Saturday’s game against Louisiana-Monroe won’t just be Auburn’s first game of the 2008 football season. It’ll also be the first college action for a host of young Tigers.

Eight true freshmen were listed on the depth chart released Tuesday, as were a handful of redshirt freshmen.

“We’ve probably got a dozen or so guys that this is the first time they’ll ever play in a college football game,” head coach Tommy Tuberville said Wednesday.

With the youngsters in mind, AU spent half an hour Wednesday in Jordan-Hare Stadium, fine-tuning a few key details in advance of Saturday’s game.

“Today was adjustment day; tomorrow will be polish day,” Tuberville said.

The Tigers worked on game-management situations, with a special focus on substitutions. Timely, accurate substitutions will be a key Saturday, especially on offense.

Offensive coordinator Tony Franklin’s no-huddle scheme depends on a fast pace, and substitutions have to be fast and smooth.

With so many first-timers on the field, Tuberville wants to be prepared for every possibility.

“It’s good to (make mistakes) today, and not Saturday,” Tuberville said. “It’s always the guys that’ve never played — they really don’t know what’s going on and how urgent every situation is.”

Wednesday’s session was also an important one for Auburn’s coaches. Outside receivers coach Greg Knox will spend game days on the field this year, after 14 seasons of coaching from the press box. Knox coached on the sidelines during last year’s Chick-fil-A Bowl, but Tuberville said the refresher was helpful.

Inside receivers coach Steve Ensminger will be the only offensive coach in the press box. Linebackers coach James Willis and defensive ends coach Terry Price are the defensive coaches who will work from the box.

The stadium work wasn’t all serious, though. The players watched some of the pregame videos that will be shown in the minutes just before kickoff, while the team is in the locker room.

“It lets them know what’s going on outside when all the hooting and hollering’s going on,” Tuberville said.

LB Pybus, DB Cole iffy to play
Freshman linebacker Spencer Pybus and safety Drew Cole weren’t listed on the depth chart on defense — a bad sign for the duo’s hopes to play this season. But both are still working with the varsity on special teams, which could be the key to early playing time.

Tuberville said a decision hasn’t been made on Pybus and Cole. He said he’s told his assistants they can choose to play any freshmen they choose, but admitted the assistants tend to err on the side of caution.

“We’ll get to Friday, and … (the assistant coaches say) ‘Well, Coach, lets think about that another week,’” Tuberville joked. “You know how that goes.”

Injury report
Wide receiver Montez Billings (hamstring) won’t play Saturday, Tuberville said. Billings hasn’t practiced in at least three days.

“He’s probably (out) another week after this one,” Tuberville said.

Defensive end A.J. Greene (hamstring) is also out.

Tuberville said tailback Tristan Davis (hamstring) ran well Wednesday. Davis, Auburn’s top kickoff return man, could play this weekend.

Tuberville said backup offensive linemen Darrell Roseman (shins) and Bart Eddins (shoulder) can play Saturday “if needed.”

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