(Written in August - update)
More players have left the team for the Tigers (T.J. Meers and T.J. Dunigan) and things have not worked out well for the academic ineligibles getting reinstated. Looking to 1999, a few HS Seniors have already verbally committed to Auburn - sooner than I can ever remember. Practice reports indicate an intersting race for backup QB. Some of the Offensive line depth that has been reported in earlier months is beginning to dwindle meaning that the running game will still be a little suspect but probably improved some. Ben Leard will be good but in a learning mode at QB this season. I will keep my prediction at 7-4 but a 6-5 with no bowl is still a possibility.

(Written in July - update)
The offseason continues to worsen for the Tigers. Please refer to my article on the 1998 Recruits for details. Several of our best recruits may be unavailble and some may never play for Auburn. Our depth woes continue this year and into the next century. Here is a summary of how Auburn matches up against this year's schedule:

Almost sure wins: Louisiana Tech, Central Florida
Auburn should be favored: Virginia, Georgia, Arkansas
Even Money: Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Alabama
Opponent favored: LSU, Tennessee
Almost sure loss: Florida

I see a 7-4 season followed by a trip to Shreveport as a hopeful goal now.

(Written in June - update)
The off season has been a little tough on the Tigers. There have been some team members in trouble and kicked off the team. The losses of potential star, Robert Baker is a major blow to the wide receiver core and the special teams. Martavious Houston also added the needed depth inthe secondary. The Lindy's Southeastern Football magazine has Auburn rated 37th inthe nation, 7th in the SEC and 5th in the SEC West. I am not quite as pessamistic, however the road is not an easy one.

(Written in February)
I decided to merge these two features, because how can one review the past without looking to the future. Auburn is passing out of one era and into another on offense as Dameyune Craig departs and makes way for Ben Leard. I expect us to become more of a balanced offense as Leard directs the offense as a drop-back passer and uses Demontray Carter as his primary rusher. Auburn will probably try to bulk up DC a bit in the off season and make him a tougher back to go along with his quickness and speed. On defense, we do lose a couple of great one (Spikes and Neal) but Bill Oliver has build a legacy to continue to build from. We may have a season similar to 1983 during which we had a good offense but a dominating defense. I am happy that Terry Bowden settled his contract with Auburn Univ. That was certainly a distraction last season. As for more specifics on the season just completed, my commentary all season was that we had a good defense, we could pass well...at times... and that we needed to run the ball better. Those feelings played out at various times all season. Our defense kept us in some games that might have been lost in other years. At times, D Craig looked brilliant on offense - he is a great athlete and will probably be a great asset for whatever CFL team gets him. Other times, I wondered what he was doing out there. Terry B should have probably benched him a few times just to settle him down. This would have also allowed Leard to have more game experience for this season. He feared bruising Craig's ego, I suppose. The ofensive line was not well trained in run blocking but did pretty well against the pass. With a balanced offense in 1998, the OL will have to improve. We will miss Jaret Holmes who will certainly be playing in the NFL, somewhere. Matt Hawkins should do a fine job and will hopefully grow into a star. In retrospect, it's hard to say more than I already have each week. Next year, I plan to purchase season tickets and my goal is to attend 3 home games and 2 road games. I will probably have some tix for sale during the season.

WAR EAGLE!