Auburn, West Virginia give each other early gauge

By: Associated Press | Alabama's13.com
Published: September 17, 2009

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AUBURN, Ala. (AP) - Auburn coach Gene Chizik figures this is a good time for his team to face a strong test.

The Tigers get just that Saturday night when West Virginia visits. Both teams are 2-0, and the Mountaineers have won five straight over Southeastern Conference teams.

Auburn has won its first two games by 24 and 25 points. West Virginia has double-digit wins over Liberty and East Carolina.

With heavy reliance on inexperienced players and modest preseason forecasts, the teams are side-by-side in the "others receiving votes" category of the Top 25. This might be a game to find out where they really stand.

Chizik, for one, isn't getting caught up in the excitement over the first two games. Auburn started 3-0 last season and fell to 5-7, prompting a coaching change from Tommy Tuberville.