2018 Auburn Tigers football team

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2018 Auburn Tigers football
Auburn Tigers logo.svg
Music City Bowl champion
Music City Bowl, W 63–14 vs. Purdue
ConferenceSoutheastern Conference
DivisionWestern Division
2018 record8–5 (3–5 SEC)
Head coach
  • Gus Malzahn (6th season)
Offensive coordinatorChip Lindsey (2nd season)
Co-offensive coordinatorKodi Burns (3rd season)
Defensive coordinatorKevin Steele (3rd season)
Home stadiumJordan–Hare Stadium
(Capacity: 87,451)
Seasons
← 2017
2019 →
2018 Southeastern Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
East Division
No.Georgia x   7 1     11 3  
No. 12 Kentucky   5 3     10 3  
No.Florida   5 3     10 3  
South Carolina   4 4     7 6  
Missouri   4 4     8 5  
Vanderbilt   3 5     6 7  
Tennessee   2 6     5 7  
West Division
No. 2 Alabama x$^   8 0     14 1  
No. 16 Texas A&M   5 3     9 4  
No. 6 LSU   5 3     10 3  
Auburn   3 5     8 5  
Ole Miss   1 7     5 7  
Arkansas   0 8     2 10  
Mississippi State*   0 4     0 5  
Championship: Alabama 35, Georgia 28
  • ^ – College Football Playoff participant
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • * Mississippi State vacated four conference and eight total wins due to NCAA violations.[1]
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2018 Auburn Tigers football team represented Auburn University in the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Tigers played their home games at Jordan–Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama and competed in the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). They were led by sixth-year head coach Gus Malzahn. The Tigers finished the season 8–5, 3–5 in SEC play to finish 5th in the West Division. They were invited to the Music City Bowl, where they defeated Purdue.

Previous season[]

The Tigers finished the 2017 season 10–4, 7–1 in SEC play to win a share of the Western Division title with Alabama. Due to their head-to-head win over Alabama, they represented the Western Division in the SEC Championship Game and lost to Georgia. They were invited to the Peach Bowl where they lost to UCF.

Recruiting[]

Position key[]

Back B Center C Cornerback CB Defensive back DB
Defensive end DE Defensive lineman DL Defensive tackle DT End E
Fullback FB Guard G Halfback HB Kicker K
Kickoff returner KR Offensive tackle OT Offensive lineman OL Linebacker LB
Long snapper LS Punter P Punt returner PR Quarterback QB
Running back RB Safety S Tight end TE Wide receiver WR

Recruits[]

The Tigers signed a total of 24 recruits.

Spring game[]

The A-Day spring game was held on Saturday, April 7. Bad weather led to the lowest attendance for A-Day in the Gus Malzahn era as head coach, as only 28,033 showed up. The game was dominated by defense, and only 28 total points were scored between the two teams. Many starters did not play or did not see significant time on the field due to the amount of injuries Auburn had already suffered during the spring. For their performances, C.J. Tolbert was named Offensive MVP, Nick Coe was named Defensive MVP, and Anders Carlson was named Special Teams MVP.

2018 Auburn A-Day Game
1 2 34Total
Blue 3 0 0710
Orange 2 13 0318

at Jordan-Hare StadiumAuburn, Alabama

  • Date: April 7, 2018
  • Game time: 3:00 p.m.
  • Game attendance: 28,033
  • TV announcers (SEC Network): Clay Matvick (play-by-play), Jordan Rodgers (analyst), Laura Rutledge (sideline reporter)

Preseason[]

Award watch lists[]

Listed in the order that they were released

Award Player Position Year
Lott Trophy[2] Deshaun Davis LB SR
Chuck Bednarik Award[3] Javaris Davis CB JR
Dontavius Russell DT SR
Maxwell Award[4] Jarrett Stidham QB JR
Davey O'Brien Award[5] Jarrett Stidham QB JR
Fred Biletnikoff Award[6] Ryan Davis WR SR
Butkus Award[7] Deshaun Davis LB SR
Bronko Nagurski Trophy[8] Derrick Brown DL JR
Marlon Davidson DL JR
Outland Trophy[9] Derrick Brown DL JR
Wuerffel Trophy[10] Derrick Brown DL JR
Walter Camp Award[11] Jarrett Stidham QB JR
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award[12] Jarrett Stidham QB JR
Manning Award[13] Jarrett Stidham QB JR
Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award[14] Jarrett Stidham QB JR

