On Saturday, Sept. 3, Clemson will kickoff its 2016 football season against Auburn at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn. This will be the first time the teams have faced off since 2012, when Clemson defeated Auburn, 26-19 in the first Chick-fil-A Kickoff Classic in Atlanta.
In the history of the rivalry between the two Tigers, Auburn leads Clemson 34-13-2. However, Clemson has come out on top in the two most recent matchups.
Last season, Auburn went 7-6, only winning two games in SEC play. Their biggest wins came against Louisville, Texas A&M and Kentucky, while they went on to defeat Memphis in the Birmingham Bowl.
However, it was Auburn’s worst season since the Tigers went 3-9 in 2012.
Taking a look at Auburn’s returning personnel one of the biggest questions may surround who will start at quarterback. In 2015, both senior Jeremy Johnson and rising redshirt sophomore Sean White spent time at quarterback, but neither one put up overly impressive numbers. Overall, Johnson performed better completing 95-157 passes for 1,054 yards and 10 touchdowns and rushing for 137 yards and six touchdowns. However, he threw seven interceptions and needs to improve on ball security.
Johnson will be the most experienced quarterback prospect for next season, however Auburn landed four-star dual threat quarterback Woody Barrett and former Florida State transfer John Franklin III. Both incoming prospects have the potential to provide Auburn with a stronger rushing threat, but there is plenty of time for competition among the quarterback options in the off-season.
Continuing on with the offense, the SEC’s Tigers have lost leading receiver Ricardo Louis, who ended the 2015 season with 46 receptions for 716 yards and three touchdowns. Melvin Ray has also exhausted his eligibility, but Auburn brought in three four-star receivers with the 2016 signing class. Among those receivers are Kyle Davis, Nate Craig-Myers and Eli Stove, who will join rising junior Jason Smith and veteran Marcus Davis.
On the defensive side of the ball, new defensive coordinator Kevin Steele will take over a defense that took a huge hit after losing linebackers Cassanova McKinzy, Kris Frost, and Justin Garrett. All three of these athletes were starting members of the Tiger defense, and they combined for 220 tackles in the 2015 season alone. McKinzy led the team in tackles for loss with 10, while Frost had two interceptions.
Out of the 21 recruits that Auburn signed, eight of them will aid in rebuilding the front seven. The Tigers landed ESPN’s top 10 five-star defensive tackle Derrick Brown, four-star defensive ends Prince Sammons, Marlon Davidson, Paul James and Nick Coe, four-star defensive tackle Antwuan Jackson, and outside linebacker Tre Threat. It is expected the new signees will be thrown into the mix early to replace the gap created by the departure of the linebackers and lack of depth on the line.
In the secondary, Auburn lost standout defensive back Blake Countess who racked up 70 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and two interceptions in his one season with the Tigers. Four-year starting cornerback Jonathon Jones has also used up his eligibility. However, Freshman All-American cornerback Carlton Davis led the SEC in interceptions by a freshman with three, and will return as a starter.
Auburn used the 2016 signing class to stock up on defensive backs by bringing four in. Four-star cornerback John Broussard, who received an offer from Clemson, is already on Auburn’s campus and could be a contender to fill Jones’ shoes.
Photo credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
If you haven’t already order your copy today of Guts & Glory – Tales of Clemson’s Historic 2015 Football Season to help you celebrate and remember this special season.
