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Auburn quarterback Jeremy Johnson (6) takes a snap and Auburn center Reese Dismukes (50) blocks against Georgia during the second quarter Saturday, Nov. 16, 2013, at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala. (Julie Bennett/jbennett@al.com)

Every good football fan knows the basic statistics: total yards, rushing defense, yards per carry, sacks, tackles, etc. But like any statistic, the basics rarely tell the whole story, and in this series, AL.com aims to identify a few key numbers to watch as Auburn's 2014 season unfolds.

The question: Now that Greg Robinson's gone, can Auburn's offensive line be nearly as dominant in 2014?

The stat: Career starts.

The numbers: Depending on which lineup Auburn offensive line coach J.B. Grimes decides to use, the Tigers could open the season with as many as 113 starts or as few as 77. The last time Auburn opened a season behind an offensive line with more than 100 career starts, the Tigers won the national championship. If Auburn goes with the biggest possible combination, the Tigers would rank 11th in the country in career starts.

The exception: According to college football expert Phil Steele, eight teams had more than 100 starts heading into last season, and that group included Texas, Tennessee, Georgia Tech and a few other teams that struggled.

Why it matters: Steele has been writing it for years, but when most pundits make preseason projections, they're based on returners at the skill positions and on the defensive side of the ball, instead of the offensive line. Auburn brings back four starters from the nation's No. 1 running attack, and another player in offensive tackle Patrick Miller who already has 14 career starts under his belt. Even without Greg Robinson, the Tigers have Rimington Trophy finalist Reese Dismukes (37 starts) at center, three-year starter Chad Slade (36) at guard, Avery Young (12 starts) on the outside or inside, and Alex Kozan (14 starts) locking down left guard. The lone new face on the offensive line could be Shon Coleman, but with that much experience at the other spots, he'd have plenty of help as a first-year starter.