Today is the third day of Gridiron Heroics’ SEC team preview ahead of the 2022 season. Each day, we will break down one team from the East Division and West Division, giving you a position-by-position analysis, and tell you what they need to do to advance to the postseason. Join us as we delve deep into the South’s spectacular obsession; SEC football.
SEC CONF. PREVIEW: Overall SEC Conf. Preview
SEC EAST PREVIEWS: Florida | Georgia | Kentucky | Mizzou | South Carolina | Tennessee | Vanderbilt
SEC WEST PREVIEWS: Alabama | Arkansas | Auburn | LSU | Mississippi State | Ole Miss | Texas A&M
There’s no such thing as a quiet offseason on The Plains.
The Auburn Tigers are heading in to just the second season of the Bryan Harsin regime. But since the last time a ball was kicked, there has been plenty of drama – and the new coaching staff enter 2022 well and truly on the hot seat. Drama brings uncertainty, and that has been reflected in AU’s recruiting struggles. Those on the outside looking in have determined that this year is a lost cause for Auburn. But peek behind the curtain, and there are a lot more positives than you might imagine. A wounded Tiger is a dangerous animal, and only a fool would dismiss this team before the season has begun…
TEAM: Auburn Tigers
THE MENTOR: Bryan Harsin (2nd year, 6-7 record)
2021 RECORD (SEC RECORD): 6-7 (3-5 SEC)
THE AFTER LIFE: Birmingham Bowl (lost to #20 Houston, 13-17)
TOP FIVE RETURNING STUDS (STATS):
Derick Hall, EDGE (Sr) – 52 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 9 sacks in 2021
Tank Bigsby, RB (Jr) – 1,099 yards, 10 touchdowns in 2021
John Samuel Shenker, TE (RS Sr) – 413 yards in 2021
Colby Wooden, DL (RS Jr) – 61 tackles, 5 sacks in 2021
Shedrick Jackson, WR (Sr) – 527 yards, 1 touchdown in 2021
THE GOOD:
There is a feeling of a fresh start on The Plains this year. After a baptism of fire in 2021, Bryan Harsin has undoubtedly stamped his authority on this football program. No less than nineteen players entered the transfer portal, unwilling to buy in to the new regime. A handful of coaches also left, allowing Harsin to fill out his staff with guys all willing to work to his vision. The new look coaching team went about adding key pieces via the transfer portal to flesh out the roster. What is left is a hardcore group all totally committed to the cause, and prepared to throw their bodies on the line for Auburn football.
Star running back Tank Bigsby, after initially entering the portal, decided to return to Jordan-Hare. His assertion that ‘you have to be a different man to be in this program’ tells you the culture Harsin is installing. Named on the Maxwell Award watchlist, Bigsby is expected to improve on the already gaudy numbers he set in 2021.
Despite the inevitable bedding in period, last season was not as bad as many suggest. Auburn entered November 6-2, with a loss to Penn State that was a very winnable game. They didn’t win once down the remainder of the stretch, perhaps a sign of poor conditioning or some checking out. But even then, three of the five losses were by four points or less – including the heartbreaking 4OT defeat to Alabama in the Iron Bowl. Yes, this may have been the first losing season in a decade. But for a first year coach battling adversity, there’s plenty for Bryan Harsin to be optimistic about.
THE BAD:
In one word, inexperience. The Tigers have done a good job adding talent through the portal where they can, but they have certainly lost some leaders on both sides of the football. Auburn legend Bo Nix has headed to Oregon for his final year of college football, leaving a void at quarterback. Former Texas A&M QB Zach Calzada has been brought in to compete with last year’s backup TJ Finley, who got some starts when Nix was out injured. Calzada is presumed to win the job eventually, but how he acclimates to the new playbook will determine the success of this offense.
Who Calzada will throw the ball to is another question mark. Last year, the production from the receivers was far from the level expected of a Bryan Harsin offense. On top of that, two of the biggest weapons in Demetris Robertson (NFL) and Kobe Hudson (transferred to UCF) have also departed. Expect tight end John Samuel Schenker to step up with more redzone success in 2022. And hopes are high for Malcolm Johnson, Ja’Varrius Johnson and LSU transfer Koy Moore to pick up the heavy lifting. But at the very least, the weapons in the passing game are just as much of an unknown as the quarterback.