SEC media poll[]

The SEC media poll was released on July 20, 2018 with the Tigers predicted to finish in second place in the West Division.[15]

Media poll (West)
Predicted finish Team Votes (1st place)
1 Alabama 1,971 (263)
2 Auburn 1,664 (19)
3 Mississippi State 1,239 (2)
4 Texas A&M 1,091
5 LSU 1,025
6 Ole Miss 578
7 Arkansas 412

Preseason All-SEC teams[]

The Tigers had nine players selected to the preseason all-SEC teams.

Schedule[]

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
September 12:30 p.m.vs. No. 6 Washington*No. 9
ABCW 21–1670,103
September 86:30 p.m.Alabama State*No. 7SECNW 63–984,806
September 152:30 p.m.No. 12 LSUNo. 7
  • Jordan–Hare Stadium
  • Auburn, AL (rivalry)
CBSL 21–2286,787
September 226:30 p.m.ArkansasNo. 11
  • Jordan–Hare Stadium
  • Auburn, AL
SECNW 34–384,188
September 293:00 p.m.Southern Miss*daggerNo. 10
  • Jordan–Hare Stadium
  • Auburn, AL
SECNW 24–1383,792
October 66:30 p.m.at Mississippi StateNo. 8
  • Davis Wade Stadium
  • Starkville, MS
ESPN2L 9–2360,635
October 1311:00 a.m.TennesseeNo. 21
SECNL 24–3084,589
October 2011:00 a.m.at Ole MissESPNW 31–1656,885
November 311:00 a.m.No. 20 Texas A&M
  • Jordan–Hare Stadium
  • Auburn, AL
ESPNW 28–2485,945
November 106:00 p.m.at No. 5 GeorgiaNo. 24
ESPNL 10–2792,746
November 173:00 p.m.Liberty*
  • Jordan–Hare Stadium
  • Auburn, AL
SECNW 53–081,129
November 242:30 p.m.at No. 1 Alabama
CBSL 21–52101,821
December 2812:30 p.m.vs. Purdue*
ESPNW 63–1459,024
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll and CFP Rankings after November 5 released prior to game
  • All times are in Central time
Schedule Source:[16]

Game summaries[]

vs. Washington[]

2018 Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game
No. 6 Washington Huskies vs. No. 9 Auburn Tigers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
No. 6 Washington 3 10 0316
No. 9 Auburn 9 6 0621

at Mercedes-Benz StadiumAtlanta, Georgia

  • Date: September 1, 2018
  • Game time: 2:43 p.m.
  • Game weather: Indoors
  • Game attendance: 70,103
  • Referee: John O'Neill
  • TV announcers (ABC): Steve Levy (play-by-play), Brian Griese (analyst), Todd McShay (sideline reporter)
Game information

Alabama State[]

Alabama State Hornets at No. 7 Auburn Tigers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Alabama State 0 2 709
No. 7 Auburn 21 21 71463

at Jordan-Hare StadiumAuburn, Alabama

  • Date: September 8, 2018
  • Game time: 6:39 p.m.
  • Game weather: Temperature: 87° • Wind: SE 5 mph • Weather: Partly cloudy
  • Game attendance: 84,806
  • Referee: Hubert Owens
  • TV announcers (SEC Network Alternate): Mark Neely (play-by-play), Barrett Jones (analyst), Taylor Davis (sideline reporter)
Game information

LSU[]

No. 12 LSU Tigers at No. 7 Auburn Tigers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
No. 12 LSU 7 3 3922
No. 7 Auburn 0 14 7021

at Jordan-Hare StadiumAuburn, Alabama

  • Date: September 15, 2018
  • Game time: 2:39 p.m.
  • Game weather: Temperature: 93° • Wind: N 10 mph • Weather: Partly Cloudy
  • Game attendance: 86,787
  • Referee: John McDaid
  • TV announcers (CBS): Brad Nessler (play-by-play), Gary Danielson (analyst), Jamie Erdahl (sideline reporter)
Game information

Arkansas[]

