FanHouse Tray Blackmon

Playing 12 straight games without an off week can break anybody. For Auburn, it looks like eight games is about the limit. The Tiger football team is as banged up as any in the SEC. I can't remember an Auburn team that was in this bad a shape at this point in the season. That's what happens when you play Washington State, LSU, South Carolina, Arkansas and Florida in the first half of the season.

On Monday, the Auburn coaching staff started taking stock of what is left of their team. Back-up center Jason Bosley is expected to miss this weekend at a minimum. He replaced Joe Cope who may be lost for the season with an ankle injury.

Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville doesn't seem optimistic about Bosley. "He's hobbling around pretty good, so it doesn't look too good for him," said Tuberville. "He's walking around, but walking around isn't playing."

That has created an entire reshuffling on the offensive line. It looks like tackle Jonathan Palmer will again move over to the center position in place of Bosley. Tim Duckworth is expected to start at the right guard position after missing last week. That means either Leon Hart or Antwoin Daniels will start for Palmer at tackle. Got it? I'm not sure I do.

The story of the week on the Auburn defensive side of the ball has been the return of linebacker Tray Blackmon. The Parade All-American and top prep linebacker in the country was suspended over the summer because of an alcohol related incident. The suspension was viewed by many as over the top and too much time for the crime.

My guess is the extra games (six total) was a result of not just the incident but the fact that the coaches had to read about it in the paper. Ouch! Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville has cleared Blackmon to play this week against Florida.

With that all behind him now the question is, what does Blackmon bring to the linebacking corp? Prior to being benched, he had earned the starting job at weak-side linebacker. It's a position that is now being fought over with Merrill Johnson. His return has caused Karibi Dede to move back to middle linebacker, a position that was held by Johnson through the first six games.

Tuberville has clearly stated that Blackmon will see playing time Saturday night. But what kind of game shape will he be in? Does he have a firm grasp on the defensive schemes? He certainly should since he's continued to practice with the team throughout the suspension.

Let's not forget that while he's incredibly talented and gifted, he's still a redshirt freshman. Expect him to make mistakes. The question is whether the upside is worth the risk. After watching last Saturday's game, I think the answer is easy. Yes.