Fans will get a chance to see the 2016 Auburn Tigers football team for the first time during Saturday’s Spring Game.
It’s never too early to start getting excited about college football, and Saturday will bring a major preseason event that should generate plenty of buzz around the country.
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A number of big-time programs will scrimmage for the first time this offseason on Saturday in their annual spring football games. That includes the Tigers, who figure to draw thousands of fans to Jordan-Hare Stadium for an early look at this year’s team.
The 2016 Auburn Football Spring Game begins Saturday at 4:00 pm Eastern on the SEC Network. Further details for the game are below:
Date: Saturday, April 9, 2016.
Time: 4:00 pm Eastern
Location: Auburn, AL
Stadium: Jordan-Hare Stadium
TV Info: SEC Network
Live stream: WatchESPN
Once again, it’s difficult what exactly to expect from the Tigers in 2016 under fourth-year head coach Gus Malzahn. Auburn was pegged as a preseason top 10 team and College Football Playoff contender in 2015, but finished a disappointing 7-6, including 2-6 in SEC play, leading to Malzahn being on the hot seat for this year.
Quarterback play was a major reason for the poor season, as preseason Heisman hopeful Jeremy Johnson flopped and backup Sean White was only a little better. The most important player on the field on Saturday will be JUCO transfer John Franklin III, who could win the quarterback competition and bring back the great athleticism that works so well in Malzahn’s offense.
Fans will also be interested in watching the defense, which was improving by the end of the season before Will Muschamp left for South Carolina. New coordinator Kevin Steele has some existing talent to work with, but the Tigers will need to be a lot better from the get-go on that side of the ball to compete in the SEC.
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