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| | Friday, September 1 Running from the past, Tigers air it out | |||||
| By Pat Forde Special to ESPN.com Auburn Tigers 1999 record: 5-6 (2-6 SEC) Coach: Tommy Tuberville Returning starters: 13 (9 offense 4 defense) Outlook What in the name of Pat Dye is happening on The Plains? The Tigers finished 112th in the nation in rushing offense last year (a pansy 68 yards per game), and their leading rusher gained a puny 330 yards. Meanwhile, quarterback Ben Leard and freshman wide receiver Ronney Daniels were setting school pitch-and-catch records left and right. This is the continuing culture shock at the school that still fondly remembers the days when Auburn football meant defense, the kicking game and loads of handoffs to guys like James Brooks, Joe Cribbs, Bo Jackson, Brent Fullwood and Stephen Davis. One reason they fondly remember it is because Dye is still around town reminding them, harrumphing about all the passing going on in his formerly hidebound league. The running game died at Auburn under Terry Bowden, and Tuberville hasn't been able to revive it yet. But he cobbled together enough positives last year to produce five wins in a season that held little promise at the outset. The primary boost came from Leard and Daniels. Leard took over the job for good and tied an SEC record for completion percentage (70.7). Along the way he threw just one interception and had a streak of 156 straight passes without being picked off. Daniels scored nine touchdowns and averaged a huge 19.1 yards per catch. They may have to improve on those numbers this year to outscore the other guys, at least early. Auburn's entire defensive front is new. The good news is that the schedule includes the usual non-conference tripe: Wyoming, Northern Illinois and Louisiana Tech. Keep an eye on ... Fan reaction if Auburn has its third straight losing season for the first time since 1948-50. Tuberville's status is solid, but an extended Auburn swoon coupled with an Alabama title run could cause serious depression for the blue and orange faithful. It's a good season if ... The Tigers climb back into contention in the West and earn a bowl bid. It's a great season if they spoil Alabama's year. | ||||||