Junior defensive end Antonio Coleman said Tuesday that he has yet to think about skipping his senior season to enter the 2009 NFL Draft.

TUSCALOOSA — P.J. Fitzgerald played quarterback and wingback in high school, but the slightly built punter knew that wasn’t going to get him on a college football field.

Though he doesn’t exactly agree with it, Tommy Tuberville has a week-and-a-half to prepare Auburn for its Iron Bowl clash with No. 1 Alabama in Tuscaloosa.

TUSCALOOSA — Alabama senior defensive end Bobby Greenwood has spent the past 13 weeks flinging his body at large offensive linemen.

Pitchers and catchers don’t receive the same amenities as a quarterback and his bevy of assistants do when it comes to relaying information.

Virtually every college football season has a theme. 

Alabama coach Nick Saban said Monday things are looking “up” for his top-ranked Crimson Tide. During this open week before the Iron Bowl, the emphasis will be on players getting “caught up, rested up and healed up.”

For Auburn, it’s simply been the “dead zone.”

The opportunities were more abundant Saturday, more within fingertips reach, than they have been throughout this season of blown chances and unmet expectations.

First, let’s just get something out of the way: There’s no such thing as moral victories.

Auburn’s players call him “Super Mario,” a gimme of a nickname for the Tigers’ sophomore tailback.