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Title Contender: Auburn

Tigers benefit from an advantageous home schedule

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Kenny Irons
Bill Frakes/SI
Auburn
2005 Record 9-3 (7-1 SEC)
Final AP Rank 14
Returning Starters 11 (5 offense, 6 defense)
Last National
Title		 1957
The Contenders
Auburn Michigan
Cal Nebraska
Clemson Notre Dame
Florida State Ohio State
Georgia Tech South Carolina
Iowa USC
Louisville Utah
Miami West Virginia

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By Stewart Mandel, SI.com

Why Auburn can win it all: Auburn's three toughest SEC opponents (on paper, at least) -- LSU, Florida and Georgia -- all come to Jordan-Hare. The offense should be extremely balanced with 1,300-yard rusher Kenny Irons and proficient QB Brandon Cox. The Tigers' defense should be strong as always, highlighted by ferocious pass-rushers Marquies Gunn and Quentin Groves.

What must fall into place: With only one experienced receiver, Courtney Taylor, returning, some new playmakers need to emerge from among a group that includes Prechae Rodriguez, Lee Guess and Montez Billings. New left tackle King Dunlap, who replaces four-year starter Marcus McNeill, needs to become a force.

How it could go wrong: In a league where you're bound to have numerous close games, the Tigers will be in trouble if kicker John Vaughn reverts to his performance in last year's LSU game, during which he missed five field goals. Defensive coordinator Will Muschamp moved standout safety Will Herring to linebacker, which should bolster the run defense but could leave the Tigers' secondary vulnerable.

Good omen: Like Auburn in last year's Capital One Bowl (a 24-10 loss to Wisconsin), the last three SEC teams to win national titles (LSU in 2003, Tennessee in 1998, Florida in '96) all got crushed in their bowl game the year before.
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