On defense, two big departures to the NFL have left voids that may take time to fill. Roger McCreary will be a huge loss to the secondary after recording 49 tackles, 14 pass breakups and 2 interceptions last year. The playmaking Nehemiah Prtichett showed promise and should make a leap. But will Oregon transfer DJ James or redshirt junior Jaylin Simpson step up and replace McCreary, now of the Tennessee Titans? Zakoby McClain also leaves a hole at linebacker, with plenty of candidates vying for the starting role. With lots of roster turnover, how Auburn fares replacing this lost talent will be critical to 2022’s success.
THE UGLY:
One look at The AU campus tells you there’s very little ugly about Auburn. It’s an idyllic, picturesque university with fantastic facilities that people fall in love with. That being said, there is one monster forever lurking in the background, threatening to derail the progress of this football program…
The Auburn boosters – and any other people pulling the strings behind the scenes – are meddling and impatient. They always have been. From Dye to Bowden, Tuberville to Chizik, and now Malzahn to Harsin – they cannot help but bring drama to The Plains. For Harsin, there was very little in the way of a honeymoon period. The former Boise State head coach demands 100% effort from everyone, and it ruffled a lot of feathers in year one. Because of that, we saw the aforementioned mass exodus of players and coaches.
This got the boosters antsy. And in a blind panic they conducted the most shoddy offseason witch hunt ever seen. After just one season, they wanted Harsin out, and used wild, unfounded allegations to try and secure his dismissal without a buyout. Did they not know what kind of man they were getting when they hired him 12 months prior? Much like his team, if you invest in Harsin, you better be all in.
Needless to say, the coup failed. Harsin survived, and if anything, seems more empowered now. But there is still no doubt that 2022 represents a make or break year for him and his staff. The monsters lurking in the shadows will not accept another losing season. And they’ll be quick to pounce if this rebuild doesn’t show major signs of progress this Fall.
BIGGEST GAME OF THE YEAR
If you live in Alabama, there is only ONE game you circle each year. The Iron Bowl is two days after Thanksgiving, and always brings drama. Who doesn’t remember the kick six?! As The Crimson Tide has become a CFB powerhouse the last two decades, Auburn has often used the Iron Bowl as an opportunity to derail the aspirations of their hated rivals. This year the Tigers hope to be much improved, and will have bigger goals than just throwing a spanner in the works. But going into Bryant-Denny Stadium and coming home with a win would be a major feather in Harsin’s cap.
As mentioned, 2022 is a pivotal year for this team, and they cannot afford to overlook any opponent. Week 3 also provides a stern test as Auburn hosts Penn State. A win against the Nittany Lions gives this program a legitimate shot at starting the season 5-0.
THE HAPPY HISTORY NUGGET:
Did you know that the last time Auburn had a losing season, the following year they won twelve games? Taking over from Gene Chizik, Gus Malzahn took the Tigers all the way to the National Championship game. They ultimately fell to a Jameis Winston-inspired FSU 31-34, but it was certainly a season to remember. Just IMAGINE…
WHICH TEAMS WILL THEY BEAT?
I might be drinking the kool-aid, but I am bullish about Auburn’s chances in 2022. I’m confident they start out the gate strong, before the severity of the SEC schedule kicks in. Give me wins against Mercer (H), San Jose State (H), Penn State (H), Mizzou (H), LSU (H), Ole Miss (A), Mississippi State (A) and Western Kentucky (H)
WHICH TEAMS WILL THEY LOSE TO?
I can easily see the Tigers sneaking a win out of this bunch – particularly the unpredictable Iron Bowl. But with a gun to my head, chalk up losses to Georgia (A), Arkansas (H), Texas A&M (H) and Alabama (A).
FINAL RECORD, POSTSEASON PREDICTION?
Based on my win-loss predictions, I see Auburn being an eight-win team in 2022 – at least. That is probably the baseline for Bryan Harsin keeping his job, so stealing another dub somewhere along the line would be useful. But an 8-4 record might see them ranked, and would likely command a mid-tier Bowl Game. A similar scenario to how Arkansas fared in 2021, pencil AU in for a spot in the Outback Bowl against a Big Ten school. WDE!
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