While Auburn fans might be extremely optimistic about Alex Golesh’s first year on the Plains, with more than half picking the Tigers to win seven or more games, there are others who think that another losing season could be on the way, making it six straight for the program.
USA TODAY Sports’ Paul Myerberg is one of those who aren’t exactly buying what Golesh is selling so far at Auburn, as he has the Tigers ranked 13th in the SEC power rankings out of 16 teams. Also, he thinks another season will end without a trip to a bowl game for the third straight year, with his final record coming at 5-7.
Auburn's looking to snap a streak of five-straight losing seasons
Myerberg does see a path where Auburn and Golesh could prove him wrong.
“Auburn’s offense could hit the ground running,” Myerberg wrote. “New coach Alex Golesh brought along former South Florida quarterback Byrum Brown and four of the Bulls’ top five receivers from last season. Immediate dividends could lift the Tigers to their first winning season since 2020.”
Brown and company are seen as the players who can revitalize Auburn’s offense after several seasons of inefficiency, including last year, when the Tigers finished 79th in college football in total offense, putting up a measly 373.9 yards per game. Compare that to what Golesh and Brown were able to do at USF (third in total offense after averaging 488.7 yards per game), and many are hopeful that that success will translate to the SEC.
Myerberg might also be sleeping on Auburn’s defense, which was the main reason why the Tigers remained in games last season despite a shoddy offense. D.J. Durkin was kept on as defensive coordinator, while leading tackler and linebacker Xavier Atkins returns alongside a veteran secondary that played a massive role in the Tigers’ success on defense last season.
The schedule is tough, something that Golesh and his staff will have to get used to, but if the offense can keep up with the defense this season, expect Auburn to break its postseason drought.
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