T-Row's Top 25...No. 18 Auburn

Originally Published: Aug 11, 2010 9:49 PM CDT

Each morning on my radio show for the next five weeks Ill be counting down my preseason college football Top 25 with some pertinent info about each team. It is without a doubt the most insignificant and unreliable preseason Top 25 youll find anywhere.

The 3rd SEC team on our countdown so far, Auburns offensive improvement was a major story in 2009. Under Offensive Coordinator Guz Malzahn, the Tigers put up huge numbers and scored quickly. They had 29 scoring drives in less than two minutes. And that production could be even more enhanced this season with the arrival of junior college star Cameron Newton who is expected to take over at quarterback. His athleticism is off the charts.

Newtons favorite targets will be receivers Darvin Adams and Terrell Zachery. And hell have a fantastic offensive line to work behind led by four senior starters.

Defensively, Auburn will just be okay. They gave up an abnormal number of points last season, and may struggle to do better this year. Craig Stevens and Josh Bynes are good linebackers. But star-power is hard to find on that side of the ball.

Bottom line: Auburn will be good, but not good enough to contend for the SEC Title. They get bit early at Mississippi State, then lose late at Ole Miss and at Alabama.

Prediction: 9-3