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Everyone knows me as 2 things.... A staunch conservative politically, and as big an Auburn fan as there is....The first I show zero objectivity, but in football I show a ton... so to show that I wanted to give my pre-spring training evaluations on Auburn and Alabama football...(it's silly, but it's football in the south) Wink

ALABAMA

Special teams...

Solid but not great kicking game, but good coverage teams on KO's and punts. B

Arenus is as good a returner in the nation when he holds on the the ball. His occasional inability to safely field a punt is the only reason this isn't A+. A

Overall-- B+

Defense

D-Line will be solid once again with Cody back in the middle though spread teams take him out of the game(i.e. Florida, Utah) Return several solid DE's that rotated to round out a solid unit. B+

Linebackers get an A+ for Rolando McClain alone in my book. This guy is a beast and if he leaves after next year he will most likely be a first round pick. Hightower came on as a very good pass rusher last year. This is by far Bama's deepest unit. A+

Secondary is a concern as it was for Bama last year. Rashad Johnson saved this unit many times last year. I think Barron will be very good there, but until he gets as heady as the Senior was he'll struggle from time to time. The corners return but must improve greatly. C+

Overall B+ Saban will field a very good defense, but must show consistancy when the offense struggles to keep them off the field. Up front they are as good as anyone, but the secondary is a weak link right now.

Offense

Offensive line is a huge toss up. You don't just replace Andre Smith, and Cauldwell is almost as big a loss. Coupled with one other loss there and both TE's there could be a few bumps here. On the unknown alone this unit can't get a good grade, especially after watching their struggles w/o Smith in the Sugar Bowl. C

Recievers will be solid. Jones was very good and used his size very well to get separation last year. With the losses of JPW and both TE's, the receiving unit is another wild card. Jones alone gets this group a B

Backfield is another tossup. We all saw how new QB's struggle in the SEC. That is the primary concern for Bama next season. The loss of Coffee may not be too huge with the return of Ingram, Upchurch and Grant. And if Trent Richardson gives any positive contribution then the RB posistion is solid. The new o-line will have more of an affect on the RBs than the loss of Coffee. Losing the QB is big though. B

Overall B. The offense was a great running team behind a huge line, and the passing game was solid with senior QB and senior TE's. This unit could struggle and will be the linchpin on 10 or 11 wins or 8 or 9 wins.
"Remember, it's not a lie if YOU believe it" George Costanza
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AUBURN

Special teams

Kicker struggled last year after a solid freshman year. 2 all SEC calibur punters. Struggled at times in coverage. Punters get Auburn a C+

Auburn usually has good KO return but mediocre punt return. New coaching staff could change that, but I'll believe when I see. C

Defense

D-line has to replace both starting D-tackles but return several guys that have played over the last couple of years. Coleman, Goggans, and Carter make up as fast a DE unit as there is in the country. Their presence gives this unit a B+

Linebackers are thin on depth. Bynes is very good in the middle, and Stevens will be starting for his 3rd year. Eltoro Freeman will be called on to start right away and should round out a good starting unit. Although thin, this unit is as fast as there is in the country. Chizik will have them ready every game. B+

Secondary was solid but not great last year. 3 starters return and Neiko Thorpe will step in to start after playing a lot his freshman year. Aarion Savage was a potential All-SEC guy before a season ending injuy last year, so his retrun will be huge. Once again, Chizik's coaching is huge. Because of the returning depth this unit gets an A-

Overall A- Chizik will field a solid defense every year. Auburn returns a ton from a defense that was the only reason Auburn managed 5 wins last year and kept them in most games. The D will be great again this year.

Offense

Offensive line is the tale of 2 years. As freshman this group was fantastic, under the mess that was the O-coaching staff they were mediocre at best. Tossup but 4 returning starters is a good way to lean that tossup to the good B

Receivers are a big question mark. No proven playmakers and reliance on incoming freshmen don't help any. If the new O clicks we'll find out about this group. Good athletes but nothing proven. TE's are solid which will help, but as a unit C

Backfield returns every starter. Burns, Fannin and Tate will be tough to stop if the running portion of this offense gets clickin. McCaleeb is a newcomer who is game ready and Smith got some experience last year. If Burns becomes a solid passing QB then the sky is the limit for this unit. B+

Overall B(with the wildcard of a new offense) The unknown alone can't rate the offense good. The athletes that were part of a 10 win season are still there, but with struggles last year who knows. It's a between the ears issue with the offense.
In conclusion.... Both teams could be battleing for the SEC West, or both could be scratching and clawing for their 8th win the the Iron Bowl. Both teams will be good on D and have huge question marks on O. And they both play in the SEC. I think both teams are good, but the answers to those questions will tell whether they are just good, or contenders.

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