Georgia Football 2017 Season Preview: Auburn Tigers
Related Story: 2017 Season preview: South Carolina.
With the season inching closer, I’m going to preview each of the 12 games Georgia Football will have in 2017.
Conituing our look at the teams Georgia Football will be up against in 2017. We are now in the final stretch of the season and of course, its another rivallry game. Georgia has absolutely had Auburn’s number the past few years but this year could be different. Auburn has been generating a lot of hype this offseason (then again when doesn’t it) and this year could be crucial for coach Gus Malzahn. With the exception of a 1st year where he took his side to the national championship, he is yet to deliver much else in Auburn. He really needs a good 2017 to secure his long term future.
Who were they in 2016?
Last year, the Tigers did not start off the season ranked. A disappointing 2015 meant that they were a heavy underdog to start the season against Clemson. They lost that game and were beaten by Texas A&M at home, but they upset LSU at home in their 4th game to save their season. That win started a 6 game winning streak, that was only broken when UGA upset them in Sanford Stadium. They would then go on to lose both to Alabama and Oklahoma in the bowl game to end the season a disappointing 8-5.
Does that season sound familiar? To be honest, that has been the last 3 seasons for the Tigers under Malzahn. He had an absolutely loaded defense that looked great during that 6 game winning streak. Their offense on the other hand never quite got going after Malzahn handed over playcalling to Rhett Lashlee, a long term protege. Malzahn instead had an easy scapegoat and Lashlee was pushed out of the door after the season and is now at Connecticut.
To be honest, I never really thought that Malzahn has been the offensive guru some people have suggested he is. He had one great season with Cam Newton back in the day. But Cam Newton is… Cam Newton. It’s pretty easy to look good when you have a future NFL MVP leading the offense. 2016 was yet another year where they disappointing. Their QB play simply hasn’t been very good since Newton left and that is more on the coaches than the players if you ask me.