Tigers at a glance

2001 schedule Sept. 1 vs. Ball St. Sept. 8 vs. Mississippi Sept. 15 at LSU Sept. 22 at Syracuse Sept. 29 at Vanderbilt Oct. 6 vs. Mississippi St. Oct. 13 vs. Florida Oct. 20 vs. Louisiana Tech Oct. 27 at Arkansas Nov. 10 at Georgia Nov. 17 vs. Alabama 2000 results (9-4, 6-3 SEC) Wyoming W 35-21 at Mississippi W 35-27 LSU W 34-17 Northern Illinois W 31-14 Vanderbilt W 33-0 at Mississippi St. L 17-10 at Florida L 38-7 Louisiana Tech W 38-28 Arkansas W 21-19 Georgia W 29-26 at Alabama W 9-0 at Florida L 28-6 vs. Michigan L 31-28

The challenge now for Tuberville is maintaining consistency from year to year. Considering the graduation losses on both sides of the ball, winning back-to-back SEC West titles will be an uphill battle. In fact, just competing for the top half of the SEC West and a winning season would be an accomplishment considering all the question marks.

OFFENSE
The offense was hit hardest -- by graduation and by RB Rudi Johnson's decision to leave for the NFL after his junior campaign, which was his first with the Tigers after coming over from the juco ranks. The offense lost another underclassman in wideout Ronney Daniels, who was signed by the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent. Tuberville also has to replace QB Ben Leard and versatile FB Heath Evans, the first fullback chosen on draft day (by the Seattle Seahawks in round three).

Currently on top of the depth chart at those positions are senior QB Daniel Cobb, redshirt freshman tailback Ronnie Brown and sophomore FB Brandon Johnson. Cobb began his college career at Georgia before starring at Butler County Junior College. At WR, the Tigers should be in good shape, with the return of an all-around performer like senior Tim Carter and experienced junior Marcel Willis. Carter hauled in 21 receptions last season while averaging 24.3 yards on 19 kickoff returns. Willis finished with 27 receptions for a 13-yard average and one TD. Also contributing will be sophomore Deandre Green. The 6-2, 210-pounder had 23 receptions last season.

The key performers in the Tigers' passing attack figure to be TEs Robert Johnson and Lorenzo Diamond. They combine to form an exceptional tandem. Johnson, a physically gifted 6-5½, 270-pound sophomore, had three TD receptions last season and averaged 14.0 yards per catch. He's a star in the making. Diamond, a junior who checks in at 6-3 and 248 pounds, contributed with 16 catches for a 10.8-yard average and one TD last season.

Since Cobb lacks experience in the SEC, Tuberville will hope the running game can produce up to the level of last season, when Rudi Johnson gained nearly 1,700 yards and scored 13 TDs. While Brown -- a 6-1, 228-pound redshirt freshman who enjoyed an excellent prep career in Georgia -- is currently penciled in as the starting tailback, all eyes during fall practice will be on highly regarded freshman Carnell Williams. The 5-11, 188-pounder will be counted on to produce right away with the Tigers. Johnson, the new FB at 6-0 and 233 pounds, is viewed as a solid lead blocker, but not necessarily the threat carrying the football that Evans was.

With the Tigers breaking in new starters at QB, RB, FB and WR, Tuberville has to feel extremely fortunate to have such a cohesive, veteran offensive line returning to action. Senior LT Kendall Simmons, senior LG Hart McGarry and senior RG Mike Pucillo started all 13 games for the Tigers last season. Anchor Ben Nowland, a 6-2, 305-pound junior, started 10 games and ranks as one of the more effective pivot men in the country. The only new starter up front will be 6-5½, 298-pound sophomore RT Mark Pera.

DEFENSE
While the defense has fewer question marks, the Tigers have to replace their leading tackler of the past two seasons, MLB Alex Lincoln, rover/OLB Rob Pate and CBs Rodney Crayton and Larry Casher. But a solid nucleus returns to what should be a strong defensive unit overall.

All four starters up front -- LDE Javor Mills, LDT DeMarco McNeil, RDT Spencer Johnson and RDE James Callier -- have the ability to put heat on opposing QBs. McNeil, just a sophomore, is a difference-maker who can wreak havoc. Last year the 6-1, 300-pounder recorded 13 stops behind the line, five sacks, seven hurries and four pass deflections. McNeil was the Tigers' second-leading tackler with 67 stops. This gives you an idea of just how active he is every game. Johnson had three sacks and 10 QB hurries. While Mills (16 hurries) opens at LDE, physically talented senior Alton Moore will likely work into the rotation.

At OLB, the Tigers have a rising star in sophomore Dontarrious Thomas, the team's third-leading tackler last season. Junior Mark Brown (34 tackles) moves into the MLB spot, replacing Lincoln. Roshard Gilyard, who started seven games at FS last season, will operate as a rover/OLB-type this season along with junior Rashaud Walker.

The other key graduation losses were veteran CBs Crayton and Casher, who combined for six interceptions and 26 pass breakups last year. The new starters will be juniors Roderick Hood (fifth-leading tackler last season) and Travaris Robinson, both of whom have SEC experience. Talented sophomore FS Stanford Simmons picked off two passes last year while breaking up six others.

SPECIAL TEAMS
With blue-chip junior Damon Duval getting the job done as both the punter and kicker, Auburn's special teams should be a strength. Last year, Duval connected on 14-of-18 field goals, including a perfect 6-of-6 from 40-49 yards. He also averaged 43.2 yards per punt, with his longest covering 71 yards.

Overview: With LSU and Mississippi State getting all the preseason attention in the SEC West, Tuberville and the Tigers go into the 2001 campaign without any lofty expectations. In fact, since this could be considered a rebuilding year, the Tigers figure to be overlooked completely in terms of preseason predictions in the division. To prove the doubters wrong, Tuberville will have to hope that Cobb (or whoever emerges at QB) can do an adequate job. He also has to hope that freshman Williams and redshirt freshman Brown are the answer at tailback. One thing is sure, the Tigers have some talent at WR, feature an exceptional TE tandem and have a veteran offensive line returning. If the new QB and tailback hold up their end of the bargain, the Tigers' offense has a chance to surprise. But that's a big "if."

Defensively, the front four, led by McNeil at DT, has a chance to be extremely disruptive. Thomas is a top young LB, while Brown must adequately make up for the graduation loss of Lincoln at MLB. The key in the secondary will be new CBs, Hood and Robinson. Both have game experience and should benefit from a steady pass rush by the defensive line. Duval keys the special teams, and Carter excels as a kickoff returner. While the Tigers may be considered a long shot to win the SEC West or even finish in the top half of the division, having a creative game-day coach like Tuberville is a major plus. He's never afraid to take chances or do the unexpected in any game.