2008 OUTLOOK: The Tigers have two new coordinators, a new quarterback and some big holes to fill on defense but the foundation is solid for a program that has won at least nine games in each of the past four seasons. If the quarterbacks and receivers come through and the young defensive players grow up, the Tigers will have a chance to win the West.

SCOUTING THE OFFENSE
The Tigers return four starters up front and all four tailbacks, allowing them to move versatile Mario Fannin to slot receiver and use him in multiple roles. The real key will be the progress of QBs Kodi Burns and Chris Todd and the receivers. If the Tigers can pass effectively in their new spread, no-huddle offense, their running game will be even more productive.

SCOUTING THE DEFENSE
The Tigers lose four NFL draft picks from their offense but they also return talent across the board with players such as DT Sen'Derrick Marks, DE Antonio Coleman, MLB Tray Blackmon and DBs Jerraud Powers and Aairon Savage. They will be the progress of several young players who saw significant playing time last season due to injuries to starters. Savage could play either free safety or corner, depending on which incoming freshmen pan out in the preseason.

SCOUTING THE SPECIAL TEAMS
Auburn threw two freshmen into the fire last season and K Wes Byrum and P Ryan Shoemaker handled it, especially Byrum. The Tigers have plenty of potential for big plays in the return game with Tristan Davis and Robert Dunn.

ROSTER REPORT

--Auburn had high hopes for JUCO transfer Chris Todd but a sore throwing shoulder kept him from meeting those expectations in the spring. Todd started his career at Texas Tech, where he ran a similar offense to what Auburn will be running under new offensive coordinator Tony Franklin, and spent last season at Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College. Even with his throwing problems, Todd showed an obvious grasp of the offense and Franklin said the Tigers could go with a two-quarterback system in the fall.

--Mario Fannin missed most of the spring after undergoing surgery to correct a nagging shoulder problem but is expected to be ready to go in August.

--It came too late for spring practice but the NCAA granted senior DT Tez Doolittle a sixth year of eligibility. Doolittle missed the entire 2007 season after suffering a torn Achilles tendon in the preseason.

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