New season, new attitude

A welcomed change from last season, the Tigers are entering their 2010 schedule with more answers than questions looming over them.  Led by a second-year head coach in Gene Chizik, who managed to keep his entire staff intact from one season to the next, the Auburn football team is looking to follow up a winning 8-5 campaign with an even better record.

Bates to start at new position

Daren Bates came out of nowhere to start 13 games at free safety for Auburn last season. Saturday, he'll have a new job.

Bates was officially named Tuesday as a starting outside linebacker for the season-opener against Arkansas State on the first depth chart published by the school in eight months. Bates' move to linebacker was not a secret, and his starting assignment was expected.

Join the discussion in AUF's Forums...

Etheridge, Savage back as starters

Auburn released its depth chart Tuesday, and it was difficult to miss the two starting safeties.

Seniors Zac Etheridge and Aairon Savage will both be in the starting lineup this Saturday when the Tigers open the season against Arkansas State.

"You need two captains back there to direct traffic," Auburn coach Gene Chizik said.  "They bring a lot to the table.  The experience they bring to our defense is huge."

History says year two will be a success

We can finally say the words we've been longing to pronounce since January: It's game week! The second year for a new Auburn coach is typically a good one. Expectations are surprisingly high for Gene Chizik as he enters the 2010 season. History tells us that year two goes a long way in establishing the direction of a new program.

Join the discussion in AUF's Forums...

AU has window of opportunity

Expectations can be a coach's worst enemy or his greatest asset.

Auburn went 3-5 in SEC play last year -- worse than any season in the last decade except for Tommy Tuberville's first and last years on the Plains -- and yet fans were generally satisfied with head coach Gene Chizik's performance.

The expectations will grow in Year 2, but so will Auburn's opportunities.

The Tigers have a deep, talented senior class and a renewed source of depth from Chizik's first two signing classes. They also have a schedule that might be among the most favorable in the SEC (although it is far from easy by national standards).

Join the discussion in AUF's Forums...