AUBURN, ALABAMA - Two blowout wins, two embarrassing losses. Will the real Auburn Tigers please step forward? <br>
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The Tigers (2-2, 1-0 Southeastern Conference) get an opportunity to prove themselves worthy of at least some of their preseason hype when No. 7 Tennessee visits Saturday night. <br>
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``We're getting ready to start the meat of our conference schedule,'' coach Tommy Tuberville said Tuesday. ``In the month of October, we'll find out how good a football team we are.'' <br>
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The first four games haven't provided many answers. Auburn is coming off a 38-point win over Vanderbilt and a 45-point blowout of Division I-AA Western Kentucky. <br>
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It was the first time Auburn has won consecutive games by 35-plus points since 1970, but it's unclear how much of a measuring stick those teams provide. <br>
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``We haven't had a big test since the first of the season and we didn't pass any one of those on either side of the ball, kicking or coaching,'' Tuberville said. ``We want to get out and see if we've improved. I think our players will accept the challenge.'' <br>
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The Tigers were outscored 40-3 in their first two games against tougher opponents, Southern California and Georgia Tech, to fall from preseason No. 6 out of the rankings. <br>
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Of much more consequence will be how the team fares in the coming weeks against the Volunteers (4-0, 2-0) and Mississippi State at home and at No. 8 Arkansas and No. 6 LSU. It's a four-game stretch that could either thrust Auburn into league title contention or remove them from the race. <br>
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``We just feel we're a better team than we showed in the first couple of weeks,'' tailback Carnell Williams said. ``We're playing a top 10 team and it's a chance for us to show that we belong in that group with those teams. <br>
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``We've got three top teams coming in, we have to come out, do our business, prove to everybody that we belong and we are one of the top teams in the country.'' <br>
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There are encouraging signs for the Tigers. Auburn's defense has ascended to No. 2 in the nation overall and hasn't allowed a third-down conversion in the first half in the past three games (0-for-17). <br>
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In fact, opponents have managed just 10 points and 415 total yards in the last nine quarters. <br>
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The running game also has come around, with the emergence of junior college transfer Brandon Jacobs. <br>
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Jacobs has 171 yards in the past two games, not far behind Carnell Williams (217) and Ronnie Brown (205). <br>
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All three have rushed for at least 50 yards in both wins. <br>
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Tuberville and the Tigers are about ready to forget about the preseason ranking and the abrupt fall from grace. The preseason SEC favorites still have their sights set on a league title. <br>
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``They shouldn't start polls until the middle of the season anyway,'' Tuberville said. ``We played a very tough opening two games and weren't successful, but the season is not put on two games, it's put on 12 games. <br>
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``We're trying to improve this week because we know how tough this conference is. It's not going to get any easier the rest of the way.''
