Power rankings begin to come as teams get ready for the spring every year, and one power ranking has the Auburn Tigers far down the order.
In Athlon Sports’ spring 2022 power rankings, Auburn came in at 12th — higher than only Missouri at 13th and Vanderbilt in last. On the offensive side of the ball, the ranking particularly noted the Tigers’ lack of receiving threats after the team’s wave of transfers during the offseason and their current uncertainty at the quarterback position.
The Tigers have a strong one-two punch at running back with Tank Bigsby and Jarquez Hunter. However, can coach Bryan Harsin get consistent quarterback play out of Texas A&M transfer Zach Calzada or another option? More weapons at receiver must be developed.
The concerns are valid. With receiver Kobe Hudson gone and wideout Ja’Varrius Johnson potentially leaving, Auburn desperately needs to find a solution for its lack of firepower before the season begins. New transfer Zach Calzada had a largely mediocre campaign in 2021 with 17 touchdowns, nine interceptions and a 56.1 completion percentage. Calzada, should he even win the job in camp over other Auburn QBs like T.J Finley, will have to put in a stronger performance if Auburn is to succeed this coming season.
On the defensive side of the ball, the ranking is far more optimistic, mentioning that it was one of the bright spots for the Tigers in 2021.
This unit was a strength for Harsin in 2021 by holding teams to 21.8 points a game. There’s a new coordinator (Jeff Schmedding) and standouts Zakoby McClain, Roger McCreary and Smoke Monday have departed. Spring practice is all about transitioning to Schmedding’s scheme, as well as plugging key gaps and developing depth.
Although there are sure to be growing pains with a different coordinator and a loss of players, Bryan Harsin will certainly try and replicate last seasons’ defensive prowess as a key point for his Auburn team.