Irons entered the season as the backup running back after criticism that he could not pick up blocks well enough to function as a complete running back in Al Borges's complex offensive scheme. Garnering only one carry for six yards, Irons' opening game as a Tiger was a disappointment. The following week, still as the backup, he had 13 carries against a very tough Mississippi State defense and rushed for only 28 yards. In the next two weeks against non-conference foes Ball State and Western Kentucky, Irons rushed for 258 yards on 29 carries and seemed to be finding his stride. He made his third straight start the following week against his former team, South Carolina.