However, they toss out this disclaimer after ranking Virginia Tech at #4: “Take the teams from No. 5 to, roughly, No. 35, throw them in a bag and pick them out, and you’d probably have the right order.”

Check it out:

5. Auburn 4-0

Last Week: W, Ball State 54-30
This Week: at Tennessee

Why the ranking is too high: The special teams are struggling a bit with no return game, and the home win over West Virginia a few weeks ago was a bit shaky needing turnovers to win. Auburn hasn’t gone on the road yet and now has to go away for three of the next four games.

Why the ranking is too low: The 49-24 win over Mississippi State in Week Two now looks really, really strong. The offensive line has been fantastic, and after the win over Ball State, Chris Todd and the passing game proved they can move the offense if needed.

The Schedule:

Watch out. The last thing the Gene Chizik era needs is to start out with a clunker of a home loss, but that could be a problem with a tough game against a strong Louisiana Tech team to start out. After a date with Mississippi State to open up the SEC season on September 12th, the conference slate gets tough with three road games in four weeks going to Tennessee, Arkansas and LSU. While there’s a week off before playing Alabama, the second half of the schedule could be a nightmare playing at LSU, Ole Miss, at Georgia and Alabama, with a week off and a layup against Furman thrown in the mix.

From the College Football News 2009 Auburn Tigers preview:

Ten Best 2009 Auburn Tiger Returning Players

1. DE Antonio Coleman, Sr.
2. WR Mario Fannin, Jr.
3. OT Lee Ziemba, Jr.
4. LB Josh Bynes, Jr.
5. RB Ben Tate, Sr.
6. LB Craig Stevens, Jr.
7. S Zac Etheridge, Jr.
8. DE Michael Goggans, Jr.
9. RB Onterio McCalebb, Fr.
10. CB Walt McFadden, Sr.