Lindys gives Auburn high preseason ranking

Auburn is ranked eighth in the country and picked to win the Southeastern Conference Western Division according to preseason rankings by Lindy's Football Magazine. Also, several Auburn players are recognized with preseason honors.

Senior running back Kenny Irons, senior defensive back David Irons and senior punter Kody Bliss are all honored as preseason second-team All-Americans and first-team All-SEC.

In addition, senior offensive lineman Tim Duckworth and junior defensive end Quentin Groves were named to the preseason All-SEC first team, while senior offensive lineman Ben Grubbs was a second team pick.

Auburn's defensive backfield is ranked as the No. 8 unit nationally, the offensive backfield is ranked No. 9 and the offensive line is ranked 10th.

As part of Lindy's 25th anniversary celebration, the magazine also includes a special section devoted to the past 25 years of college football. Auburn is ranked as the No. 2 team in the SEC over the past quarter-century, while the first Iron Bowl at Jordan-Hare Stadium was picked as the most memorable game from the past 25 years.

Also running back Bo Jackson, offensive lineman Ed King and defensive lineman Tracy Rocker were named to the All-SEC first team for the past 25 years, while offensive lineman Willie Anderson, linebacker Takeo Spikes and defensive back Carlos Rogers were chosen as second-team representatives.

Lindy's 2006 Southeastern Conference magazine hits the newsstands May 23 or can be purchased by visiting Lindy's Sports.