Zach Clayton calls it “pre-hab.”

Daren Bates received a text message from his mother Tuesday morning, reminding him of how much of a “blessing” it was that he’d be starting Saturday’s season opener against Arkansas State.

As he struggled to find real playing time in 2009, T’Sharvan Bell heard it from just about every coach at Auburn’s practices.

The air was unseasonably cool and rain sporadically fell during Sunday’s practice, providing the Tigers with a not-so-accurate sneak preview for what Saturday’s season-opening game conditions are anticipated to resemble.

Quindarius Carr can laugh about it and smile now.

Lee Ziemba knows just one player on Arkansas State’s roster — maybe. And he knows there are bigger, tougher and more important games ahead on Auburn’s schedule.

Auburn senior center Ryan Pugh and senior offensive tackle Lee Ziemba have been named to the watch list for the Rotary Lombardi Award, which is given to the nation’s best down lineman, offense or defense, or linebacker.

For those who have caught the last few Auburn practices, the news Gene Chizik shared Thursday wasn’t a big surprise.