Does anyone recall all the hype Tennessee received a season ago?
Volunteers’ coach Butch Jones and the program was predicted by many media outlets to not only win the SEC East, but to also defeat Alabama, capture a Southeastern Conference title and enter the College Football Playoff as one of the top four seeds. With all the experience it had in 2016, including quarterback Joshua Dobbs, running backs Jalen Hurd and Alvin Kamara, defensive end Derek Barnett, linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin and cornerback Cam Sutton – last season was supposed to have been the no excuse year for Jones.
Instead, it would end up being a campaign for the Vols to fail once again.
After a 5-0 start, Tennessee would lose four its last eight games – including a 49-10 beatdown at the hand of the Crimson Tide inside Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. While Jones’ hotseat is now scorching, another SEC head coach may be dealing with the same issues in the upcoming season.
To say Auburn fans are disappointed with Gus Malzahn is putting it lightly. The Tigers have not obtained a 10-win season since 2013, and it’s facing much pressure to achieve next fall. Following the heroics of Cam Newton in 2010, Auburn has not boasted a quarterback that imposes fear in the hearts of competition.
In getting Jarrett Stidham from Baylor during the offseason, Tiger fans hope that his arm talent can guide the team to a championship. Like Tennessee, Auburn is the sexy pick to win it all in 2017.
Despite Stidham’s capabilities and the weapons returning around him, there is heavy pressure upon his shoulders. Should the 6’3″ junior college transfer struggle tremendously, Malzhan will more than likely be looking for a new job. Offensively, it returns Kamryn Pettway and Kerryon Johnson to the backfield while having John Franklin III, Darius Slayton, Nate Craig-Myers, Will Hastings, Marquis McClain, Kyle Davis and others at wide receiver.
Regardless of losing Carl Lawson and Montravius Adams to the National Football League, Auburn returns Dontavius Russell, Marlon Davidson, Andre Williams, Tre’ Williams and Deshaun Davis to its defensive front.
A rotation of Daniel Thomas, Stephen Roberts, Javaris Davis, Tray Matthews and Carlton Davis returns to the Tigers’ defensive backfield in 2017. Auburn’s schedule sets up nicely in the fall, with having Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Georgia and Alabama all coming to Jordan-Hare Stadium for a visit. Will Malzhan and company pull it off, or could we see another example of team falling on its face despite media perceptions.
College football should be very entertaining next season.
Stephen M. Smith is a managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.
