Taylor: "We Love Where We Are"

With cross state rival Alabama soaking up the national spotlight and adding the elusive Sports Illustrated cover to its trophy case this week, Auburn continues to operate under the national radar. The Auburn players say that's fine with them.

The Tigers talented wide receiver Courtney Taylor says, "We love where we are." And for this team why wouldn't they? A year ago this time, Auburn was becoming a proven commodity. With four future first-round draft picks Coach Tommy Tuberville knew what he had.

A year later, no one is quite sure. But if you've been at Jordan-Hare Stadium the last four weeks you've no doubt noticed the improvements Auburn has made since a week one lost to Georgia Tech. The Tigers are quietly becoming a solid football team.

Brandon Cox is progressing nicely and is becoming more and more comfortable under center. But the biggest change has been at the running back position where redshirt freshman Brad Lester is emerging as a viable replacement to Carnell Williams and Ronnie Brown. Lester was hardly a blip in the loss to Tech. But this week he's running with the first team as they prepare for Arkansas next Saturday.

He's battling fellow back Kenny Irons who's no shrinking violet. Irons has shown flashes of brilliance this year. Expect to see Lester and Irons used in much the same way as Williams and Brown were a year ago.

As we head into October it appears that this year's Iron Bowl might be one for the ages. Can we ask for anything better?

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