The Gus Bus has finally let off all of its passengers. Former head coach Gus Malzahn led the Auburn Tigers program from 2013 through 2019. Overall, Gus gave War Eagle fans a wild ride of extreme highs and lows. In his first season, Malzahn led the Tigers to the national championship game. There, they lost in the final moments to Jameis Winston and the Florida State Seminoles. Subsequently, the Gus Bus never reached that height again. Auburn never again finished inside the top ten. Although they went to a betting on College Football bowl game every year under Malzahn.
2021 Auburn Tigers Betting Odds
Team | Odds |
---|---|
Odds to win National Championship: | +8000 |
Odds to win SEC Conference: | +2200 |
2021 Regular Season Win Total: | +7 |
2021 Auburn Tigers Team Overview
Most important of all, Malzahn was one of the few coaches to score multiple wins over Nick Saban and Alabama. That success earned him a massive contract raise and extension. But it was the maddening online betting inconsistency that did Malzahn in.
Among the great challenges for any head coach at Auburn is dealing with its many political fan factions. This continuous civil war has gone on for decades and was part of the reason for Malzahn’s demise. Overall, Malzahn spent the last several seasons on one of the hottest seats in the country. Finally, Auburn him $21.5 million to go away. Thus, it was determined that it was time to go outside the Auburn Family for the next coach. Enter Bryan Harsin, the former coach of the Boise State Broncos, his alma mater.
To be exact, Bryan Harsin did what all Bose State Broncos coaches do. He won big and went bowling. Harsin used the famed blue carpet of their home field for one of college football’s great success stories. Indeed, Boise State is one of the sport’s unique programs. And Harsin knew it inside and out as a former player, assistant, and then head coach. Harsin went 69-19 with four final top 25 national finishes.
But Harsin learned another lesson while at his alma mater. There is a ceiling to just how far high you can rise at Boise. Accordingly, a chance to coach the Auburn Tigers is a leap that proved impossible to pass up.
Bryan Harsin inherits a two-year starting quarterback in Bo Nix. Correlate Nix emulated Gus Malzahn to perfection with incredible highs and lows. Harsin and new offensive coordinator Mike Bobo are charged with getting Nix into a more consistent level of play. Nix is considered a middle-of-the-pack SEC quarterback. Thus, Harsin may look elsewhere for his signal-caller.
Namely, running back Tank Bigsby was the 2020 SEC Freshman of the Year and will keep defenses honest. A veteran offensive line should also help improve production for the 2021 campaign.
Coach Derek Mason
Former Vanderbilt head coach Derek Mason is the new defensive coordinator for Auburn. Specifically, Mason brings a strong defensive reputation and expertise as a veteran SEC coach. Mason will love the talent upgrade at Auburn after years of second-rate talent at Vanderbilt.
2021 Auburn Tigers Schedule Highlights
It is true that Harsin has one of the toughest non-conference games of any coach this year. Auburn is at the Penn State Nittany Lions on September 18.
The loaded Georgia Bulldogs visit Auburn on October 9. While a tough Betting on College Football road game at Texas A&M on November 6 will test Harsin’s ability.
November 27 brings the Iron Bowl and the Alabama Crimson Tide at Auburn. Certainly, Harsin will be baptized under fire to the most intense rivalry in the sport.
2021 Auburn Tigers SBG Best Bet: Auburn Under 7 Wins.