HOOVER, Alabama - Auburn coach Gene Chizik faced the expected questions about the NCAA investigation into the Tigers, and answered them.

"The NCAA has on more than one occasion said Auburn has done nothing wrong in the recruitment of Cam Newton. Nothing has changed," Chizik said at SEC Media Days on Thursday.

Chizik stood beside his program in an early meeting with Auburn beat writers earlier in the day.

Hundreds of reporters then had their turn. Nine of the 22 questions were related to the NCAA. Chizik repeated what he said earlier in the day: His questioning of NCAA vice president for enforcement Julie Roe Lach was informational, not confrontational.

"It was very informative and clarification made that had to do with process," Chizik said.

"I feel great where we are as a football program."

Some additions to our earlier story:

**Freshman running back

Tre Mason isn't enrolled yet, but Chizik gave him a nod with a "Tre is very gifted young man."

**On replacing Cam Newton and Nick Fairley...

Chizik conceded that replacing those two talented players can't be done simply.

"We feel good in the evaluation of our players. We feel good about our recruiting process. The past three recruiting classes we have had, we feel good about those guys. I don't know who'll be next Cam Newton or Nick Fairley. What I want is guys in there who love football and love academics.

"We have some great young players, and hopefully guys who will be productive as well."

**On whether

there is a code of silence over infractions among SEC coaches...

"What we try to do at Auburn is recruit the right way and do what is the best interest of the student-athlete. I don't have the energy or time to worry about what other people do," Chizik said.

**On the Auburn-Alabama rivalry,

and the poisoned trees at Toomer's Corner...

"This is one of the greatest rivalries in college football. There is so much passion in that rivalry. The majority of the people out there - both sides - are educated football people...without going overboard. Like anything, you'll have individuals who will go over the limit," Chizik said.