OFFENSE

For the third season in a row, Auburn plans to enter August with at least a hint of mystery about its starting quarterback. But unlike last year, when it was a matter of when — not if — Cam Newton would eventually win the job, the 2011 race is more difficult to handicap. Barrett Trotter spent last season as Newton’s top backup, but played sparingly because of Newton’s invincibility. Clint Moseley emerged as a viable option this spring. Then there’s Kiehl Frazier, the true freshman phenom from Arkansas who was personally and aggressively recruited by offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn.

Running back Michael Dyer is likely to have an even bigger role after reaching 1,000 yards rushing as a freshman. Few doubted Dyer’s talent, but his durability might have been most impressive. Coaches are trying to develop other options to relieve pressure on Dyer. Onterio McCalebb, now a junior, keeps gaining weight and has likely shed the “scatback” label because of his toughness.

With Darvin Adams and Terrell Zachery gone and wide-open paths to the starting jobs, there are no excuses remaining for highly recruited receivers DeAngelo Benton and Trovon Reed, both of whom are expected — and needed — to catch a lot of passes this season.

The line might be most worrisome after being one of the best units in the country last year. Even the lone returning starter, senior Brandon Mosley, has spent most of his career on defense or at tight end.

DEFENSE

Nick Fairley barely received cursory mention in preview magazines like this one last summer. Sure, the bulky tackle was considered an intriguing talent, but coaches largely spoke of him as someone who needed to work harder to reach his potential rather than a finished product ready to dominate the SEC. That should give hope to new defensive line coach Mike Pelton as he works with Auburn’s youthful linemen who are the face of a thoroughly depleted defense.

Sophomores like Kenneth Carter and Jeff Whitaker seem poised for breakout years after light duty as freshmen. Among linebackers, the enigmatic Eltoro Freeman has shown glimpses of brilliance but has never reached the stardom that many predicted for him. He’s a senior now, so 2011 is his last chance.

In the secondary, Neiko Thorpe has moved from cornerback to safety, freeing him to focus on big hits. T’Sharvan Bell began to establish himself as a bona fide SEC cover corner last year.

SPECIALISTS

Punter Steven Clark and placekicker Cody Parkey got a taste of action in 2010, so they won’t be starting from scratch after winning their jobs full-time.

FINAL ANALYSIS

The Tigers have an undersized roster and a collection of unproven underclassmen vying to fill roles that used to be occupied by veterans. No, the Tigers don’t look like defending national champions, but appearances can be deceiving. Back-to-back top-five recruiting classes have stocked the bottom half of Auburn’s roster with elite players eager to prove their worth.

This year’s brutal schedule will make it all but impossible to duplicate last year’s success. But if the Tigers are able to weather this year’s challenges while adapting new players to SEC competition, they will be poised to return to the national title discussion in 2012, when they’ll have a friendlier schedule and a more experienced roster.