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Auburn Tries to Rebuild Burnt Bridge in 2022 

CFB 2022 Future Betting:  Auburn Tigers

Overall, Auburn made more news in the offseason than in the 2021 campaign.  Following a strong start, new head coach Bryan Harsin saw his team collapse to finish 6-7.  Worst of all, clock mismanagement cost War Eagle a win in the Iron Bowl against Alabama.   Of great concern is that Harsin has overseen a lot of coaching turnover on his staff.  All of this led to a poor College football betting recruiting class, at least by Auburn and SEC standards.  Auburn has long been known for its meddlesome boosters.  And last spring, those big money donors revolted.

CFB 2022 Future Betting:  Auburn Tigers

2022 Auburn Tigers CashBet Future Odds: Over-Under Win Total 5.5
Odds to Win National Championship +15000
Odds to Win SEC +6600

A Near Palace Coup  

While Harsin was out of the country on vacation, Auburn boosters moved to oust him.  To show, they circulated stories on social media that he was having an affair with a young female staffer.  They even leaked pictures of the woman.  As a result, Harsin seemed to be as good as fired.  But the story was proven false.  Harsin limped home to a job nobody wanted him to have.  That is hardly the way to start an online sportsbook football season in the brutal SEC.

Can Harsin Recover?

Bryan Harsin had his name mutilated amid an investigation into his treatment of fellow coaches and players.  Although he survived the investigation, the Betting on college football damage remains.  The football program has experienced significant upheaval under Harsin.  Consider that the second-year head coach is already on his third offensive and second defensive coordinator.

Also gone is three-year starting quarterback Bo Nix, who transferred to Oregon.  Nix comes from a true Auburn family.  His father played for the Tigers.  Thus, Harsin needs to improve in 2022 if he wants to survive more than a couple of seasons on the Plains.

Harsin’s long-term future depends on which quarterback he picks as the starter this season.  With Nix gone, there are plenty of bet on NCAAF options, but each comes with a set of pluses and minuses.

Looking Ahead to 2022

Texas A&M transfer Zach Calzada defeated Alabama in the 2021 regular season but was limited during spring practice.  But Calzada must take a big leap from his production at A&M.  Former LSU Tiger T.J. Finley started three games last season after Nix went down with an ankle injury.  But Finley lost all three games and managed a mediocre 54.7 percent completion rate.

Defensive Changes Galore

Former Vanderbilt head coach Derek Mason left after only one season as Auburn’s defensive coordinator.  In turn, Mason took a lateral move to accept the same position for much less money at Oklahoma State.  Now Harsin has turned to Jeff Schmedding.  Previously Schmedding was Harsin’s defensive coordinator at Boise State.  Schmedding spent the 2021 season as Auburn’s linebacker coach.

Schmedding takes over a group that lost several key betting on NCAAF assets from the 2021 season. Of major concern is that Auburn’s offense doesn’t have the firepower to get into shootouts.  That puts a heavy burden on the defense to keep the Tigers in games.

Harsin Gets a Kick out of Specialists

Auburn returns one of the nation’s best kickers in Anders Carlson, who was 14-of-21 on field goals.  Punter Oscar Chapman was terrific last season, finishing with a 44.1 yards per punt average.

Despite a strong and proud football history, the Auburn Tigers have always played in the state’s shadow of the Alabama Crimson Tide.   Auburn has two claimed and four unclaimed national championships.

Of course, the great Bo Jackson remains the biggest name in Auburn football history.

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