Auburn’s bottom-line record has swung violently since Cam Newton led the Tigers to a national championship in 2010: 14-0, 8-5, 3-9, 12-2, 8-5.

Coupled with the team’s major transitions on offense and defense in 2015, it’s easy to understand why fans are either out-of-their-minds excited about this team or annoyed and confused by the hype.

RELATED: Best-case scenario — Tigers improve on defense, reach College Football Playoff

The biggest source of intrigue and excitement with this team is the addition of defensive coordinator Will Muschamp, who is getting paid $1.6 million to turn around a unit that destroyed the team’s title chances last fall.

Muschamp and head coach Gus Malzahn nationally are recognized as premier defensive and offensive minds, respectively. It’ll be fun to see what “Guschamp” can accomplish together.

WHAT THE MAGAZINES ARE SAYING

ESPN: “Despite the departure of the Tigers’ QB an RB, there is still plenty of optimism on the Plains with the arrival of D-coordinator Will Muschamp, who gives Auburn one of the top coaching tandems in college football.”

Lindy’s Sports: “Running the football will always be a staple under Gus Malzahn, but having a strong, accurate passer like Johnson should allow the offense to be more unpredictable. If Auburn’s defense improves quickly, the Tigers will contend for the SEC West title.”

Athlon Sports: “… Malzahn’s reputation as an offensive mind and Muschamp’s prowess on defense mean the Tigers are a safe bet to make some noise [in 2015]. … The pressure falls on Muschamp, who doesn’t have to hold teams to 10 points or less; if he can get the Tigers around 20-24 points against per game, Auburn should be a contender.”

The Sporting News: “Fans are hoping Johnson will be an even better passer than Marshall, that the Tigers could actually be better at running back than they were with Artis-Payne, and most importantly that Muschamp will turn the Auburn defense into one that actually defends.”

Phil Steele: “[Auburn] could be favored in 11 or 12 [games] this year. Showing how TOUGH it is in the SEC West, I peg this legitimate National Title contender 3rd in their division.”

BEST PLAYERS

  • QB Jeremy Johnson
  • WR Duke Williams
  • OT Avery Young
  • DE/LB Carl Lawson
  • LB Kris Frost
  • CB Jonathan Jones

WHAT WE LEARNED

  • Duke Williams is in the discussion for best receiver in the SEC as well as in next year’s NFL draft. We recently compared Williams to Ole Miss standout Laquon Treadwell. One of the biggest differences is Williams’ ability to make plays downfield. According to ESPN, 82 percent of his catches went for a first down or a touchdown last season, best in the SEC.
  • As I mentioned in my “Nerd’s look at predicting the SEC” series, Auburn experienced woefully bad luck last year with fumble recoveries, scooping up just 25 percent of the loose footballs. But I didn’t realize the Tigers finished last in the country, which Athlon Sports pointed out. Look for Auburn to recover a higher percentage of fumbles, and therefore generate more possessions, in ’15.
  • Everyone knows that Gus Malzahn’s offenses produce powerful running games. But here’s a stat from Athlon Sports that I hadn’t heard: in nine years at the collegiate level, Malzahn’s offenses have produced 11 1,000-yard rushing seasons.

BIGGEST AGREEMENT

Four of the five national magazines ranked Auburn as a preseason top 10 football team (Phil Steele is the lone exception).

I’d have to agree. The Tigers are going through a huge transition on offense, but have the right coaching and personnel to handle it seamlessly.

But the team’s biggest problem last season was giving up huge plays on defense, a partial byproduct of a lackluster pass rush. A return to health for Carl Lawson will lift all boats. Better play from Montravius Adams, the addition of five-star Byron Cowart and the presence of Will Muschamp all will help as well.

This team is thin in spots — most notably in the secondary — but looks like a national championship contender if it stays healthy.

BIGGEST DISAGREEMENT

A few of the magazines are skeptical about Auburn’s blocking. The team features a group of athletic but inexperienced H-backs. Just two starters return on the offensive line, and the team has to replace Rimington Trophy winner Reese Dismukes.

I think the combination of Kamryn Pettway and Chandler Cox gives the team a much-needed boost at H-back, which was lacking last year after Jay Prosch left for the NFL.

In Shon Coleman, Alex Kozan and Avery Young, the Tigers could be Georgia light — an offensive line that doesn’t earn any first-team All-SEC selections, but a combination of a bunch of very good players that can dominate opponents, especially on the ground.

Don’t expect any major headaches with the team’s road graders this fall.

LIGHTNING ROUND

Biggest Remaining Question: How much progress will the pass defense make in 2015?
Consensus Projection: 2nd place, SEC West
Impact Newcomers: RB Jovon Robinson, DE Byron Cowart