The Matchup: Auburn vs. No. 14 Clemson

When: Saturday, September 1st

Where: Atlanta, Georgia – Georgia Dome

Game Time: 7:00 PM ET

TV: ESPN

What you need to know about Clemson: The Tigers return a 3,800 yard and 33 TD passer, a 1,178 yard back and two receivers who caught over 900 yards worth of passes. The good news is the Tigers’ best player in wide receiver Sammy Watkins is suspended for the first two games because of his off-season arrest. That’s a huge hole.

Quarterback Tajh Boyd is the catalyst for the offense, and he had a huge year last year as a first-year starter. Running back Andre Ellington is a proven stud, as he had 11 touchdowns last year. And don’t let Watkins’ absence get Auburn fans too hopeful, because CU’s second best receiver, DeAndre Hopkins, is very explosive as well.

However, Clemson returns only two starters along the offensive line, so they are very young and inexperienced at the position.

There is talent all over the field for Clemson at the skill positions, and Auburn cannot sleep on anyone.

Defensively, Clemson returns six starters, led by linebacker Stephone Anthony.

What you need to know about Auburn: Auburn returns 15 starters from last year’s very green team. The offensive and defensive coordinators are both new, and they look to gel with this team in game one. The strength of this Auburn team is along the defensive line, led by returners Corey Lemonier and Nosa Eguae.

The Tigers return three on the offensive line and nine of eleven on defense. The quarterback hasn’t been named yet, but we can assume that dual-threat Kiehl Frazier will get the nod, seeing he’s the most athletic quarterback on the team, and Clint Moseley has been limited due to inflammation in his throwing shoulder.

The defense was criticized last year for being way too soft. We saw that in game one when Utah State ran right through the teeth of the defense.

Auburn cannot afford to play as lackluster as last year’s opening game, or they will be run out of the Georgia Dome by a fast Clemson team.

What you need to watch: When any ACC team takes on the SEC, we head straight to the SEC’s defensive line. And this is a very good one, with Corey Lemonier, Nosa Eguae, Kenneth Carter, Jeffrey Whitaker and LaDarius Owens. They are fast and physical, and Lemonier looks to hoist himself in the upper echelon of ends in this league. As previously noted, Clemson is breaking in three new starters on the offensive line. I look for Auburn to really attack that line and Brian VanGorder to really preach physicality as a mentality.

Clemson is going in as the favorite, but don’t be surprised if Auburn finds a way to win a close football game.

With any defense, it all starts on the front line. How do you replace a Nick Fairley? There always seems to be someone waiting to step forward. The question in 2010 was who would replace Antonio Coleman, and Nick Fairley stepped up to answer the question in 2010. There’s plenty of talent on the defensive front, and there are a host of players waiting for the opportunity to lead the charge.

Like the offense, there are a lot of young players who will be counted on for the Auburn defense. You may see some true freshmen play, but my best guess is they will likely be only in backup roles. It’s likely the entire front four could be sophomores in 2011, with Nosa Eguae (DE), Corey Lemonier (DE), Jeffrey Whitaker (DT) and Kenneth Carter (DT) looking to be the best bets to start on the defensive line. Sophomore Craig Sanders or Junior Dee Ford could still be possible starters at defensive end before Fall practices are finished. This core of talented players got significant time last year as backups, and with their youth, could be a formidable force for the next few seasons.

To win consistently in this conference, you not only have to build for the upcoming season, but for future seasons, as well. On that note, look for Auburn to also groom some of the incoming freshmen for future roles on the line; players uch as Gabe Wright, Angelo Blackson and Jabrian Niles.

At linebacker, Auburn lost two great ones in Josh Bynes and Craig Stevens. Junior Daren Bates (SLB) is the lone returning starter at linebacker, but he has plenty of experience beside him in Junior Jonathan Evans (WLB), Sophomore Jake Holland(MLB) and Senior Eltoro Freeman (MLB). Even though there’s experience here, there’s always a learning curve when you go from backup to starter. How soon these players can consistently pick up on their assignments could go a long way in determining the strength of this defense.

