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Mar 28, 2024
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Week One SEC Predictions
Auburn opens its 2015 campaign in the Chick-fil-a Kickoff Game in Atlanta against Louisville on CBS at 2:30 pm CT. Auburn leads the all-time series 1-0 after winning 16-3 back in 1974.

Auburn vs. Louisville

Bobby Petrino is in his second year as head coach at Louisville. Last year, the Cardinals went 9-4, with road wins at Notre Dame, Syracuse and Boston College. Will Gardner started seven games at quarterback last season but suffered the third knee injury of his career and had to sit out the spring.

Louisville averaged 31.2 points per game and 394.7 yards per game of total offense a year ago.

Petrino hasn't named a starter at quarterback for Saturday's contest. Gardner, Reggie Bonnafon, and.Kyle Bolin are all options to start under center.

Louisville's top three receivers from last season are gone but James Quick returns after hauling in 36 catches for 566 yards and three touchdowns in 2014. Tight end Keith Towbridge is also back with experience with nine catches for 107 yards.

In the backfield, Brandon Radcliff returns after an impressive 2014 campaign when he had 737 yards on 144 carries with 12 touchdowns. L.J. Scott is another option at tailback after getting 29 touches for 201 yards and two touchdowns last year.

Defensively, Louisville allowed 21.8 points per game and 308.5 yards per game of total defense in 2014. The unit has to replace seven starters from a year ago but defensive lineman Sheldon Rankins is back along with linebackers James Burgess and Keith Kelsey. Transfers Josh Harvey-Clemons and Shaq Wiggins add depth and experience to defensive coordinator Todd Grantham's unit.

Gus Malzhan enters his third season as head coach at Auburn. After a disappointing 8-5 season a year ago, the Tigers are hoping 2015 produces better results.

Malzhan's offense will be led by Jeremy Johnson, who served as the backup quarterback for the last two seasons. Last year, Johnson Johnson saw action in seven games while completing 28-of-37 passes for 436 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions.

Sammie Coates and Quan Bray are gone from last year's group of receivers but Duke Williams is expected to be the leader for the unit in 2015. In 10 games last season, Williams had 45 receptions for 730 yards and five touchdowns. Ricardo Louis, Marcus Davis, Melvin Ray and Stanton Truitt all provide options for Johnson down field.

In the backfield, Roc Thomas is expected to get the bulk of carries against Louisville. As a freshman last season, Thomas had 43 carries for 214 yards and two touchdowns in 12 games.

Jovon Robinson, Peyton Barber, and Kerryon Johnson have all had impressive fall camps and should see the field Saturday.

Defensively, Will Muschamp takes over a unit that ranked 66th in the nation in total defense (398.8 yards per game), 82nd in pass defense (239.2 yards per game), 46th in rushing defense (149.5 yards per game), and 63rd in scoring defense (26.7 points per game) a year ago.

Auburn lost four of five key contributors to graduation along the line but defensive tackle Montravius Adams returns as the most experienced tackle after 10 starts as a sophomore last season. Adams racked up 43 tackles, eight behind the line of scrimmage, three sacks, 17 hurries, one interception, and one fumble recovery.

Defensive end Carl Lawson returns after sitting out the entire 2014 season while recovering from a torn ACL. As a freshman in 2013, Lawson had 20 tackles, including 7.5 tackles-for-loss, and was second on the team with four sacks.

Cassanova McKinzy and Kris Frost are back at the linebacker position. The duo have played in a combined 71 games and have combined a total of 340 tackles in their careers.

In the secondary, Auburn will get some much needed help from Georgia transfer Tray Matthews. As a true freshman in 2013 at Georgia, Matthews had 36 tackles, one interception and a forced fumble.

At the cornerback spot, Jonathan Jones and Joshua Holsey return from last year's squad. Jones had a breakout season in 2014, with 36 tackles, six interceptions and 17 passes defended. Holsey had 42 tackles and two pass breakups.

Prediction: Auburn 41-24.

UNC at South Carolina

Prediction: South Carolina 24-20.



W Kentucky at Vanderbilt

Prediction: Vandy 17-10.



UL Monroe at Georgia

Prediction: Georgia 48-10.



UT Martin at Ole Miss

Prediction: Ole Miss 38-6.



UTEP at Arkansas

Prediction: Arkansas 27-10.



SE Missouri St at Missouri

Prediction: Missouri 40-7.



Bowling Green at Tennessee

Prediction: Tennessee 35-13.



Arizona State at Texas A&M

Prediction: Texas A&M 30-14.



LA-Lafayette at Kentucky

Prediction: Kentucky 34-13.



McNeese State at LSU

Prediction: LSU 36-9.



New Mexico St at Florida

Prediction: Florida 39-13.



Wisconsin at Alabama

Prediction: Alabama 21-17.



Miss St at Southern Miss

Prediction: Miss St 23-17.