Arkansas Razorbacks at No. 9 Auburn Tigers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Arkansas 0 0 303
No. 9 Auburn 10 7 71034

at Jordan-Hare StadiumAuburn, Alabama

  • Date: September 22, 2018
  • Game time: 6:39 p.m.
  • Game weather: Temperature: 85° • Wind: SE 9 mph • Weather: Partly cloudy
  • Game attendance: 84,188
  • Referee: Ken Williamson
  • TV announcers (SEC Network): Tom Hart (play-by-play), Jordan Rodgers (analyst), Cole Cubelic (sideline reporter)
Game information

Southern Miss[]

Southern Miss Golden Eagles at No. 10 Auburn Tigers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Southern Miss 0 3 3713
No. 10 Auburn 7 7 7324

at Jordan-Hare StadiumAuburn, Alabama

  • Date: September 29, 2018
  • Game time: 3:01 p.m.
  • Game weather: Temperature: 85° • Wind: 3 mph NW • Weather: Sunny
  • Game attendance: 83,792
  • Referee: David Smith
  • TV announcers (SEC Network): Dave Neal (play-by-play), D.J. Shockley (analyst), Dawn Davenport (sideline reporter)
Game information

at Mississippi State[]

No. 8 Auburn Tigers at Mississippi State Bulldogs – Game summary
1 2 34Total
No. 8 Auburn 3 0 339
Mississippi State 3 10 3723

at Davis Wade StadiumStarkville, Mississippi

  • Date: October 6, 2018
  • Game time: 6:35 p.m.
  • Game weather: Temperature: 81° • Wind: SE 3 mph • Weather: Clear skies
  • Game attendance: 60,635
  • Referee: James Carter
  • TV announcers (ESPN2): Mark Jones (play-by-play), Dusty Dvoracek (analyst), Molly McGrath (sideline reporter)
Game information

Tennessee[]

Tennessee Volunteers at No. 21 Auburn Tigers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Tennessee 3 10 14330
No. 21 Auburn 10 7 0724

at Jordan-Hare StadiumAuburn, Alabama

  • Date: October 13, 2018
  • Game time: 11:01 a.m.
  • Game weather: Temperature: 70° • Wind: N 6 mph • Weather: Sunny
  • Game attendance: 84,589
  • Referee: Matt Austin
  • TV announcers (SEC Network): Dave Neal (play-by-play), D.J. Shockley (analyst), Dawn Davenport (sideline reporter)
Game information

at Ole Miss[]

Auburn Tigers at Ole Miss Rebels – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Auburn 7 3 21031
Ole Miss 3 3 3716

at Vaught-Hemmingway StadiumOxford, Mississippi

  • Date: October 20, 2018
  • Game time: 11:02 a.m.
  • Game weather: Temperature: 59° • Wind: • Weather: Cloudy
  • Game attendance: 56,885
  • Referee: David Smith
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Adam Amin (play-by-play), Rod Gilmore (analyst), Quint Kessenich (sideline reporter)
Game information

Texas A&M[]

No. 25 Texas A&M Aggies at Auburn Tigers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
No. 25 Texas A&M 3 14 7024
Auburn 7 7 01428

at Jordan-Hare StadiumAuburn, Alabama

  • Date: November 3, 2018
  • Game time: 11:03 a.m.
  • Game weather: Temperature: 53° • Wind: SE 3 mph • Weather: Sunny
  • Game attendance: 85,945
  • Referee: Ken Williamson
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Bob Wischusen (play-by-play), Brock Huard (analyst), Allison Williams (sideline reporter)
Game information

at Georgia[]

Auburn Tigers at No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Auburn 7 3 0010
No. 5 Georgia 3 17 0727

at Sanford StadiumAthens, Georgia

  • Date: November 10, 2018
  • Game time: 6:10 p.m.
  • Game weather: Temperature: 45° • Wind: Calm • Weather: Clear
  • Game attendance: 92,746
  • Referee: John McDaid
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Sean McDonough (play-by-play), Todd Blackledge (analyst), Holly Rowe (sideline reporter)
Game information

Liberty[]

