AUburn has been promoting this spring with #AUNewDay. The first official new day -- the first A-Day under new Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn -- is set for Saturday. The Auburn Spring Game, the centerpiece of an entire weekend of festivities, is scheduled to kick off at 2:05 p.m. ET. The gates at Jordan-Hare Stadium open at noon. Tickets are $5, with current Auburn students admitted for free. Players will sign autographs after the game.
Auburn’s 2013 A-Day spring game: How to watch or attend
The Gus Malzahn Show returns to the plains. Here’s how to see it.
USA TODAY Sports
For those who cannot attend, the game will be broadcast on CSS. Coverage begins at 2 p.m. ET.
A-Day festivities begin at the crack of dawn, with parking lots opening at 7 a.m. ET. A Fan Fest and Punt, Pass, and Kick competition begins at 10 a.m. ET at the team’s practice fields. Day two of the War Eagle Invitational track meet starts at noon ET, and the Tigers’ softball team plays USC at 6 p.m. ET. A sentimental final rolling of the trees at Toomer’s Corner is also scheduled for 6 p.m ET, lasting about as long as fans wish for it to. A full schedule of events is available on Auburn’s official web site.
Malzahn brings back the offensive system that won Auburn the 2010 BCS National Championship. The search remains for another Cam Newton, however. The ostensible returning starter, Kiehl Frazier, struggled mightily through 2012. Nevertheless, as College and Magnolia suggests, he might have a leg up on his competition:
This may sound crazy, but Frazier is likely the leader right now. Yes, he was awful last season, and yes, he seems to always be one mistake away from losing all confidence in himself and shutting down. But, Frazier was totally uncomfortable in Scot Loeffler’s offense, and with Malzahn back on the Plains, he has a chance to run the attack he’s been groomed to lead his entire football life. Don’t forget: Frazier was a five-star recruit when he signed with Auburn out of high school. He certainly has the talent to be a star, and in Malzahn’s offense, he will likely be much more comfortable and confident in his decision-making. Frazier stuck around after last season’s nightmare for a reason, and it would be foolish to write him off.
Defensively, new coordinator Ellis Johnson installs his 4-2-5 “Star” system, featuring a hybrid safety-linebacker strong in run support but capable in coverage. Justin Garrett seems destined for the “star” position, if Johnson’s missives to the press are to be believed, but questions remain in the Auburn linebacker corps and defensive backfield. There’s also a question of Johnson himself; the enigmatic coach toyed with a three-man front in spring practice, and is notorious for his versatility. Expect plenty of wrinkles from the Tigers’ defense in response to Malzahn’s bag of tricks.
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