Sports

True freshman Justin Albert had to wait a little longer than his classmates to begin his college football career.

With the season finally, mercifully starting this week, the time has come for my annual conference predictions.

TUSCALOOSA — Alabama unveiled its depth chart Monday for the Clemson game.

John Pawlowski’s first season as Auburn’s head baseball coach will have the usual tough Southeastern Conference schedule, plus a handful of intriguing non-conference games.

It didn’t take long for the Auburn soccer team to be recognized by the Southeastern Conference. 

The Auburn women’s basketball team ended last season in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, the program’s first NCAA tourney appearance in four years. The Tigers, who released their schedule Monday, hope to finish even better this year.

Auburn’s coaches didn’t have to spend much time selling Gabe McKenzie on the merits of a position switch.

The question has dominated discussion of Auburn football since before the Tigers’ first preseason practice: Who will be AU’s starting quarterback?

TUSCALOOSA — Alabama’s game this Saturday against Clemson is an unusual season opener for the Crimson Tide, but the players are eager to see where they stand.

Kara Kasten’s second goal of the year was the difference-maker in a highly offensive contest with little to show for it on the scoreboard as the Auburn soccer team improved to 2-0-0 on the year with a 1-0 win over UAB on Sunday night.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — New York Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora, a former star at Auburn High, will have season-ending surgery on his injured left knee.
Umenyiora was hurt in the second quarter of Saturday’s preseason game against the New York Jets, and Dr. Russell Warren told the team on Sunday that an MRI found a tear in his lateral meniscus.

Before the 2007 season, Tommy Tuberville’s philosophy on freshmen was clear: The Auburn head coach preferred all but the most talented rookies to redshirt, saving a year of eligibility and gaining a year of exposure to the playbook and the weight room.

TUSCALOOSA — University of Alabama quarterback John Parker Wilson either owns or will own nearly every passing record in school history by the end of this season.

BEIJING — Track and field competition at the Olympic Games concluded Saturday, with the exception of the men’s marathon, as former Auburn Tigers added a fifth medal to their count.

Gray skies and heavy rain were not enough to dampen the fun as members of the Auburn football team, cheerleading squad and Aubie signed autographs and posed for pictures for the children at Storybook Farm Saturday afternoon.

DOUGLASVILLE, Ga. — Ballard Christian’s 8-man football team improved to 2-0 on the season, beating Praise Academy, 66-16, on Friday night.

There are plenty of explanations for the success Auburn defensive tackle Mike Blanc has enjoyed this preseason.

Auburn took things slow in Friday’s preseason practice. The Tigers hardly had a choice.

Spence McCracken just wanted to see effort Friday night.

TUSCALOOSA — Alabama’s best running backs are eager to be more versatile in offensive coordinator Jim McElwain’s new offense.