Liberty Flames at Auburn Tigers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Liberty 0 0 000
Auburn 15 17 21053

at Jordan-Hare StadiumAuburn, Alabama

  • Date: November 17, 2018
  • Game time: 3:01 p.m.
  • Game weather: Temperature: 66° • Wind: NW 2 mph • Weather: Sunny
  • Game attendance: 81,129
  • Referee: Jason Autrey
  • TV announcers (SEC Network Alternate): Richard Cross (play-by-play), Hutson Mason (analyst), Taylor Davis (sideline reporter)
Game information

at Alabama[]

Auburn Tigers at No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Auburn 7 7 7021
No. 1 Alabama 7 10 211452

at Bryant-Denny StadiumTuscaloosa, Alabama

  • Date: November 24, 2018
  • Game time: 2:39 p.m.
  • Game attendance: 101,821
  • Referee: Hubert Owens
  • TV announcers (CBS): Brad Nessler (play-by-play), Gary Danielson (analyst), Jamie Erdahl (sideline reporter)

vs. Purdue[]

2018 Music City Bowl
Purdue Boilermakers vs. Auburn Tigers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Purdue 7 0 7014
Auburn 28 28 7063

at Nissan StadiumNashville, Tennessee

  • Date: December 28, 2018
  • Game time: 12:33 p.m.
  • Game attendance: 59,024
  • Referee: Brad Van Vark
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Anish Shroff (play-by-play), Ahmad Brooks (analyst), Roddy Jones (sideline reporter)

Rankings[]

Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking. ██ Decrease in ranking.
NR = Not ranked. RV = Received votes. т = Tied with team above or below. ( ) = First place votes.
Week
Poll Pre 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Final 
AP 9 7 7 9 10 8 21 NR RV RV RV RV RV NR NR RV 
Coaches 10 7 7 11 10 9 21 RV RV RV RV RV RV NR NR RV 
CFP Not released NR 24 NR NR NR NR Not released

Players drafted into the NFL[]

Round Pick Player Position NFL Club
3 94 Jamel Dean CB Tampa Bay Buccaneers
4 133 Jarrett Stidham QB New England Patriots
5 171 Darius Slayton WR New York Giants
6 210 Deshaun Davis LB Cincinnati Bengals
7 233 Chandler Cox FB Miami Dolphins
7 235 Dontavius Russell DT Jacksonville Jaguars

References[]

  1. ^ Journal, Logan Lowery Daily. "MSU fires Moorhead after two seasons". Daily Journal. All eight of Moorhead's victories in 2018 had to be vacated after 10 football players were reprimanded by the NCAA for academic misconduct involving a former part-time tutor and an online chemistry class.
  2. ^ "2018 Watch List | Lott IMPACT Trophy | Honoring College Football's Defensive Best". lottimpacttrophy.org. Retrieved 2018-07-17.
  3. ^ "2018 Bednarik Award Watch List - Maxwell Football Club". Maxwell Football Club. 2018-07-16. Archived from the original on 2018-07-16. Retrieved 2018-07-17.
  4. ^ "2018 Maxwell Award Watch List". July 16, 2018. Archived from the original on July 16, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
  5. ^ "Davey O'Brien Award Watch List includes 26 players". July 17, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
  6. ^ "2018 Biletnikoff Award Watch List". July 19, 2018. Retrieved July 19, 2018.
  7. ^ "Butkus Award - 2018 Collegiate Watchlist". The Butkus Award. July 23, 2018. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
  8. ^ "2018 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Preseason Watch List". July 24, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  9. ^ "22018 OUTLAND TROPHY WATCH LIST UNVEILED". July 24, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  10. ^ "Wuerffel Trophy Unveils 2018 Watch List". July 26, 2018. Archived from the original on July 26, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
  11. ^ Carbone, Al (July 27, 2018). "Walter Camp Football Foundation Announces 2018 Player of the Year Preseason "Watch List"". Retrieved July 30, 2018.
  12. ^ "Watch List for 2018 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award ® Presented by A. O. Smith Announced". August 14, 2018. Retrieved August 17, 2018.
  13. ^ "Manning Award: See which quarterbacks made the preseason watch list for 2018". August 16, 2018. Retrieved August 17, 2018.
  14. ^ "2018 Nominations The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award" (PDF). August 16, 2018. Retrieved August 17, 2018.
  15. ^ "Media predicts Alabama to win 2018 SEC Championship".
  16. ^ "2018 Auburn Tigers Football Schedule". FB Schedules. Retrieved January 6, 2018.
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