Could off-season drama spell disaster for Bryan Harsin and the Auburn Tigers, or has the tide subdued and Auburn can finally cross the threshold to glory? From the outside looking in, the Auburn Tigers are a weird football team to digest.

Heading into the 2022 season, the Auburn Tigers have spectacular upside potential, yet, there still seems to be a cloud of uncertainty surrounding the program. Auburn has sixteen starters returning from last season; among those is Tank Bigsby, running back for the Tigers. As expected, Tank Bigsby will be a focal point for Harsin and his Auburn Tigers offensive unit this season.

Elsewhere on the offensive side of the ball, the Auburn Tigers have a quarterback battle on their hands. Heading into the new season, the Tigers have got a host of three guys who is fighting like hell to replace Bo Nix. Those three guys, TJ Finley, Zach Calzada, and Robby Ashford, all have the talent to replace Nix, but Calzada will likely get the nod on Opening Day when the Auburn Tigers play host to Mercer. Another plus side to this Auburn offensive unit; is that the Tigers return four out of the five starters from last season. Having an experienced offensive line always is helpful in the talented Southeastern Conference.

On the defensive side of the ball, Auburn has seven returning starters from last season. In particular, the Tigers have four guys who are expected to give Auburn an edge this season. Colby Wooden, Marcus Harris, Derick Hall, and Eku Leota all give Auburn the advantage in the 2022 season. Adding to that talented Auburn defense; was a transfer from the Oregon Ducks, Jayson Jones. Jones, like his teammates, is expected to have a breakout season for Bryan Harsin and his Auburn Tigers.

On Special teams, Auburn has their kicker and punter returning from last season. Anders Carlson and Oscar Chapman will look to own the special teams’ units with ease in the 2022 Auburn Football season.

Overall, the 2022 Auburn Football Tigers will likely still be in the rebuilding stages. Yet, the potential for a surprising season is still there. To do so, Auburn will need to tune out the off-field drama created by the Auburn boosters and play Auburn Football the way Auburn Football has been played for generations.

Looking at their schedule, Auburn has a favorable road to winning at least seven games, with the possibility of eight or nine being within reach of the mighty Auburn Tigers. The crucial stretch for the Tigers will come when Auburn plays six straight weeks of games with LSU, Georgia, Ole Miss, Arkansas, Mississippi State, and Texas A&M. If Harsin and his Tigers can rattle off three wins out of the six, eight wins for the Auburn Tigers will be within reach.

Auburn opens its season on Saturday, September 3rd, at Jordan-Hare Stadium against Mercer.