AU PLayers get talk on the Hype

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June 4, 2006

CHARLES HOLLIS

News staff writer

The Birmingham News

Nothing like a lot of Auburn hype entering the 2006 college football season to better remind Tommy Tuberville he better nip it in the bud.

Auburn fans thinking about the holy grail is one thing, but the Tigers' head football coach says he doesn't want his players getting caught up "in all those media projections."

So Tuberville reminded them in a team meeting last month "to be proud of where you're ranked, be proud of what people are saying about you, but just remember all that talk is just projections."

The talk is how Auburn can win the Southeastern Conference, and maybe even play for a national title.

In The Birmingham News' 60th annual spring SEC Football Preview, Auburn and LSU tied as the pick of Western Division sports information directors to win the division. It's the first tie since the league split into two divisions in 1992.

The Eastern Division SIDs voted Florida as that division's champion.

In the overall poll of all SIDs, they rated LSU and Florida as the top teams - the teams most likely to play in the SEC Championship Game in Atlanta on Dec. 2. An SID could not vote for his school.

In the West poll, Auburn and LSU each received three first-place votes and two seconds for a total of 23 points to beat out third-place Alabama, which had 16 points.

In the East poll, Florida topped the pack with five first-place votes and 25 points. Georgia was second with one first-place vote and four seconds and 21 points. Tennessee finished third with 17.

Following LSU and Florida in the league's overall poll was Auburn, Georgia and Alabama. LSU edged the Gators by one point, 109 to 108. Auburn was close behind with 106 points.

"We've got some talent on this team," said Tuberville. "But I've had talent before and we didn't play as well as we'd hoped."

In 2003, his Tigers began the year with the greatest of expectations - preseason SEC favorite and a No. 1 national ranking in The Sporting News. That team finished 8-5 with a trip to the Music City Bowl.

Last season the Tigers finished 9-3, including 7-1 in the SEC. They were on their way to a remarkable finish - after losing quarterback Jason Campbell and runners Carnell Williams and Ronnie Brown in the NFL's first round - until Wisconsin stunned Auburn 24-10 in the Capital One Bowl.

"We didn't have the greatest team last year, but at times we played pretty good," said Tuberville. "We have a similar team this time, but with probably more question marks on defense than we've had in a while."

With quarterback Brandon Cox, running back Kenny Irons and a healthy Courtney Taylor at receiver, the Tigers could produce one of the league's top offenses. "The biggest concern I have is replacing Marcus McNeill and Troy Reddick at tackle," said Tuberville.

On defense, just one starter returns on the line, end Marquies Gunn, and senior Will Herring, a preseason All-SEC safety, has moved to linebacker, though he might eventually move back. Gunn and All-SEC cornerback David Irons anchor a young defense.

"It's a little bit scary," said Tuberville. "But we've got some good talent. I think we have a chance to have a pretty good defense."

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