Todd’s the answer at Auburn

By John McMullen  |   Tuesday, July 01, 2008  |  Comments( 1 )

Auburn Tigers
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Normally if a football team is expected to make a run at the SEC West and a BCS berth, a few things have to be in place, most notably talent and experience.

Talent virtually always trumps coaching -- especially on the college level. Even if you have an X's and O's genius roaming the sidelines -- Charlie Weis, for instance -- it's hard to match up with the athletes a Pete Carroll throws at you. If you don't have the horses, then, you don't have a chance.

The Auburn Tigers certainly have enough "horses." The talent on hand is good enough that a number of national experts have pegged the Tigers as a top-10 team.

With that said, the experience might not be there, especially on the offensive side of the ball. With a new offensive coordinator in Tony Franklin and a muddled quarterback situation, it's hard to imagine Auburn exploding out of the starting blocks.

Franklin, a practitioner of the spread offense, and boss Tommy Tuberville are trying to decide between Kodi Burns and junior college transfer Chris Todd under center.

Burns would have to be labeled the incumbent. He saw limited action as a freshman last season behind Brandon Cox, completing just 10-of-26 passes for 145 yards and two touchdowns. He did show big-play ability with his legs, however, gaining 231 yards on the ground and finding the end zone three times.

Meanwhile, Todd lacks the ability to scare a defense with his legs but is the purer passer and has shown a better understanding of Franklin's complex schemes during offseason workouts. At 6-foot-4, the Kentucky native also looks the part, but shoulder problems have slowed him.

If healthy, Todd should get the nod. To run a spread offense correctly, the ability to throw the ball is far more important than being able to move the chains with your legs.

While 26 passes isn't much of a sample size, the fact that Burns connected on just 10 last season is an ominous statistic, one that leads you to believe the sophomore lacks accuracy -- which can lead to unforced errors and early turnovers.

It's not fair to write Burns off -- after all, he can be a role player in QB draw situations -- but if Tuberville and Franklin are being honest, they are crossing their fingers and hoping Todd's shoulder holds up.
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About John McMullen

John is the managing editor of The Phanatic Magazine, the assistant managing editor of The Sports Network and the co-host of the highly rated 'Johns on Sports' radio show on WTBQ in New York. Every Saturday from 6:30-9 p.m. (et) you can hear John along with his co-host, John Gottlieb, talk to the ...
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