Auburn enters its sixth year under head coach Gus Malzahn looking to improve upon its 10-4 record from a year ago, when it won the SEC West but fell flat in the season's final two games against Georgia and UCF. The Tigers will try to maintain a top-tier defense that has to replace some key pieces at all three levels, and the offense will need to find a new featured running back and work with a retooled offensive line.
Which 10 members of the 2018 team will prove to be the difference between a successful season or a disappointing one? AL.com delves into the topic as it unveils Auburn's 10 MVPs for the 2018 season.
2. Gus Malzahn, head coach
Gus Malzahn has a brand new, seven-year, $49 million contract extension under his belt heading into Year 6 on the Plains. It's a deal that simultaneously alleviates pressure (no more hot-seat talk heading into the year) and amplifies it, with higher expectations coming along with the one of the nation's largest coaching salaries.
Some of those expectations, naturally, have come from Malzahn himself, who said the next several seasons are "fixing to be our best" at Auburn. Given that in his first five seasons Auburn has won two SEC West crowns, an SEC Championship and played for one national championship, the expectation is set for the Tigers to compete for national titles in the years to come under Malzahn. It's why the man at the head of the table for Auburn football checks in at No. 2 on AL.com's countdown.
"I'm really looking forward to the future," Malzahn said shortly after his contract extension was announced in December. "Any time you have stability, especially in this day and time in college football, I think it gives you an advantage. We've got a very stable program right now. The future's very bright. I think it does nothing but help with all of the above."
The Tigers' head coach has shown a willingness to adapt of late at Auburn. He eased up on his policy prohibiting his quarterbacks from working with outside private coaches off campus (a decision that was ultimately offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey's). He has taken a more hands-off approach to the offense, entrusting Lindsey to largely run his scheme on that side of the ball, and he has spoken of giving quarterback Jarrett Stidham more flexibility within the offense -- namely, the ability to check out of plays at the line of scrimmage -- heading into this season.
With a veteran defense that should again be among one of the better units in the country, an experienced quarterback who will garner preseason Heisman chatter, some key returning playmakers on offense as well, and a familiar staff of assistants, the pieces are there for Auburn to vie for an SEC title and be in the College Football Playoff discussion this season.
It'll be on Malzahn to bring it all together and help the Tigers reach their full potential.
Coming Friday: The face of Auburn's football team.
Tom Green is an Auburn beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Tomas_Verde.
from Auburn Sports Impact http://www.al.com/auburnfootball/index.ssf/2018/07/auburn_mvp_10_gus_malzahn.html
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