Which team is more likely to turn it around in 2016: Auburn or Texas A&M?
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The SEC West has been the best division in the best conference in college football for several years. Three of the seven SEC West teams have won national championships since 2007, led by Alabama’s four in the past seven years.
The 2016 season looks to be no different, especially if teams like Auburn or Texas A&M can turn things around.
Auburn won a national championship in 2010 and reached the title game in 2013. Well, again it’s three years later, and like their two previous runs to the title game, the Tigers aren’t on anyone’s radar for such an accomplishment.
But that didn’t stop them in the past. History says the Tigers are in the perfect spot to challenge for a title — even if the roster doesn’t exactly scream it.
Since bursting onto the SEC scene in 2012, Texas A&M has steadily declined. The Aggies beat Alabama, finished 11-2 with a No. 5 ranking in their debut.
But the following three seasons have produced records of 9-4, 8-5 and 8-5, finishing unranked each of the past two years.
The Aggies are making big changes offensively in 2016 while their defense continues to improve.
So which team, Auburn or Texas A&M, is more likely to turn it around in 2016?
The case for Auburn
The Tigers are embracing their underdog status. Coming off a 7-6 record in 2015, including a 2-6 conference record and a last-place finish in the SEC West, expectations couldn’t be any lower.
Auburn DL Montravius Adams: Adams is one of the seniors who came up with "earn it" theme for spring practice
— WarEagleExtra (@wareagleextra) March 2, 2016
Quarterback play still will be an issue. JUCO transfer John Franklin was brought in to compete with Sean White and Jeremy Johnson, who shared snaps last season. Johnson threw 10 of Auburn’s 11 touchdown passes in 2015.
The rushing attack loses 1,000-yard rusher Peyton Barber, but returns a plethora of talent. Jovon Robinson averaged a team-high 79.9 yards per game. He’ll return along with Roc Thomas and Kerryon Johnson.
A healthy Carl Lawson can only make the Tigers better on defense for new coordinator Kevin Steele, and a favorable schedule that begins with five consecutive home games should give the Tigers a head-start on a rebound season.
The case for Texas A&M
We’ve grown accustomed to the offense taking center stage when discussing Texas A&M positives. But for the first time in the Kevin Sumlin era, it’s defense that gives Aggies fans hope for improvement after back-to-back 8-5 seasons.
John Chavis improved the Aggies defense in his first season. Of course, there was nowhere to go but up after 2014, when the Aggies finished last in the SEC in defense, allowing an average of 450.8 yards per game.
That number was knocked down to 380.0 yards per game last season — and more important, the Aggies allowed six points per game fewer.
And with DEs Daeshon Hall and Myles Garrett returning, along with leading tackler Armani Watts, the Aggies defense should be above average in 2016.
Offensively, the hope is new offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone rejuvenates transfer QB Trevor Knight and the offense rivals that of Sumlin’s early teams. Knight has proven he can win in big games, defeating Alabama in the Jan. 2, 2014 Sugar Bowl, 45-31, as a freshman – throwing for a Sugar Bowl-record 32 completions (348 yards, 4 TDs).
Prediction … Auburn
Auburn has more talent and Malzahn has proven he can win big.
Don’t be surprised to see the Tigers improve vastly on last season’s 7-6 record and make a move once again for SEC and perhaps even national honors.
Texas A&M’s defense is dynamic, but there’s just too much uncertainty on offense for the Aggies to make a push to the top of the SEC West.
Another 8-5 season is just about what the Aggies should expect, barring a Johnny Manziel-like season from Knight.
Glenn Sattell is an award-winning freelance writer for Saturday Down South.
