[Tuck4Bama]

AUBURN - Auburn defensive coordinator Will Muschamp found himself in a heated chess game last Saturday. On one side was Muschamp. On the other side was ... Muschamp?

What kind of stupid game was this? The kind that finds a coach standing on the sideline with four injured starters. The kind in which he didn't know his best player was too hurt to play until minutes before kickoff. The kind in which he had to balance the formations with the players he had remaining.

Muschamp and Auburn almost pulled it off. South Florida won in overtime 26-23 after wearing down the Tigers by having the ball for 29 of the final 34 plays of the third quarter and 24 of the final 36 plays of regulation. That 53-17 play advantage came during a time when Auburn made four first downs.

The defensive injury list looks better heading into Saturday's home game against Mississippi State, but Muschamp is still filling up his playbook with contingency plans.

There is still uncertainty if star linebacker Tray Blackmon, he of an injured ankle, will feel well enough to play. He has dressed out and looks good watching practice. But he dressed out and looked good last week too.

Starting defensive back Aairon Savage seems likely to return from his ankle injury, but fellow defensive back Jonathan Wilhite is doubtful because of a hurt hamstring. Starting linebacker Merrill Johnson is doubtful because of a bad shoulder.

Muschamp's replacements are again waiting in the wings. Backup Chris Evans, who made 14 tackles against South Florida, will play even if Blackmon does get in. Courtney Harden will play in place of Johnson.

The problem with all of that is this: If the backups are in, who replaces the backups? Nobody, or at least Auburn made few defensive changes against South Florida.

"It's been different because (in previous games) we've had a lot of players (providing relief) back there," said defensive back Eric Brock. "Usually we have a little rotation, a little help."

Muschamp has to plan around AU's injuries- al.com