Auburn football: 2019 week-by-week predictions

The Auburn Tigers look to bounce back from a disappointing 2018, though their current roster might not have the pieces to do it just yet.

It wasn’t long ago that Gus Malzahn and the Auburn Tigers were a top 10 preseason team and looked primed to challenge Alabama for the SEC West crown. However, as happens when expectations have been high for Auburn lately, they failed to live up to their goals in 2018.

An 8-5 record and a fifth-place finish in the SEC West is not going to make things easier for coach Malzahn as it seems like his seat is perpetually hot. The offense comes into 2019 with a plethora of questions starting at quarterback with Jarrett Stidham moving on to the NFL.

Will redshirt freshman Joey Gatewood take over the reins?

Or will highly touted true freshman Bo Nix take over in his first season?

Though if the Tigers want to improve it will likely start with them getting back to their roots of running the ball. Last season was the first time Auburn did not have a 1,000 yard rusher in over a decade. Everyone on the offensive line and running back group of importance returns along with Malzahn calling plays once again so that could change drastically.

On the positive, the defense may be one of the best in the country lead by a monster defensive line featuring future NFL draft picks like Derrick Brown, Nick Coe, and Marlon Davidson. The tough defense has defined this team for years, and it needs to carry what could be a very young offensive to start the season.

So let’s look at the schedule as see what 2019 could look like for the Auburn Tigers.