Sacramento State @ Oregon State preview

THE STORY: A much different Auburn team from last season’s BCS national championship squad takes the field for Saturday’s season opener against Utah State at Jordan-Hare Stadium. The No. 19-ranked Tigers return just five starters from 2010’s unbeaten squad, and contending in the ultra-tough SEC West will be a formidable challenge. The Aggies, who lost five of their final seven games last season, return 16 starters.

TV: ESPN2. LINE: Auburn -22.

ABOUT UTAH STATE (2010: 4-8, 2-6 WAC): The Aggies return 10 starters on offense, but lost quarterback Diondre Borel (2,108 passing yards). Junior college transfer Adam Kennedy and freshman Chuckie Keeton have split time with the first team in practice, and head coach Gary Andersen has said a starter won’t be named until the team’s first offensive series at Auburn. Junior running back Robert Turbin returns after rushing for 1,296 yards and 13 touchdowns last season. Defensively, senior linebacker Bobby Wagner highlights six returning starters. A two-time first-team All-WAC selection, Wagner recorded 133 tackles in 2010.

ABOUT AUBURN (2010: 14-0, 8-0 SEC): Gone are plenty of stars from Auburn’s championship run, including Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Cam Newton and Lombardi Award winning defensive tackle Nick Fairley. But the Tigers do have a dynamic playmaker in sophomore running back Michael Dyer, who rushed for 1,093 yards and won Offensive MVP honors in the national championship game. Junior quarterback Barrett Trotter does have an experienced target in junior tight end Philip Lutzenkirchen, who caught five touchdowns last season. Three starters return on defense, including senior Neiko Thorpe, who moves from cornerback to safety.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Auburn wide receiver Emory Blake is the only returner who caught more than three passes last season.

2. The Aggies pushed a ranked opponent in last season’s opener, falling 31-24 at No. 7 Oklahoma.

3. This will be the first meeting between the two schools.

PREDICTION: Auburn 35, Utah State 20 – The Tigers won’t go undefeated this season, but they have enough talent to begin 2011 with a victory.