Auburn’s football program is ready to move on from last season. The Tigers are riding a two-game losing streak after suffering losses to Georgia and UCF in the postseason, and that means the Week 1 game against the Playoff-hopeful Washington Huskies can’t get here fast enough.

According to college football analyst Phil Steele, the team only returns 13 starters (6 offense, 7 defense). That ties them at No. 66 in the nation and ranks them No. 9 in the SEC.

A lot of that turnover is the result of several players leaving early for the NFL Draft. Included in that group was guys like Kerryon Johnson, Kamryn Pettway, Jeff Holland and Carlton Davis. Playmakers, to be sure.

It’s a new year, however. Auburn is expected to have one of the toughest schedules in the SEC, so finding adequate replacements in the starting lineup is a must.

Here are 5 position battles to monitor as Sept. 1 approaches.

RB: Kam Martin vs. JaTarvious Whitlow

Skinny: One of Auburn’s biggest obstacles is going to be replacing Johnson. The Detroit Lions’ second-round draft pick put up eye-popping numbers (1,585 yards, 20 total touchdowns) during his third season on The Plains, which helped land him SEC Player of the Year honors.

So, who is capable of taking on that workhorse role? The answer, as of right now, is no one.

The two front-runners for carries are Kam Martin and JaTarvious Whitlow, but Auburn will have to rely on a committee approach if it wants to replace all the different aspects that Johnson brought to the offense. That means players such as Malik Miller and Asa Martin are going to be involved as well.

Who wins? Committee.

RT: Jack Driscoll vs. Austin Troxell

Skinny: The starting job at right tackle seemed like it was going to come down to two redshirt freshmen, Calvin Ashley and Austin Troxwell. Both saw time with the first-team offense during the spring, but the arrival of UMass grad transfer Jack Driscoll means the competition added another strong contender.

Driscoll brings versatility to the offensive line. He started 12 games at right tackle for UMass in 2017, but the 6-5, 300-pounder has also seen action at left tackle and left guard.

Those two spots are accounted for, however, which means that Driscoll likely will stay on the right side.

Ashley has the most pedigree. According to the 247Sports composite rankings, he was a 5-star prospect coming out of high school. But Ashley has been getting reps at right guard recently with Mike Horton kicking inside to center.

That opens the door for Driscoll to win the starting job at right tackle.

Who wins? Driscoll.

CB: Noah Igbinoghene vs. Javaris Davis

Skinny: The thing about this competition is that both could end start. If Igbinoghene wins the cornerback spot opposite Jamel Dean, Davis will likely be the starting nickel corner.

That makes things interesting as Auburn attempts to replace Carlton Davis, who was a second-round pick to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2018 NFL Draft. Neither Igbinoghene (5-11, 196) nor Javaris Davis (5-10, 187) bring the same size as Carlton Davis (6-1, 206), but both are capable of playing inside or out.

Igbinoghene should be consider the favorite to win the job, however. He made the move from wide receiver in the spring, and he has excelled since.

Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

Who wins? Igbinoghene.

C: Mike Horton vs. Kaleb Kim

Skinny: It has already been mentioned that Horton has been getting reps at center. Before that development, the starting job was expected to come down to one of two players: Kaleb Kim or Nick Brahms.

Brahms is still recovering from a broken leg that he suffered back in the spring. That injury will hinder his chances of earning the starting job, which means this competition could be between Horton and Kim.

Horton has the size (6-4, 324) and base to anchor well at center if needed. He did start seven games last season at left guard, but this the type of move that could end up sticking.

That’s going to depend on the status of Ashley, however. The redshirt freshman suffered a neck injury on Thursday that resulted in a trip to the hospital. If it’s serious, Horton will more than likely slide back to right guard and Kim will be the presumed favorite to start at center.

If Ashley is able to return, the winner is anyone’s guess.

Who wins? Kim.

Backup QB: Malik Willis vs. Joey Gatewood

Skinny: Jarrett Stidham is locked into the starting quarterback role for the second consecutive season. That isn’t up for debate.

The backup, however, is still up in the air.

There are a lot of people who may question the importance of the No. 2 quarterback. Let’s not forget that the second half of the national championship game included two quarterbacks (Georgia’s Jake Fromm and Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa) who didn’t enter last season as their team’s respective starter.

The favorite is sophomore Malik Willis, who was Stidham’s backup last season. He’s taken the majority of the reps with the second-team offense, but don’t forget about the freshman phenom Joey Gatewood.

The 4-star prospect is extremely raw at this point in his career. But due to his size (6-5, 237) and athleticism, he has drawn comparisons to former Auburn great Cam Newton.

While it should be considered an honor to be compared to the former No. 1 overall pick, Gatewood is simply not ready.

Who wins? Willis.