With a new head coach and offensive coordinator taking the reigns, Auburn fans hope this season sees a return to the traditional power running game that has been absent in recent years.

When the spread offense was introduced on the Plains last season, many experts predicted Auburn's ground game wouldn't be very productive. Once the staple of the program, the running game wasn't up to par and only managed to gain 1,650 yards. That was the lowest season total since 1999, when the team ran for 748 yards. From 2000-07, Auburn averaged 2,183 rushing yards per season. Both head coach Gene Chizik and offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn promise to take Auburn back to its glory days of smashmouth football. They know the naysayers, especially those who support that team in Tuscaloosa, will once again predict a weak rushing attack. They will say Malzahn's offense will focus on passing instead of running the ball. Malzahn brings the same offense to Auburn that he had success with while coordinator at Arkansas during the 2006 season with the duo of Darren McFadden and Felix Jones in the backfield. He continued to have the same success at Tulsa when his offense rushed for 2,421 yards and 28 touchdowns in 2007 and 3,752 yards and 40 touchdowns in 2008. Auburn probably doesn't have the talent to rack up that kind of yardage, but it shows Malzahn is committed to running the football. Ben Tate (Photo courtesy of autigers.com) One tailback who could give the Tigers a spark in the backfield and who is poised to have a huge season is senior Ben Tate. Malzahn and running backs coach Curtis Luper think Tate could finish the season with over 1,000 yards. That feat hasn't been accomplished since tailback Kenny Irons ran for 1,293 yards in 2005. Tate came up just short of reaching the 1,000-yard mark with 903 yards in 2007. Tate was the top rusher on the team last season with just 664 rushing yards, the lowest output from the team's leading rusher since 2001. After a productive spring which received praise from Luper, Tate will be the primary ball carrier with true freshman Onterrio McCalebb and sophomore Eric Smith providing plenty of talent to move the chains when Tate needs a breather. McCalebb was the nation's No. 1 running back recruit after a stellar senior year in high school which saw him rush for 1,995 yards and 27 touchdowns. McCalebb showed off his blazing speed during the A-Day game with a 70-yard touchdown run. He'll primarily be used as a backup but will also get plenty of chances to get into open space as a receiver. Most of Smith's carries will come during short-yardage situations. His 5-10, 234-pound frame is perfect for picking up one or two yards when the offense needs a first down. Mario Fannin (Photo courtesy of autigers.com) Junior Mario Fannin will be used all over the field in Malzahn's offense. He'll start out as an H-Back, which is the spread offense's version of a tight end. Last season, Fannin was third on the team in receiving with 20 catches for 223 yards and two touchdowns. The versatile back will also see action at tailback and he'll be asked to do some blocking, too. In 2008, he finished fourth on the team in rushing with 238 yards and a touchdown. Phil Marion Next week: Offensive Line and Tight Ends Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers