After leading the nation with 328 rushing yards per game a season ago, Auburn's offense is expected to air it out more with a quarterback set to start under center for a second-straight season. With four starters returning along the offensive line, protecting the quarterback will be crucial if the Tigers want to defend their SEC title.

When J.B. Grimes was hired to coach the offensive line after the 2012 season, he saw talent but wasn't sure what the players' mindset would be after going through a 3-9 season. He soon found out they wanted to win and were ready to buy into his system. The process of getting his unit ready for the 2013 season wasn't easy as the group experienced its share of growing pains. But, after a bye week in late September, the line finally gelled which helped Auburn put together an eight-game winning streak to end the regular season. With Greg Robinson anchoring the left tackle position, the offensive line paved the way for Auburn's record-setting performance on the ground, rushing for 4,596 yards and 48 touchdowns while finishing 12-2 overall. It isn't likely Auburn will come close to putting up the same kind of numbers on the ground this fall since both Robinson and tailback Tre Mason opted to leave early for the NFL. The group of tailbacks will still get plenty of carries, but if the A-Day game is a sign of what the offense will look like during the upcoming season, Nick Marshall will get the opportunity to showcase his strong throwing arm. With the offense promising to pass more than run, the main goal for the starters along the line will be protecting the senior quarterback. The unit allowed 18 sacks a year ago and it was a major emphasis during spring drills to keep the sack numbers low again so the offense can have success throwing the ball. Patrick Miller (Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com) Finding a suitable replacement at left tackle will be key so Marshall can have a big season through the air. Vying for the job are Shon Coleman and Patrick Miller. Both took turns at the position with the first-team offense throughout the spring, but the job is still up for grabs and likely won't be decided until well into fall camp. Coleman served as Robinson's backup last season and is a better run blocker, while Miller is better at protecting the quarterback and has more experience with 14 starts at right tackle the past two seasons. Miller could be the backup at both tackle spots if he doesn't win the job at left tackle. Alex Kozan started all 14 games at left guard last year and is set to anchor the position again in the fall. Last year, he was named by the SEC coaches to the All-Freshman team, and the Football Writers Association of America placed him on their freshman All-America team. Kozan's backup will either be Devonte Danzey or Jordan Diamond. Danzey appeared in three games last season and Diamond could see playing time at both guard spots after missing all of spring drills while recovering from knee surgery. At right tackle, Avery Young looks to be the starter with 10 starts at the position last season. Young is healthy heading into fall camp after breaking his thumb on the first play against Florida State in the national championship game. Reese Dismukes (Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com) Chad Slade started all 14 games at right guard last year and it's a safe bet he will start there again despite being moved to left guard the last two weeks of spring. The move was made to create depth at multiple positions on the line. There is no doubt the leader of the offensive line is center Reese Dismukes. Dismukes has 37 starts at the position and was an All-SEC selection and Rimington Trophy finalist last year. He was kept out of most contact drills in the spring to reduce the chance of being injured. That meant his backup Xavier Dampeer saw extra snaps with the first-team offense. The extra snaps will prepare Dampeer to take over the center position and be game-ready if Dismukes goes down with an injury. Phil Marion Coming July 21: Defensive Line Update: Alex Kozan is out for the season after undergoing back surgery. Quarterbacks and Receivers Running Backs