News of the day, 8/29

Hey everyone. Auburn held a practice tonight that began on the practice fields and ended at Jordan-Hare Stadium. The team worked in shoulder pads and helmets -- frequently referred to as "shells" -- and actually did some light hitting.

The next hit will be against Kansas State.

Thanks for taking another DECALESCENT dose of the HOTTEST Auburn blog on the 'net.

Tuberville said Wednesday night that he still considers Brad Lester to be the Tigers' starting tailback. A few faithful blog readers, The Sizzle Hizzles, have been asking about the reasons behind Lester's situation. I know it's related to the academic problems that prefaced Lester's suspension from the Cotton Bowl. You might ask, as some have, about why something that led to a suspension in 2006 remains unresolved right now. I don't have a satisfying answer on that. People who examine things like this apparently are quite thorough.

Tommy Tuberville said he'd know more after this weekend. It's a really perplexing situation that can't be discussed in any detail because of student-privacy laws, which I support. I think Lester is an outstanding back. If he's out, that hurts Auburn. Still, I think Mario Fannin will be an outstanding back. We have to see what he does against opponents. Based on what I've seen on Fannin, he'll soon be capable of supplying Lester-like production.

Jeffrey Martin, the Kansas State beat writer in Wichita, writes today that the Wildcats are having issues of their own along the offensive front. A rotation hasn't been established. Only two guys are proven starters. You think Auburn's defense is getting just a little excited about this?

I'll be blogging from the Auburn-Kansas State game beginning at 5 p.m. Saturday. Come peep the HOTTEST game-day goods around.