2019 Auburn Tigers Football Team Preview: Schedule, Odds and Predictions

After opening up the season with a promising win over Washington, Auburn’s College Football Playoff hopes were quickly dashed after a home loss to then-12th ranked LSU in the third game of the season. Losses to Mississippi State and Tennessee would soon ensue, followed by a 27-10 defeat against Georgia and a 52-21 beating from Alabama in the Iron Bowl. Auburn would cap off the season by abusing Purdue 63-14 in the Music City Bowl.

Despite boasting the 14th ranked defense in the nation, the Tigers could only muster a 3-5 record in the SEC. Much of this was due to an offense that scored over 30 points just twice in conference play.

Key Returning Players (2018 Stats)

9?? Tigers named Preseason All-SEC by @philsteele042:

?@javariusdavis1
?@gamechanger021
?@marlondavidson7
?@QuelPhew77
?@tega441
?@NIckCoe_34
?@Sippa02
?@DerrickBrownAU5
?@Noah_Igbo9

???????#WarEagle x #RidefortheBrand pic.twitter.com/ylRDmLkfAC

— Auburn Football (@AuburnFootball) June 14, 2019

• RB JaTarvious Whitlow (Sophomore) – 787 Rush Yards | 8 Total TD | 5.2 YPC
• WR Seth Williams (Sophomore) – 26 Receptions | 534 Rec Yards | 5 Rec TD
• DE Nick Coe (Junior) – 26 Total Tackles | 13.5 TFL | 7.0 Sacks
• S Daniel Thomas (Senior) – 74 Total Tackles | 2 INT | 2 Forced Fumbles

The quarterback situation is up in the air, with redshirt freshman Joey Gatewood, junior Malik Willis, and newcomer Bo Nix battling for the job. Whoever starts behind center will get to work behind a senior-laden line that includes fifth-year seniors Mike Horton, Kaleb Kim, and Marquel Harrell. The Tigers will also have a stable of running backs in stow in JaTarvious Whitlow, Kam Martin, and Shaun Shivers.

On defense, Auburn sports a fearsome front four that includes the team’s sack leaders from last season in Derrick Brown and Nick Coe. The secondary will also be experienced with senior safeties Daniel Thomas and Jeremiah Dinson, along with upperclassmen Noah Igbinoghene and Jarvis Davis likely manning the starting corner spots. The linebacking corps will be led by junior K.J. Britt in the middle, with Chandler Wooten and Zakoby McClain supporting him on the outside.

Key Departures

• QB Jarrett Stidham (NFL Draft)
• CB Jamel Dean (NFL Draft)
• WR Darius Slayton (NFL Draft)
• MLB Deshaun Davis (Graduation)

The Tigers bid farewell to a handful of key pieces from 2018, most notably starting quarterback Jarrett Stidham who could be the heir to Tom Brady in New England. Top receiver Darius Slayton is also gone, as is All-SEC linebacker, and leading tackler Deshaun Davis. Other NFL draft defections include running back Chandler Cox and defensive tackle Dontavius Russell.

Notable Recruits (Star Ratings and Rankings According to Rivals.com)

I’m finally an Auburn Tiger!!? #WarEagle pic.twitter.com/x0gf6ZbjFe

— Bo Nix (@bo_nix10) December 22, 2018

• QB Bo Nix – 5 Star | 6-2, 190lb | Pinson Valley HS | Pinson, AL
• OLB Owen Pappoe – 4 Star | 6-1, 202lb | Grayson HS | Loganville, GA
• RB Mark-Antony Richards – 4 Star | 6-1, 187lb | Wellington HS | Palm Beach, FL
• DE Charles Moore – 4 Star | 6-3, 270lb | Louisville HS | Louisville, MS

By far the biggest haul from the recruiting trail was quarterback Bo Nix, the top pro-style passer in the class of 2019. Joining the quarterback of the future is a pair of edge rushers in Owen Pappoe and Charles Moore, along with athlete Zion Puckett, who figures to slot in as a defensive back. One potential cause for concern with this class is the fact that only three of Auburn’s 21 commitments are offensive linemen, with Keiondre Jones the only one of them rated four stars or higher.

Auburn Tigers 2019 Schedule

The 2019 season will include a funky schedule for the Tigers, who will not play a single game at Jordan-Hare Stadium in the month of October. On the flip side, all of their November games will be played on their home field, including the penultimate Iron Bowl, where they will look to avenge last year’s drubbing. Auburn will have some tough SEC road tests, with visits to The Swamp in Florida, LSU’s Death Valley, and Texas A&M’s Kyle Field.

Where to Bet on Win Totals and Conference Title Odds in New Jersey

New Jersey residents can log on to 888Sport to wager on Auburn’s odds to win the SEC, as well as their win total. With an over/under of 8 wins, bettors will have some room for error to judge the Tigers against a tough schedule.

SEC Conference Winner

* 21+ | NJ only | If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER

Number of Games Won – Excluding Bowl Games & Play Offs

Regular season only. Conference championship games do not count.

* 21+ | NJ only | If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER