Coffee and Magnolia: 26 August 2015

SOCCER

AU_Jonesy reviewed Auburn's opening weekend out in California. It turned out to be a very good one!

It turns out that the folks who make the national rankings for soccer took notice, too. The Tigers appeared at #16, their highest ranking in almost a decade.

SOFTBALL

Another honor for Auburn softball player Emily Carosone, who finished tops in the nation in runs per game. The rising junior was a huge part of Auburn's success, and figures to be right there this coming season, as well.

FOOTBALL

Carl Lawson has been added to another Watch List. This time it's the Lombardi Award. That means it's a good time to go back and read Emily's preview of Lawson from earlier this month!

Speaking of Watch Lists, Montravius Adams was named to the watch list for a brand new, highly prestigious, and TOTALLY REAL (no, really, they will have a real trophy for it) award. The Piesman.

Gus talked about Louisville a bit in his press conference last night, but mainly focused on his own team. It's starting to get real that football is almost back, now. Plus we have our first visitors from Louisville folks in that thread! Y'all go say hi. Be nice, though. Or at least try to. The official site has a little more detail.

Nine Auburn Tigers are on the SEC coaches' preseason All-SEC Team. Only one made the First Team. Somehow I missed putting something about this on the site, yesterday. It came out right as I was about to start teaching one of my classes and then I got so busy with other work afterwards that it slipped my mind.

AL.com took a crack at what they believe Auburn's depth chart would look like right now. Those views may change a bit between now and game day next Saturday. Will Muschamp may not decide who to start at the linebacker spots until the defense steps onto the field for the first time.

When might Gus Malzahn name a starting running back? It's likely to be by committee for the first few games, just as it has been in recent years. I'll say what I've been saying for months: I want fresh legs we can put in for the 3rd and 4th quarter to demoralize a defense.

Strange things often become the hallmarks of a team with great chemistry. For Auburn's defensive backs, it appears its a hair style. If the secondary ends up having a standout season, expect to hear this story repeated a few times during the year.

ESPN lists their Top 10 SEC games for 2015. Auburn makes an appearance three times in that list. Two of them in the Top 3. The Tigers also make two appearances in their Top 10 games they believe the College Football Playoff Committee will be watching. One is obvious. The other not so much, but it's very understandable.

For video, ESPN has a feature on whether or not Auburn fans should be buying into the hype surrounding the team.