College Football No. 23: Auburn Tigers

The One Great Season College Football Countdown continues Wednesday. We'll be counting down the preseason Top 25 teams in 2010. Today's No. 23 is Auburn.

By JOHN P. WISE
One Great Season

Remember when Gene Chizik's Tigers were the cute storyline a month into last season?

Another 5-0 start is possible this year, but just like in 2009, the second half of the season brings a load of heavyweight SEC bouts. Auburn loses its quarterback and running back as well as its top pass rusher from last season, but the cupboard is hardly bare heading into 2010.

Until their season-ender at in-state rival Alabama, the Tigers play eight of their first 11 games at home, getting all their toughest league foes at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Auburn won't challenge for the SEC West, but after the Tide, it will be an exciting race between Arkansas, LSU and the Tigers.

Who's back? Wide reciever Darvin Adams, linebackers Josh Bynes and Craig Stevens

Who's gone? Quaterback Chris Todd, running back Ben Tate, defensive end Antonio Coleman

Why they'll win: New quarterback Cam Newton's transition should be seamless behind an experienced offensive line and a dual-threat in running back Mario Fannin, who caught 42 passes last year.

Why they'll lose: Auburn has plenty of steady starters, but its two-deep could get tricky at many positions if the Tigers have injury problems.

Get your tickets: vs. Clemson (Sept. 18), vs. LSU (Oct. 23), at Alabama (Nov. 26)

Prediction: 8-4 (5-3, third place SEC West)