Look for help also from Sophomore Harris Gaston, who saw limited playing time in 2010, and Redshirt Freshman Jawara White. If needed, there could possibly be some help from incoming freshmen Kris Frost, Chris Landrum and Justin Garrett. Though not as young as the defensive front wall, the linebacker position should also be a position of strength for seasons to come.

Many people considered defensive back to be Auburn’s Achilles Heel in 2010, and they did have a tendency to get burned on a lot of plays. For whatever reason, they were a unit of two halves. They would give up a lot of points early, and play near shutdown coverage for the rest of the game. It seems something finally clicked in the second half of the Alabama game. From that point on, their defense held South Carolina to 17 points in the SEC Championship game, and held the high scoring Oregon Ducks team to just 19 points in the BCS Championship game. Their two biggest games (Three if you count the Iron Bowl) were the ones where they stood up to the challenge the best.

One of the players in the secondary who really came on late in 2010 was Junior T’Sharvin Bell (CB). Although he was not a starter in 2010, he should be the rock of this defensive backfield in 2011. He made a lot of big plays in the latter games, possibly the most memorable being the sack that took Greg McElroy out late in the Iron Bowl.

Auburn’s lone returner at defensive back is Senior Neiko Thorpe (FS). Though he started at cornerback for Auburn in 2010, he will be used at his more natural position of safety in 2011.

Auburn’s lack of talent and depth at defensive back in 2010 should be a plus for them in 2011. Because of injuries to the unit, several young players got valuable playing time there. Sophomore Chris Davis (CB) and Demetruce McNeil (SS). Junior Ikeem Means could steal a starting spot at safety.

There is a ton of young talent in the defensive backfield and you could see any number of these players utilized there this season. Auburn’s weakness in the defensive backfield last season laid the groundwork for a much brighter future there in 2011.

Auburn will be young defensively in 2011, and they will probably make some mistakes and take their lumps, but you can see another championship-caliber team shaping up on both sides of the ball. One thing is for certain, Auburn won’t be an easy game for anyone this year, and the predictions of 5-6 wins are likely about as accurate as the predictions of five losses for the 2010 team .

On offense, some questions remain unanswered. No one seems to have secured a starting position on the offensive line. The quarterback spot is more of a question mark now than before Spring practice began. It was assumed that Barrett Trotter would assume the starting role, but he was pushed hard all Spring by a newly rejuvenated Clint Moseley. It’s unlikely a starter will be named until weeks into Fall practice, as Coach Chizik has indicated that Kiehl Frazier may be in the mix if he does the work necessary to compete this Fall.

Some questions on offense were answered. Auburn moved Anthony Morgan to running back, and along with 295 lb. Ladarious Phillips, incoming freshman Tre Mason, Philip Lutzenkirchen playing some H-Back, and Trovon Reed playing all offensive skill positions, Mike Dyer and Onterrio McCalebb should once again have exceptional seasons. Lutzenkirchen showed to have the hands to be the go-to receiver Darvin Adams was in 2010, and not to overstate his importance to the 2011 Auburn offense, but Trovon Reed may be the straw that stirs the drink this Fall. You can be sure he’ll see the ball a lot, either running it, catching it, playing wildcat or as a returner.

On defense, junior T’Sharvin Bell looks to be the vocal leader of the defense. His elevated play towards the end of last season is one of the reasons Auburn’s defense improved so much. Auburn’s defensive front will be just as talented as last year’s, and maybe more so, but they’ll be a lot younger. Don’t be surprised to see three sophomores and a junior anchoring the front of the Auburn defense. At this point, the favorites at the position would have to be sophomores Corey Lemonier, Jeffrey Whitaker, Nosa Eguae and junior Ken Carter.

At Linebacker, Auburn will still be young, but returns a lot more experience than on the defensive line. Last year’s starter Daren Bates returns at middle linebacker, and these players all got extensive playing time; Jonathan Evans, Eltoro Freeman, Jake Holland, Jessel Curry and Harris Gaston. My guess at this point is that Jake Holland and Eltoro Freeman will fill out the starting positions, but there still is Fall practice for other players to move up, or an incoming freshman such as Kris Frost to impress the coaches.

