The Auburn Tigers have slowly become one of the nation’s elite college football programs under the supervision of Tommy Tuberville.

In 2004, the Tigers went 13-0 with a Sugar Bowl victory and might have won the national title, if not for some whacky Oklahoma bias.

This past season, Auburn won nine games, pummeled Alabama for the fourth-straight season and competed in a January bowl.

With very few early departures to the NFL and a wealth of redshirted talent on the roster, the Orange-and-Blue have very few questions left to be answered.

Q: What receivers will replace the departed Ben Obomanu, Anthony Mix and Devin Aromashodu?

A: First off, the most explosive receiver on campus, Courtney Taylor, returns for his senior season. Injuries plagued Taylor for much of 2005, but a healthy 2006 will vault the Carrolton native into the first round of the NFL Draft.

Look for freshmen, Tim Hawthorne and Terrell Zachery to play pivotal roles in the wide out rotation. Both have potential to be SEC stars.

Redshirt freshman and Pelham native Montez Billings might have been forgotten by some people, but he was a top-recruited prospect two years ago and has only gotten better with practice.

Q: Will new defensive coordinator Will Muschamp have the same success he did at LSU?

A: Tommy Tuberville continues to prove that he has the knack for finding top-notch assistant coaches.

Bringing in offensive guru Al Borges to run the offense was one of the best hires ever. Look how he turned Carnell Williams, Ronnie Brown and Jason Campbell into first-round picks.

But bringing in the former Bengal Tiger coordinator may prove to be the best coup of all.

Muschamp led the defense that won a national title, along with gaining professional experience this past season with the Miami Dolphins.

Auburn’s defense will continue to be one of the best units in the nation and may get even better. Now that’s scary!

Q: What quarterback will win the backup job behind rising junior Brandon Cox?

A: As Alabama fans know very well, all top-notch college teams must have a capable second-string quarterback.

Last season, Blake Fields was the No. 2 guy and showed very few flashes of brilliance.

Look for incoming frosh Neil Caudle to capture the backup job before the end of next season. He is coming off knee surgery, but has the tools to be a SEC-elite quarterback.

Q: What playmaker will emerge on defense to fill the void left by early NFL departure Stanley McClover?

A: A lot of the usual suspects are back in Quentin Groves, Will Herring and David Irons, but look for redshirt freshman linebacker Tray Blackmon to explode on the scene next season.

Blackmon was one of the top backers coming out of high school in 2004 and had a year to get stronger and faster, while practicing with the team.

He will start next season and vie for SEC Freshman of the Year with the potential to reach 80-plus tackles.

Q: Who will take the place of All-American offensive lineman Marcus McNeill?

A: Sophomore-to-be offensive tackle Leon Hart has been groomed to fill McNeill’s shoes since he stepped foot on campus.

Hart gets his shot in 2006 and must prove early he can handle the pressure of protecting Cox from the blitz.

But if Hart lives up to his potential, then he might garner even more accolades than McNeill received.