Once again, Tigers have to live with "target" on their backs
By Staff
Justin Schuver, Hartselle Enquirer
Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville opened his interview at SEC's Media Days Friday making a lighthearted comment about the Tigers' selection to win the SEC in a preseason media poll.
"Appreciate the target you put on my back," he said. "The last time you did that, you almost got me fired."
In 2003, the last time Auburn was selected to win the conference in the media poll, the Tigers opened the season 0-2 with losses to USC and Georgia Tech, then limped to finish 8-5. The aftermath of that mediocre season set off the surreal soap opera where Auburn officials tried to woo Louisville's Bobby Petrino behind Tuberville's back.
And now, three years later, the Tigers are once again picked to be the class of the SEC.
Tuberville understands the dangers of a team getting caught up in preseason hype, and wants to avoid having another disastrous start like the Tigers had in 2003 or like last season when Auburn lost its opening game to a Georgia Tech team that would finish the year 7-5.
"My objective going into two-a-days is to come out of the blocks," he said. "The past few years we've kind of stumbled early. With a quarterback coming back that understands our offense, I think we've got a better chance to play better."
That quarterback is junior Brandon Cox, who had a disastrous beginning to the 2005 season, throwing four interceptions in Auburn's opening loss to Georgia Tech. But Cox bounced back, throwing just four more picks during the 2005 season, and finishing the year with 2,324 yards passing and 15 touchdowns.
Also returning is senior running back Kenny Irons, who is considered a darkhorse Heisman candidate by some preseason publications. Irons, who transferred from South Carolina, ran for an SEC-high 1,293 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2005.
"(Kenny) runs high but can break tackles," Tuberville said. "But when he breaks the line of scrimmage, you seldom see anybody catch him. He knows he's got the capabilities of being one of the better players in the country in college football this year."
The dry spot offensively is at wide receiver, where Auburn loses a talented trio in Devin Aromashodu, Ben Obamanu and Anthony Mix. The one returner is Courtney Taylor, who exploded onto the scene as a sophomore but battled injuries during his junior season last year. Now healthy, Taylor will be a pivotal part of the Tigers' passing game.
The offensive line loses a few key parts in Marcus McNeill and Troy Reddick, and the defense has numerous holes to fill as well. Marques Gunn is the only returning starter on the defensive line and Will Herring has moved from the secondary to the linebacker position.
Yet perhaps the biggest question mark on defense is what new defensive coordinator Will Muschamp will bring. Muschamp replaces David Gibbs, who left Auburn for the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs. The 2005 Tigers had a solid, though not spectacular, defense and it will be interesting to see how different the defense will look in 2006 under Muschamp.
"We're going to run my philosophy on defense; I'm a defensive guy," Tuberville said. "Muschamp understands it, and so did David Gibbs. I let them use their imaginations and want them to set their game plans. I like what Will brings to us, a little bit different idea maybe running some three-man front, more zone blitzes, giving some teams problems."
Tuberville also addressed the recent investigations involving Auburn's sociology department and allegations of academic misconduct.
"It's an academic issue," he said. "Our president obviously gave me strict orders, let's complete the investigation before we make any rash judgments. If we're doing something wrong, please look at us and tell us. I promise you, we'll change it."
Auburn 2006 schedule
Sept. 2 vs. Washington State
Sept. 9 at Mississippi State
Sept. 16 vs. LSU
Sept. 23 vs. Buffalo
Sept. 28 at South Carolina
Oct. 7 vs. Arkansas
Oct. 14 vs. Florida
Oct. 21 vs. Tulane
Oct. 28 at Ole Miss
Nov. 4 vs. Arkansas State
Nov. 11 vs. Georgia
Nov. 18 at Alabama
