As they move toward the start of the 2009 NCAA College Football season, the Auburn Tigers will try to put a disappointing 2008 season behind them and push to compete in are very tough Southeastern Conference.

For the past few seasons, there has been a lack of discipline on both sides of the ball at Auburn. However, with a new coach in Gene Chizik and a wealth of returning starters on offense and defense, the Tigers are optimistic that they will show some improvement.

Odds makers have the Tigers at +800 to take home an SEC Championship and Vegas has Auburn at +12000 to win a BCS National Title.

Seven starters return on offense from a 2008 squad that was not very good, finishing 104th in the nation in total offense and 110th in scoring. At the quarterback position, Kodi Burns seems to be the front runner after splitting time with Chris Todd a season ago.

He'll have three his top five receivers returning, so if the offensive line can protect Burns, he should be able to push the ball down the field through the air as well as hurt defenses with his legs.

On the other side of the ball the Auburn defense should be tough. They also return seven starters on defense, where Auburn was a very good 29th overall in 2008. Safeties Zac Etheridge and Mike McNeil led the team in tackles, while Walter McFadden is looking to close out his Auburn career on a high note.

Up-front Antonio Coleman and Zach Clayton both expect to put some heat on opposing quarterbacks. If this duo of defensive linemen can improve on their sack totals, the Auburn defense could be very dangerous in 2009.

Look for the Auburn Tigers to be better than they were a season ago, but don't get too high on their chances to get out of the conference.