Over the past two seasons, an all-star offensive player has led the Auburn football team.
Whether you look at Cam Newton in 2010 or Michael Dyer in 2011, one thing is clear: it was star power that gave the Tigers the competitive edge.
But this year is different. There is no individual breakout player. Instead, this team can best be described as just that: a team.
If Auburn looks to improve on last year's 8-5 record, it's going to need everyone to step up, from the senior veterans to the inexperienced freshmen.
With new offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler implementing a more pass-heavy game, it's up to sophomore quarterback Kiehl Frazier and a collection of young receivers to light the way.
The loss of DeAngelo Benton and Quindarius Carr leaves room for more players to get a shot at competing in games, creating a competitive attitude among the receivers not just in games, but practice as well.
"Guys are more competitive about jobs because there are more jobs open," said wide receivers coach Trooper Taylor. "It's a different mindset in thinking for a player to practice knowing he has a chance to play rather than waiting for somebody to get hurt before you have a chance to play."
Seniors Emory Blake and Travante Stallworth will anchor the wide receiving core, providing much-needed experience and leadership.
Blake led the team in receiving last year, accounting for five touchdowns and nearly a third of the Tigers' passing yards.
Then come the youngsters.
Sophomore Sammie Coates, redshirt freshman Melvin Ray and true freshman Ricardo Louis have the skills, but it's hard to gauge how successful they will be against college football's top defenses.
Sophomore Jaylon Denson, named the nation's No. 24 wide receiver coming out of high school by Rivals.com, has impressed Taylor with his leadership, a trait vital to on-field success.
Sophomores Trovon Reed and Quan Bray combined for over 200 yards last year, showing promise of improvement coming into this season.
"A lot of positions on this football team are wide open for young guys to come in and help," Taylor said.
Senior running back Onterio McCalebb is also back, adding yet another viable receiving option for Frazier. With 344 receiving yards last year, McCalebb's talent will only strengthen the Tigers' pass game.
Now tack on a healthy Philip Lutzenkirchen, who led the team last year in touchdown receptions with seven. He's Auburn's biggest threat, a 6 foot-5 tight end who has a gift for being in the right place at the right time.
"There's no substitute for experience," Taylor said, but don't count the pass game out just yet.
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