There is no question about it: Gus Malzahn needs a big season, and there is reason to believe — and not believe — that 2019 will be special for the Tigers.

Malzahn, now in his 7th year on The Plains, must find the right quarterback to fit his offense, an offense that he is fully in control of after taking over play-calling duties once again. There will be a 2-man competition between redshirt freshman Joey Gatewood and true freshman Bo Nix for that job.

The good news is that the defense, especially the front 4, could be among the best in the nation. The return of Marlon Davidson, Derrick Brown and Nick Coe makes Auburn’s line elite.

If the offense starts to click behind a veteran offensive line, Malzahn will have his team in position to compete for a SEC and national championship despite a brutal schedule that includes Oregon and Florida in addition to its annual SEC rivals.

With fall camp already begun, let’s take a look at the projected lineup for Auburn along with the strengths and weaknesses of each unit.

Backfield

QB: Joey Gatewood
RB: JaTarvious Whitlow
RB: Kam Martin

For the first time in 3 years, Malzahn will have a true quarterback battle on his hands. While freshman Nix might get some playing time, the job will belong to Gatewood (pictured above) and his dual-threat abilities. He has had a year in the system, has put on 20 pounds and fits Malzahn’s system. The only concern is his lack of experience when the game is on the line, especially with the Tigers opening up against Oregon at AT&T Stadium.

The emergence of Whitlow last season (787 yards, 6 touchdowns) and his play this spring should have him lined up behind Gatewood, but this Auburn offense calls for the use of multiple backs. Martin is a senior and will look to have a final season worth remembering. Shaun Shivers will get time in the backfield.

Offensive line

LT: Prince Tega Wanogho, Jr.
LG: Marquel Harrell
C: Kaleb Kim
RG: Mike Horton
RT: Jack Driscoll

The line was a big problem last season, and one of the main reasons Auburn’s streak of having a 1,000-yard rusher ended. Luckily, that is different this season. All five guys are seniors and now have experience, which should build some cohesiveness among the unit.

The running game is critical to Malzahn’s offense, and if the line can pave paths for Whitlow and Co., it should set up the passing game well. As bad as the line seemed last year, they still ranked 37th in the FCS by allowing just 23 sacks.

Wide receivers/tight end

WR: Seth Williams
WR: Anthony Schwartz/Eli Stove
WR: Matthew Hill/Will Hastings
WR: Sal Cannella/Marquis McClain
TE: John Shenker

Williams came on as a freshman last season and impressed: catching 23 passes for 534 yards and 5 touchdowns. With the departure of Darius Slayton and Ryan Davis, he will be counted on more in his second year. Stove returns after missing all of last season with an ACL injury and hopes to get back to 2017 form, when he had 525 yards receiving and 4 touchdowns.

The real wild cards are Schwartz, who reportedly injured his hand and might miss the Oregon game, and Stove. Two guys with speed, the pair could provide depth to the position and are a threat to run a reverse at any time. Cannella is a big target that quarterbacks will like having in goal-line situations.

Defensive line

DE: Nick Coe
NT: Tyrone Truesdell
DT: Derrick Brown
DE: Marlon Davidson

The strength of this team, the front 4 is one of the top units in the nation, if not the best. Coe, Brown and Davidson all turned down the NFL Draft to return, and their bond is unique. Brown, likely a first-round pick if he came out after last season, will provide nightmares for opponents.

In the end, this group could win a couple of games just from their dominance.

Linebackers

Strongside: Chandler Wooten
Middle: K.J. Britt
Weakside: Zakoby McClain

As experienced as the defensive line is, the opposite can be said for the linebacker unit. Britt has been a 2-year regular, but Wooten and McClain saw limited time so far and must fill a void left by 3 seniors: Deshaun Davis, Darrell Williams and Montavious Atkinson.

Secondary

CB: Noah Igbinoghene
CB: Javaris Davis
Nickel: Christian Tutt
S: Jeremiah Denson
S: Daniel Thomas

Auburn committed 83 penalties last season, and seemingly half came from the secondary. While that isn’t factually true, it did cost the Tigers a lot of yards. That should be cut down a bit this year as every player but Tutt made major contributions last year. Igbinoghene improved as the season went along, and Denson and Thomas are solid at the safety position. If the defensive backs can put it all together, it will be difficult for any team to pass the ball against this defense.

Special teams

K: Anders Carlson
P: Arryn Siposs
KO returner: Anthony Schwartz/Noah Igbinoghene
P returner: Eli Stove/Christian Tutt

In his freshman year, Carlson tried to fill some big shoes left by his older brother Daniel. While he had some struggles (15-of-25 on field goal attempts), he showed signs of being a worthy replacement. He was perfect on extra points (44-for-44) and nailed 2 field goals longer than 50 yards.

It would be unwise not to have Schwartz as a returner. He’s not only one of the fastest players in college football, but has been working at getting better at the position.

Final thought …

There’s only one sure thing on this roster: the defensive line. The rest will have to step up, especially at the quarterback and linebacker position, for this to turn into a special season.

In a win big or lose your job situation for Malzahn, he couldn’t ask for more talent on both sides of the ball. Whether that talent shines through — and whether the tough slate catches up to them — is another question. In the end, find the right quarterback and nothing is impossible for the Tigers in 2019.

Cover photo of Joey Gatewood by Adam Broach.