Tommy Tuberville has embraced the role of underdog the past couple of years at Auburn.

And just as it appeared that the Tigers would start a season at the other end of the spectrum -- as favorites in the SEC West -- three offensive players jumped to the NFL early to make sure Auburn remained overshadowed by other teams in the powerhouse league.

Not that the Tigers will be able to sneak up on opponents.

Auburn stunned the SEC last season by claiming the Western Division title, and no matter who returns, the Tigers have opponents' attention.

"It's a different challenge, but I think our team understands that,'' Tuberville said.

"Whether we're up to it, I don't know. I think we're going to be a more talented team than we have been, but we don't have near the experience as we had last year and experience is what won for us. This year if we get there it's just going to be youth.''

Auburn lost six offensive and five defensive starters from last year's championship team. Among those were three early defections -- tailback Rudi Johnson, fullback Heath Evans and wide receiver Ronney Daniels.

Add in the graduation of seniors QB Ben Leard, OT Colin Sears, WR Reggie Worthy and H-back Clifton Robinson, and suddenly this Tigers offense brings back just 8 percent of its production from last season.

Senior Daniel Cobb, redshirt freshman Jason Campbell and junior Jeff Klein battled in the spring for the starting quarterback job, and head into the fall in that pecking order.

Cobb figures to start the season, but the future clearly is Campbell, a 6-6, 213-pound former Parade All-American.

"He's a very talented guy," offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone said. "The upside on him is great. It's a matter of him learning to run the offense and learning the communication part. He reminds me a little bit of a taller Dameyune Craig. ... He has a lot of tools.''

While Campbell could win the starting job sooner than later, Mazzone and Tuberville would prefer to bring him along slowly, designating certain series for him to get his feet wet while not absorbing the pressure of being the starter.

Still, Mazzone spent part of the offseason adding to his offense, installing some option and sprint-out packages to take advantage of Campbell's athleticism.

"It excites me, because you know they have confidence in you,'' said Campbell, who passed for 5,603 yards and 57 touchdowns in his final two seasons at Taylorsville (Miss.) High School. "I think they did a good job of preparing the offense this year to have more than just a run or a throw. We have a chance to do the option now and do a lot of other things to open the game up.''

Redshirt freshman Ronnie Brown and sophomore Casinious Moore should each see significant time at tailback, as should heralded freshman Carnell "Cadillac" Williams.

Junior Marcel Willis, who caught 27 passes last season, is expected to lead a young-but-talented receiving corps. Sophomore Deandre Green caught 23 passes last season and might be the most spectacular player in the group. He opted out of spring workouts for personal reasons, but was back in school during the summer.

Tight ends Lorenzo Diamond and Robert Johnson missed all of the spring practice, but the duo combined to catch 28 passes last season.

Auburn's offensive line should be among the league's best, anchored by left tackle Kendall Simmons.

The Tigers' chances for real success hinge on the defense, a unit that ranked as the SEC's best before Florida had its way with the Tigers in the SEC Championship Game.

Auburn's defensive line is its strength. Senior defensive end Javor Mills was dominant by season's end last year. That should help the rest of his mates on the line, including sophomore tackle DeMarco McNeil, who recorded 67 tackles and five sacks last season to emerge as one of the league's future stars.

Sophomore Dontarrious Thomas and junior Mark Brown had terrific springs to enter two-a-days as the starting inside linebackers. Converted free safety Roshard Gilyard was moved closer to the line of scrimmage as the whip.

Rashaud Walker is back for his second season as the starting rover. Junior Stanford Simmons held off a strong charge from redshirt freshman Donnay Young in the spring to win the free safety job.

Speedy Roderick Hood and converted wideout Travaris Robinson are the corners trying to take over for solid Larry Casher and Rodney Crayton.

All-SEC punter Damon Duval returns for his junior season after punting 65 times for a 43.2-yard per kick average. Duval will likely handle the field goal duties as well.

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