At defensive back, Auburn will be much more talented than last year’s squad, and less experienced, but have the potential to be much stronger. T’Sharvin Bell should be the leader at cornerback, and true freshman Jonathan Rose is the best bet to be the starting cornerback on the opposite side, replacing last year’s starting cornerback, Neiko Thorpe, who has been moved to his more natural position at safety. Demetrus McNeal will probably claim the other safety spot.

Auburn kick return team looks to be improved in 2011, with Onterrio McCalebb on one side of the field returning kickoffs, and probably Trovon Reed on the other. Both players are capable of taking it to the house every time they touch the football. Returning punt returner Quindarius Carr is assumed to be the punt returner again in 2011. Kody Parkey will replace Wes Byrum at PK, if that’s possible. Parkey was an Under Armour All-American in 2010, so he fits the description of the Auburn team in 2011, talented but inexperienced. Steven Clark, who spelled Ryan Shoemaker in a few games in 2010, will get the nod at punter.

What will 2011 bring to the Auburn Tigers? No one knows. There are far too many intangibles and unknowns to make any intelligent assessments. Will Auburn repeat as national champions? It’s doubtful. Will they fall apart and be one of the cellar dwellers in the West this fall. That’s also doubtful. I think the answer falls somewhere in between. At this point, it comes down to quarterback play, and there’s one intangible that hasn’t been mentioned. In Gus Malzahn’s six years as a college coach, he has had to train a new quarterback in all six seasons. Not once has one of his quarterbacks failed to put up big numbers.

Practice has started and the Tigers are already in full pads. With football season approaching, I thought you may like to read these comments from Chris Low of ESPN:

What’s new: Auburn was the only team in the SEC that didn’t have any turnover on its coaching staff. That doesn’t mean there won’t be a few changes. The Tigers plan to play Daren Bates some at outside linebacker after he led all SEC freshmen in tackles last season at safety. This will be his first look in his new spot. He was recovering from shoulder surgery and didn’t go through spring practice.

Sidelined: Offensive line signee Shon Coleman is battling leukemia and won’t be playing this season. Only one other player from the Tigers’ top-5 signing class didn’t make it to campus. Receiver Jeremy Richardson failed to qualify academically and will attend junior college.

Key battle: Junior college newcomers Brandon Mosley and Roszell Gaydon will resume their battle for the right tackle spot. Mosley had forged slightly ahead exiting the spring in what was a close race for the final starting spot on the Tigers’ offensive line.

New on the scene: True freshman running back Michael Dyer and true freshman receiver Trovon Reed shouldn’t have to wait long to get their hands on the ball. On defense, true freshman linebackers Jake Holland and LeDarius Owens provide depth at a position that was painfully thin a year ago. True freshman Jeffrey Whitaker is also a strong candidate to play early at defensive tackle.

Breaking out: Senior Mario Fannin is a player who has bounced around between different positions and been the consummate team guy. This is his time to step up and be the guy. Running backs coach Curtis Luper has already predicted that Fannin will be a 1,000-yard rusher as long as he stays healthy.

Don’t forget about: Aairon Savage is one of three senior safeties returning from injury, joining Zac Etheridge and Mike McNeil. Savage was granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA after missing all of last season with an Achilles injury and the entire 2008 season with a knee injury.

All eyes on: Junior quarterback Cameron Newton. He won the starting job in the spring and gives the Tigers an added dimension with his ability to both run and pass. The 6-6, 250-pound Newton also gets a second chance to show what he can do after having his career cut short at Florida following off-the-field trouble.

Quoting: “Last year, we started 5-0 and finished 3-5, and that’s not going to get us anywhere. We lost key games. Coach (Gene) Chizik has talked about it in the offseason, that finishing those games is how you move from good to great.” — Auburn linebacker Josh Bynes