FanHouse BenTate

What a year it has been for freshman running back Ben Tate. What had expected to be a red-shirt season, blossomed into something much more. Now with a game to go in his rookie campaign, Tate has a chance to take things to the next level.

The Maryland high school career rushing leader is on the verge of moving to second-string behind Kenny Irons for Monday's Cotton Bowl against Nebraska. With Brad Lester suspended for the game and Irons still banged up, it looks as if Tate will get the call early against the Cornhuskers.

Senior Tre Smith has been working as the number two back all month, but things have started to shift in practice over the last two weeks. Running backs coach Eddie Gran is now thinking about moving Tate up on the chart.

Everybody I talk with this week is concerned about Ole Miss. If I've heard it once, I've heard it 10 times today, "I just don't feel good about this weekend." Can you blame them? Auburn has had a knack of playing down to their opponents this year even when the scoreboard didn't reflect it.

Maybe I'm flat wrong, but I feel great about tomorrow's match-up with Ole Miss. For starters, Auburn's defense has something to prove. Despite only giving up 13 points against Tulane, they were pushed all over the field - to the tune of 389 yards of offense by the Green Wave.

Defensive coordinator Will Muschamp is starting to feel some heat in the chat rooms and in the newspapers. Is that crazy or what? True, he needs to improve in some areas, but overall this defense is a good group. Because of the criticism, look for Auburn to shut down the Rebel offense. And let's face it, it shouldn't be hard. The Ole Miss offense ranks 112th out of 119 NCAA Division I-A teams in total offense.

Auburn's 2006 edition is hard to get a handle on. How good is this team? That's a question that has puzzled pundits and fans alike all season. If you were hoping to get some clarity Saturday, well you're out of luck. The Tigers win over Tulane was both solid and filled with holes.

Auburn's defense continued its roller-coaster ride against the Green Wave, giving up 389 yards of offense. That's total tops what they gave up against LSU, Arkansas and Florida. Call it a letdown, but championship teams don't give up that many yards to two-win teams. How can a defense look so good against LSU and Florida and then lay an egg on homecoming?

Unfortunately, sooner or later this unbalanced play will catch up with them. If Auburn really is a national championship contender, then how do they compare to the great Tiger teams of the past? Tommy Tuberville says it and most coaches preach it; to be a champion you have to get better every week. Compared to the 2004 squad, well, there is no comparison. The Tigers defense doesn't get better every week. It plays when it needs to - and sometimes it doesn't.

Don't get me wrong. There were some positives against Tulane. Forcing three turnovers and only allowing 13 points against a decent offense is to be commended. But Auburn allowed them to move the ball much too freely between the red zones.

Auburn quietly moved most of its freshman class to the scout team this past week. As expected, highly regarded signees Neil Caudle, Lee Tilley, Michael Goggans, Terrell Zachery and Steven Ensminger all make the move over to the dark side. More than likely, they'll stay there this year barring any injuries to the Tiger starters. Coach Tommy Tuberville would love to give redshirts to each of these players.

However, it's a different story for four newcomers. Tim Hawthorne, Ben Tate, Mike Berry and Mario Fanning all have a shot at some playing time this year. Perhaps the most impressive in Fall camp has been Berry who plays on the offensive line. Offensive coordinator Al Borges has been raving about him. From all indications, Berry has a chance to be a future All-American. Borges says the 6-3 300 pound + lineman from Brentwood, Tennessee, is the most talented lineman signee Auburn has had in several years. Don't be surprised to see him get some quality playing time later in the year.

Borges also continue to be pleased with Hawthorne at the wide receiver position. Borges says that Hawthorne has come to the Plains as advertised and has impressed everyone at practice. The problem for him however, is a bevy of a competition at the wide receiver position. With Courtney Taylor, Lee Guess, Rod Smith, Prechae Rodriquez and Robert Dunn all ahead of Hawthorne as the season starts, his playing time could limited early in the year. But he's just an injury away from being on the field. As he gets more comfortable and learns the play book better look for Hawthorne to get on the field. He has way too much talent to not play.

The story is the same for running back Ben Tate. The 5'11 215 pound Maryland prep school legend is vying for playing time behind a host of seasoned runners. Tate's best chance this year might be on special teams. Of the four that didn't move to the scout team, he has the best chance of still getting a redshirt this season.

For Fannin this has been a year of change. While lining up at running back for most of the preseason, he was moved to wide receiver on Tuesday. And last year while playing prep ball in Lovejoy, Georgia, Fannin was the team's quarterback. It's being speculated that he'll be moved to the scout team once he gets some practice time at receiver.