters on offense this year, including the dynamic running back tandem of Kam Pettway and Kerryon Johnson. The duo combined for an outstanding 2,119 yards on the ground in 2016. Those numbers should only improve if new QB Jarrett Stidham can open up the field with the deep passing game.

Gone is leading receiver, Tony Stevens. I say “leading receiver” in the most apathetic way possible, as Stevens only accumulated 487 yards through the air and the next best was over a hundred yards behind him.

To say the passing game was weak last year would be like saying Nick Saban takes his football serious. Rising sophomores Darius Slayton and Kyle Davis will be leaned upon heavily, but showed promise last year.

The line is the best unit on the team. Redshirt Senior Darius James is the corner stone of a group made up completely of upper classmen. At least two of these guys will be picked in the first three rounds next year, and will be paving the way on the Flats all season.

Defense: On defense, Auburn returns seven starters. Adams and Lawson are gone, and that can’t be understated. Pass rush is a major question, but Auburn can take solace in the fact that it’s secondary and linebacking corps are rock solid.

Senior Tre’ Williams returns at inside linebacker to lead a group that could be the most underrated in the conference.

In the secondary, Seniors Tray Matthews and Stephon Roberts will be shutting down quarterbacks and stuffing running backs with reckless abandon.

If the secondary can hold up long enough for the pass rush to find its’ stride, this could be a very good bunch.

Biggest thing that has to happen to have a great season? Gus Malzahn and Chip Lindsey find a groove: Make no mistake, this is still Gus Malzahn’s offense, but Chip Lindsey was brought in from Arizona State to open up the passing game and bring it back from the laughing stock it has been since Nick Marshall left.

If the brilliance of Gus’ running attack can blend with Lindsey’s aerial attack, Auburn’s offense could be elite.

Biggest thing that could spell disaster for Auburn? Stidham isn’t the savior: Jarrett Stidham is in an unenviable position.

Not since the days of Cam Newton has a quarterback had as much preseason pressure thrusted upon him on the Flats as Stidham has.

The worst thing that could happen to Auburn is if he’s just… ok. If Stidham doesn’t come out and light it up, Malzahn might regress to his old habit and hop back on the quarterback carousel. If this happens, prepare for another seven or eight win season on the Flats.

Expect Stidham to be somewhere in the middle, between Messiah and bust. The Tigers have two great backs to lean on, and will be solid on defense.

A bunch of things have to fall their way to make it to Atlanta, and don’t count on them happening. This will be a good season for Auburn fans, but probably not the great one they’re getting their hopes up for.

Prediction: 8 – 4        Outback Bowl