1979 Auburn Tigers football team

1979 Auburn Tigers football
ConferenceSoutheastern Conference
Ranking
APNo. 16
Record8–3 (4–2 SEC)
Head coach
Offensive schemeVeer, I
Defensive coordinatorP. W. Underwood (4th season)
Home stadiumJordan-Hare Stadium
Seasons
← 1978
1980 →
1979 Southeastern Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
No. 1 Alabama $ 6 0 0 12 0 0
Georgia 5 1 0 6 5 0
No. 16 Auburn 4 2 0 8 3 0
LSU 4 2 0 7 5 0
Tennessee 3 3 0 7 5 0
Kentucky 3 3 0 5 6 0
Ole Miss 3 3 0 4 7 0
Mississippi State 2 4 0 3 8 0
Vanderbilt 0 6 0 1 10 0
Florida 0 6 0 0 10 1
  • $ – Conference champion
Rankings from AP Poll

The 1979 Auburn Tigers football team achieved an overall record of 8–3 under head coach Doug Barfield, which would be his best season as head coach. The Tigers went 4–2 in the SEC.[1] They finished the season ranked #16 in the AP poll, but were not ranked in the UPI due to probation.

Prior to the start of the season, on May 11, Auburn was placed on probation by the NCAA as a result of an investigation into violations dating back to 1974.

Five players were named to the All-SEC first team for 1979: running back James Brooks, running back Joe Cribbs, linebacker Freddy Smith, defensive tackle Frank Warren, and offensive tackle George Stephenson. Joe Cribbs was also named the SEC Most Valuable Player for that year.[2]

During the 1979 season, the offense used a combination of the veer and I formations and both Joe Cribbs and James Brooks gained over 1,000 yards rushing.[3]

  1. ^ 2011 Auburn Tigers Football Media Guide, Auburn University Athletic Department, Auburn, Alabama, pp. 182–4,150–151 (2011). Retrieved August 19, 2011
  2. ^ 2005 Auburn Tigers Football Media Guide, Auburn University Athletic Department, Auburn, Alabama, pp. 142–143, 178–180 (2005). Retrieved August 19, 2011
  3. ^ Auburn Tigers Have Veterans Returning "The Harlan (KY,) Daily Enterprise, August 27, 1980. Retrieved August 21, 2011"