By just about every standard, Auburn had a very good 2003 season. By the standards set by many publications and SEC fans, the Tigers fell far short starting out with a resounding thud against USC in the opener and making things worse with a stunning 17-3 loss to Georgia Tech.
In retrospect, only that loss to the Yellow Jackets should sting. The other four losses came to co-national champions, USC and LSU, to a great Georgia team, and against Ole Miss with the victory slipping through Ben Obomanu's fingers. But that's hardly solace for a team loaded with one of the nation's best defensive front sevens and a running back corps full of NFL talent.
Now Auburn is the hunter instead of the hunted, and things should be far different. This is still a good team with almost all of the key pieces returning to a rehabbed offense and one of the best secondaries in the SEC. There are holes and concerns needing major replacements in the linebacking corps while hoping for QB Jason Campbell and the receiving corps to be more explosive. Everything should all turn out fine with good players ready to step in and with the pressure off. In other words, last year's Auburn team was a bit overrated and this year's team is flying under the radar. That's just the way the team wants it.
The Schedule: Step one to reverse the problems of last year will be to hold serve at home. If Auburn can win games against LSU, Arkansas and Georgia in Jordan-Hare, there's a good chance it'll be an SEC West title season. The non-conference slate is a joke going against UL Monroe, The Citadel and Louisiana Tech.
Best Offensive Player: Senior RB Carnell Williams. The Cadillac went on a Heisman caliber tear last year and will be the among the nation's best backs again this year. He'll combine with Ronnie Brown to form an NFL scout's dream backfield.
Best Defensive Player: Senior CB Carlos Rogers. The nation finally took notice in the Music City Bowl when he did a great job on Wisconsin's Lee Evans. Now he'll be among the leading candidates for All-America honors and the Thorpe Award while positioning himself to be a first round draft pick.
Key player to a successful season: The defensive front seven loses Dontarrious Thomas, Karlos Dansby, DeMarco McNeil, Reggie Torbor and Spencer Johnson. The line should turn out to be fine, but there's a concern about the linebacking corps with Travis Williams the lone returning starter. Mayo Sowell needs to shine in the middle while Kevin Sears has to take over for Dansby on the strongside.
The season will be a success if ... Auburn wins the SEC West. Beating Georgia in the SEC championship game (if the Dawgs get there) will be a lot to ask, but the Tigers have the schedule to win the West with LSU, Arkansas and Georgia coming to the Plains.
Key game: Sept. 18 vs. LSU. With Ole Miss losing Eli Manning and Arkansas and Alabama looking a bit down, this will be the battle for the West title. At least it will be the showdown for the driver's seat. This will be one of the must-see games of the early part of the season.
2003 Fun Stats:
- Touchdown runs: Auburn 32 - Opponents 8
- Interceptions and return yards: Auburn 11 for 39 yards - Opponents 9 for 169
- First half scoring: Auburn 197 - Opponents 90
In retrospect, only that loss to the Yellow Jackets should sting. The other four losses came to co-national champions, USC and LSU, to a great Georgia team, and against Ole Miss with the victory slipping through Ben Obomanu's fingers. But that's hardly solace for a team loaded with one of the nation's best defensive front sevens and a running back corps full of NFL talent.
Now Auburn is the hunter instead of the hunted, and things should be far different. This is still a good team with almost all of the key pieces returning to a rehabbed offense and one of the best secondaries in the SEC. There are holes and concerns needing major replacements in the linebacking corps while hoping for QB Jason Campbell and the receiving corps to be more explosive. Everything should all turn out fine with good players ready to step in and with the pressure off. In other words, last year's Auburn team was a bit overrated and this year's team is flying under the radar. That's just the way the team wants it.
The Schedule: Step one to reverse the problems of last year will be to hold serve at home. If Auburn can win games against LSU, Arkansas and Georgia in Jordan-Hare, there's a good chance it'll be an SEC West title season. The non-conference slate is a joke going against UL Monroe, The Citadel and Louisiana Tech.
Best Offensive Player: Senior RB Carnell Williams. The Cadillac went on a Heisman caliber tear last year and will be the among the nation's best backs again this year. He'll combine with Ronnie Brown to form an NFL scout's dream backfield.
Best Defensive Player: Senior CB Carlos Rogers. The nation finally took notice in the Music City Bowl when he did a great job on Wisconsin's Lee Evans. Now he'll be among the leading candidates for All-America honors and the Thorpe Award while positioning himself to be a first round draft pick.
Key player to a successful season: The defensive front seven loses Dontarrious Thomas, Karlos Dansby, DeMarco McNeil, Reggie Torbor and Spencer Johnson. The line should turn out to be fine, but there's a concern about the linebacking corps with Travis Williams the lone returning starter. Mayo Sowell needs to shine in the middle while Kevin Sears has to take over for Dansby on the strongside.
The season will be a success if ... Auburn wins the SEC West. Beating Georgia in the SEC championship game (if the Dawgs get there) will be a lot to ask, but the Tigers have the schedule to win the West with LSU, Arkansas and Georgia coming to the Plains.
Key game: Sept. 18 vs. LSU. With Ole Miss losing Eli Manning and Arkansas and Alabama looking a bit down, this will be the battle for the West title. At least it will be the showdown for the driver's seat. This will be one of the must-see games of the early part of the season.
2003 Fun Stats:
- Touchdown runs: Auburn 32 - Opponents 8
- Interceptions and return yards: Auburn 11 for 39 yards - Opponents 9 for 169
- First half scoring: Auburn 197 - Opponents 90
