In 2010, Auburn's defense was outstanding against the run but often struggled defending the pass. The pass defense must improve in 2011 if the Tigers want to win enough games to become bowl eligible.

Last year, with the offense averaging 41.2 points per game, the defense didn't have to play lights out during the entire game for Auburn to leave the field with a victory. The defense surrendered a lot of points in the first half before clamping down in the second half. The unit gave up just 117 points in the second half and overtime, including just 48 in the fourth quarter and overtime, after allowing 201 in the first half. Most of the points that the defense allowed in the first half was a result of the secondary playing too soft against the pass. In 14 games, the secondary allowed 18 passing touchdowns in the first half compared to just seven in the entire second half. The 18 passing touchdowns in the first half often put the Tigers in a hole early. The Tigers trailed in over half of their 14 victories and overcame double-digit deficits to beat Clemson, South Carolina, Georgia and arch-rival Alabama. Against the Tide, the Tigers rallied from a 24-0 second quarter deficit to win 28-27. It marked the largest deficit overcome in a victory in school history. With a new quarterback under center, a rebuilt offensive line, and an inexperienced group of wide receivers, Auburn's offense may struggle to put points on the scoreboard. If the offense does lag behind in production, the same stingy pass defense that was on the field in the second half last year and for the entire contest against Oregon in the BCS Championship Game needs to show up for all four quarters throughout the upcoming season. With the departure of seniors Zac Etheridge, Aairon Savage, and Demond Washington, Auburn will have to rely on returning players T'Sharvan Bell and Neiko Thorpe, and a group of inexperienced players to man its defensive backfield. Bell is expected to start at one of the cornerback spots. Last year as a sophomore, Bell started the season slow but became the team’s most reliable cover guy at the end of the year. He saw action in 11 games with three starts and totaled 38 tackles and one interception. Neiko Thorpe (Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com) Thorpe will start at free safety in 2011 after starting 27 games at corner during his career at Auburn. As a junior last year, Thorpe started 13 games at corner and was third on the team with 64 tackles. The coaches decided the move to safety will enable Thorpe to cover more ground using his speed. He fills the spot left vacated by Mike McNeil, who was dismissed from the team after being arrested for armed robbery. Sophomore Chris Davis will battle Jonathon Mincy for a chance to start at the other cornerback spot. Davis appeared in 14 games, with 19 total tackles and three passes defended. Mincy was set to see playing time in 2010 as a freshman but wound up in the coach's doghouse and was redshirted. Demetruce McNeal is expected to start at strong safety. McNeal lacks experience after playing mostly on special teams last year. He finished with 24 tackles and broke up one pass in 13 games as a true freshman. Newcomers Erique Florence and Robenson Therezie will challenge McNeal for the starting job in fall camp. Florence has good size for a safety but will have to learn the position after playing quarterback during his senior season of high school. Therezie enrolled in the second semester of summer school and was able to participate in summer workouts. Senior Drew Cole and junior Ikeem Means will provide more depth for the Tigers at safety. Cole has been plagued by injuries throughout his career while Means has seen most of his playing time on special teams. Newcomer Jonathan Rose enrolled at Auburn in January and participated in spring drills. Rose, one of the top players in Alabama high school football last season, has enough talent to make an immediate impact at either safety or corner. Phil Marion Next week: Special Teams Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers Running Backs Offensive Line Defensive Line Linebackers