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| Gene Chizik raises more questions than he answers about his team at SEC Media Days. |
I think there's an obvious reason for this. Auburn had an incredible undefeated season in 2010, no doubt. But somewhere within the oblivion of the off-season, the defending national champ Tigers have become a longshot for 2011.
An overwhelming majority of Chizik's press conference focused around NCAA speculations into violations that cast a shadow over Cam Newton long before he hoisted the Coach's Trophy amid orange and navy confetti. And now these allegations (and investigations) are shadowing a season that hasn't even begun -- one that has seen Newton graduate into the first NFL draft pick.
But somehow I got the inkling Chizik would have rather dealt with these questions than ones about the looming 2011 season. There are huge question marks on critical positions like QB, which mirrors UF's situation last season (see: goodbye to Tim Tebow, enter John Brantley, chaotic 8-5 ensues). Nick Fairley's exit on D is a massive one, physically and conceptually. Auburn's O-line loses four, along with three WRs, two LBs, three DBs and its kicker. Those are glaring changes with no solid solution sets figured out yet.
I don't have a suggestion for Chizik. I'd honestly prefer to see Auburn dip below .500. But the SEC is the nation's toughest football conference, and the SEC West will be an extremely competitive division this season, with LSU and Alabama chomping at the bit for revenge. If the Tigers want to even be considered a threat to defend their BCS title, Chizik and his staff better come up with a plan. Because as fast as they rose to the top, it's always a faster fall going back down.
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