Auburn Football: Will Muschamp, New Auburn Defense 101

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Nov 16, 2013; Columbia, SC, USA; Florida Gators head coach Will Muschamp and Florida Gators linebacker Darrin Kitchens (49) celebrate a South Carolina Gamecocks missed field goal in the second quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports

The Philosophical Pillars of Will Muschamp and the Auburn Defense

There’s a lot of talk about how much improvement the Auburn defense can make in 2015 compared to the 2014 unit that finished in the bottom half of the SEC in total defense, and Auburn football fans have thrown out their own goals and projections for 2015.

One term that’s often been mentioned is “Top Ten Defense,” as in Will Muschamp has produced a top ten defense statistically in ten of his 12 seasons as a defensive coordinator or head coach.

Auburn allowed more than 389 total yards per game last season, which ranked 61st nationally. The nation’s best defense statistically was Clemson, who allowed 260 total yards per contest, and Florida and Michigan were ninth and tenth with 311 total yards allowed on average.

Of course, that means for Auburn to be a top ten unit, they’ll need to shave nearly 80 yards per game off their average from last season.

Can they do it? Maybe. Muschamp is a helluva coach with a terrific track record, but here’s what they’ll need to do to have a chance.

(Note: these are my own “Philosophical Pillars” based on my knowledge and research of Muschamp’s career and as gathered through interviews, clinics, etc. To my knowledge he does not have any specific list of philosophical points of emphasis.)

Next: Pillar No. 1: Stop the Run