Unlike its in-state rival Alabama, Auburn isn’t playing in the College Football Playoff National Championship on Monday night. The Tigers didn’t spend all last week preparing for Deshaun Watson. Instead, Gus Malzahn spent the week retooling his defensive staff in hopes that his team can make a run at the title down the road.
Remember, Auburn is just two years removed from playing in the national championship game. However, a lot has changed since that loss to Florida State.
The defense saw a similar overhaul last year when Malzahn brought in Will Muschamp (defensive coordinator), Travaris Robinson (DBs coach) and Lance Thompson (LBs coach) to try and improve a unit that finished 10th in the SEC in scoring defense.