By Darrell Puckett
The anticipation of how the Auburn Tigers and Alabama Crimson Tide will finish is the talk of this summer’s sports radio stations. The state of Alabama has always thought this discussion as essential. Many esteemed websites and columnists have given their top 10 pre-season rankings. Here are mine:
- Florida State
- Auburn
- Oregon
- Alabama
- Stanford
- Oklahoma
- UCLA
- Baylor
- South Carolina
- LSU
Let’s remember one key thing, it’s too early for anyone to successfully rank these teams. Pre-season rankings are what true, impatient and excited fans look forward to.
Auburn: The Tigers are prepared for another great season, but their schedule strength has been ranked third toughest in the country. With trap games like Kansas State and Mississippi State early in the season, any team could slip up. This doesn’t take away from the amount of talent coming back for Auburn. Coach Malzahn, for the first time in his college coaching career, will return Nick Marshall as starting quarterback. Also, the Tigers return Sammie Coates who led a young receiving group last season. With the signing of five-star wide-receiver Duke Williams, Auburn could potentially have the two most dynamic receivers in college football this season. Unfortunately, reports have indicated that sophomore defensive end Carl Lawson might undergo season ending ACL surgery.
If Auburn can get through the LSU game undefeated, then another appearance in post-season play should be expected. The four team playoff has left a lot fans questioning how teams will be selected. Winning your league will be very valuable.
Alabama: The addition of junior quarterback Jacob Coker, a Florida State transfer, has made many Alabama fans excited. Losing a two-time BCS National Championship quarterback like AJ McCarron should be tough, but the Crimson Tide feel confident in Coker’s talent. Coach Jimbo Fisher commented on Coker’s talent level and said that he should be the best quarterback Nick Saban has had at Alabama. The Tide has loaded up again with prestigious young players. Look for the Tide to have an outstanding chance to finish undefeated because of a less intensive schedule.
Contact the writer: dpucket1@aum.edu