Auburn hosting Arkansas State
Year two of the Gene Chizik era begins tonight when Auburn hosts Arkansas State to open the 2010 season.
Chizik guided the Tigers to an 8-5 record last year and expectations are high on the Plains.
The biggest question about the Tigers last season was the defense, which played inconsistent throughout the entire year. With more depth the Auburn defense should be able to rotate more players into the game and keep the defense energized, which could cut down on some of the fourth-quarter meltdowns that plagued the Tigers last season.
Senior linebacker Josh Bynes was seventh in the Southeastern Conference last year with 104 total tackles, 61 of which were solo. Defensive back Zac Etheridge, who suffered a neck injury during the game against Ole Miss last year, will return to play and that should provide Auburn with an emotional boost.
The Tigers’ offense set several school records last season, but quarterback Chris Todd and running back Ben Tate are gone.
New quarterback Cam Newton, a quarterback who won a national championship at the junior college level, will have a skilled set of receivers to throw to in Terrell Zachery and Darvin Adams.
Onterrio McCalebb had a good freshman season at the running back spot last year and he will be challenged by freshman Michael Dyer — one of the nation’s top recruits this spring.
