2004 Statistics

Quarterback
Replacing the SEC's most efficient passer is RS sophomore Brandon Cox. The southpaw's pinpoint accuracy earned him 2004 spring game MVP honors and then early-season playing time. Solid showings against non-conference cupcakes proved Cox has talent (180.0 rating), and he will run the offense under pressure after watching the big games from the sidelines. Based on his strong line and deep receiving core, Cox will make a smooth transition, assuming he doesn't try to match Campbell's Heisman-caliber season. The most accurate passer in Alabama prep history (69% career) must master the play-action and take the safe pass in this "Southern-fried West Coast" offense, knowing the Tigers don't have to dominate to win. Cox won't elude the rush like the now-gone Campbell, but he will protect the ball, meaning the offense's training wheels will assuredly be off by mid-season. If Cox goes down, expect panic: there is zero game experience behind him. Even though, strong-armed Calvin Booker has the raw talent to win the back-up job and push to start by mid-season. This bodes well, but (post) spring developments will tell more about this unit overall.

Running Back
Al Borges has been hailed for successfully balancing a two-back attack (Carnell Williams and Ronnie Brown) and similar rotations will again be needed. But this is only because there's no clear-cut feature back at this time. Sophomore Carl Stewart reminds Tiger faithful of Brown with his combination of size and elusiveness. In limited duty, Stewart showed potential as a multi-dimensional threat. Senior Tre Smith adds big game experience, dating back to his legendary Iron Bowl as a freshman. With a healed shoulder and no longer behind two all-Americans, expect the hard-working Smith to break out, especially in the red-zone, despite being a bit undersized. Speedy unknowns Kenny Irons and Brad Lester have big upsides and with impressive springs, either could emerge as a starter. (The veteran Irons holds an edge right now.) Proven FB Jake Slaughter will be relied on more often to open holes for whoever's back there.

Receiver
As deep and veteran a receiving corps as there is in the SEC, these four playmakers will keep the passing game clicking, regardless of Cox's inexperience. Junior Courtney Taylor went from consistent freshman to sophomore game-breaker, leading the Tigers in catches and yards. Taylor bulked up without sacrificing speed or leaping ability, making him a potent target (as he proved against LSU) who always holds on to the big catch (30 of his 38 recs. went for first down). A heralded trio of seniors (Ben Obomanu, Devin Aromashodu and Anthony Mix) combined for 13 TDs and are each capable of 20+recs, 500+yd seasons. Aromashodu is the burner (22.1ypc) who stretches any defense. Obomanu's seven TDs led the SEC while Mix's precise route-running and 6'5" frame make him a valuable target underneath. Someone will always be open in four-wide sets. Still, the group must maintain focus as Cox adjusts and their numbers dip slightly.

Offensive Line
The core of a great offensive line returns to continue its steady improvement. After allowing only 10 sacks through the first half of the season, the line dominated in the second half by allowing a mere four sacks while opening huge holes for the highest scoring and most-balanced attack in the South. Senior tackles Marcus McNeil and Troy Reddick form the line's strength, and along with LG Ben Grubbs, the three started every game during the Tigers' perfect '04 run. McNeil's up from 322 to 340lbs, and at 6'9", no opposing end can push around this all-America (2005 NC.net first-team). His dominance could move highly recruited sophomore Leon Hart to center, yet that job likely belongs to experienced fifth-year senior Steven Ross. The big surprise could be converted NG Tim Duckworth who has wowed coaches at guard. The line is huge and two-deep at every position.

Tight End
Cooper Wallace is a shoe-in for preseason all-SEC. The senior has the footwork and strength to block laterally, as well as the speed to drag LBs and safeties deep over the middle a few times a game for big gainers (15.9 yds per catch). As the Tigers run many sets and formations, this position's versatility looks complete.

OFFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
The offense won't lead the SEC in scoring again, but they won't be pushed around either. Borges is a savvy coordinator and will simplify the offense for Cox, who'll benefit from a huge pocket and playmakers at WR. Still, defenses won't have to load up against the run until that dimension is proven, so Cox's ability to make reads and check downs will determine the Tigers' (both initial and overall) success. The short passing game will take advantage of the lefty's accuracy and touch; however, his lack of arm-strength means fewer deep shots. Until a go-to back is established, which won't take long, field-position will be almost as precious as points for this rather conservative offense.

Defensive Line
As on offense, Auburn will win the lion's share of the trench battles. Sophomore ends Stanley McClover and Quentin Groves form a vicious pair, having both finished among the SEC's sack-leaders (7.5 sacks each) while receiving freshman all-America honors. McClover, a 2005 NC.net third-team all-American, changes momentum well (SEC leading four forced fumbles), while the speed of Groves and junior Marquies Gunn will force teams to bag seven-step drops again in favor of quick hitters and misdirection. In the red-zone, this group will be downright nasty, thanks to depth on the interior. Senior DT T.J. Jackson leads a group that averages almost 300lbs and plugs holes so well that only one RB in '04 found pay-dirt in the regular season. Wayne Dickens has limited starting experience but has played in every game since redshirting as a freshman, so expect him to bust-out as Jackson did. Despite how high the bar's been raised, there will be no letdown with this unit.

Linebacker
Tiger fans dreaded the departure of its all-world linebacking duo a year ago, only to find out that it was a much deeper group than expected. With all juniors and seniors leading the depth chart, this looks to be as good a group as any in the nation. Senior Travis Williams (NC.net second-team all-American) causes havoc in many ways, and his ferocious tackling (team high 80) sets the tone for an intimidating bunch. Travis, along with fellow-Williams Antarrious, disproved their reputations as speedy but undersized defenders by routinely taking on lineman and showing remarkable strength. Watch how junior SLB Kevin Sears will be pushed by Karibi Dede all season, and either is an excellent run-stopper, so this is good news. The dynamic of the unit is safety-like speed and cover skills, and, combined with hard-nosed hitting, this makes finding weaknesses almost impossible. And when top-recruit Tray Blackmon develops quickly, watch out.

Defensive Back
The only defensive unit that suffers major losses to graduation won't sound the alarm just yet. Junior FS Will Herring has started 24 straight and has developed into the "quarterback" of the secondary. Second on the team in tackles and INTs, Herring plays mistake-free and will relax the strain on sophomore SS Tony Bell as he continues to learn the position. A former linebacker, Bell is the hardest-hitting DB, and we predict his work-ethic wins him the job this spring. The biggest improvement will come from junior CB David Irons, who may be the fastest Tiger on the field. Montavius Pitts is a cause for greater concern after getting picked on repeatedly as teams avoided Thorpe-winner Carlos Rogers. That trying sophomore baptismal will only make him better (if he's a good DB, he'll have to have no long-term memory), but he's still not yet a shut-down corner. RS freshman FS Steve Gandy could be the biggest surprise on a thin but talented group that won't be exposed often thanks to a dominating seven up front. The deep ball early should be any opponent's goal.

DEFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
What can the nation's best scoring defense (at a preposterous 11.3ppg) do for an encore? Few people realized how dominant the '04 edition could be, so subdued expectations in '05 should reinvigorate that intensity level. The only major holes are in the secondary, so - fittingly - Coach Tuberville brought in ex-Denver Broncos' secondary coach David Gibbs as the new defensive coordinator. The Tigers have all the athletes to continue to blitz and attack opposing backfields; still, expect a few more blown coverages as the youngsters gel. The speed is there to play man-coverage, and with the experience at linebacker, Gibbs can implement more complex, NFL-type schemes. The defense remains the heart and soul and will win the Tigers more than a few close games.