Auburn looks to contend in SEC West

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This is the 12th team in the SEC football previews:
The Auburn Tigers are favored in 10 of its 12 games this season.
But if they really win 10 games, Auburn still has to beat Alabama to capture the SEC West.
The Tigers should win the season opener against Georgia Southern (99 percent chance of winning) but then visit defending champions Clemson (47.5).
A win over Mercer (99.7) and Missouri (82.7) puts Auburn at 3-1 before facing Mississippi State (88.2) and Ole Miss (89.3).
If Auburn can upset Clemson, the showdown at LSU (53.8) will be a major factor on staying in the national championship picture.
The tough road tests continue at Arkansas (82.5) and Texas A&M (74.9),
Home games against Georgia (73.8) and Louisiana Monroe (99) sets up an Iron Bowl clash with Alabama (44.5).
While 11-1 might be too much to ask for, 10-2 is possible and 9-3 is more likely.
What if the other direction happens and the Tigers lose to Clemson and Missouri or Mississippi State?
Losses to LSU and either Arkansas or Texas A&M puts the Tiges at 5-4 before Georgia and Alabama.
A 6-6 season is far from what many expect, but a derailment could be the end of the Gus Malzhan era on the Plains.
The hiring of Chip Lindsey as offensive coordinator is expected to help elevate the Tiger offense, led by junior running backs Kamryn Pettway and Kerryon Johnson.
Pettway had 209 carries for 1,224 yards and seven touchdowns, while Johnson added 182 carries for 895 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Sophomores Kam Martin (44 carries for 320 yards and three touchdowns) and Malik Miller (16 carries for 69 yards and one touchdown) can also help the Tigers continue its 271.3 yards per game average from 2016.
The off-season talk was all about the transfer of former Baylor quarterback Jarrett Stidham (12 touchdowns, two interceptions at Baylor in 2015).
Sean White is a aolid qaurterback but injuries have limited his abilities, so Stidham will be the key to a possible title run.
The Tiger receivers have talent but not a lot of experience,
Darius Slayton (15 catches for 292 yards and one touchdown in 2016), Kyle Davis (12 catches for 248 yards and two touchdowns), Eli Stove (23 catches for 224 yards) Ryan Davis (25 catches for 194 yards), Will Hastings (11 catches for 98 yards and one touchdown) along with Nate-Craig Myers (Four catches for 78 yards and one touchdown) will be the key to a successful air game.
Defensive coordinator Kevin Steele will look to
Marlon Davidson, Derrick Brown and Byron Cowart to led the defensive front.Deshaun Davis and Tre’ Williams are entrenched at linebacker, and Tray Matthews is the leader in the secondary.
There aren’t many kickers in the country more reliable than Daniel Carlson, and he could be the difference in close games this season.

Auburn Schedule
Sept. 2 Georgia Southern
Sept. 9 at Clemson
Sept. 16 Mercer
Sept. 23 at Missouri
Sept. 30 Mississippi State
Oct. 7 Ole Miss
Oct. 14 at LSU
Oct. 21 at Arkansas
Nov. 4 at Texas A&M
Nov. 11 Georgia
Nov. 18 ULM
Nov. 25 Alabama