tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65115203557694529112024-03-13T18:33:48.430-07:00 Eyes on AuburnZackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10880181291039076547noreply@blogger.comBlogger323125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511520355769452911.post-21554784712912670422014-07-02T07:15:00.001-07:002014-07-02T07:15:17.088-07:00Moving on.<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/hgw_yprN_-w" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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<br />
So all good things must come to an end. A couple years ago, we lost Rob to Rivals. Now it is time for me to change locations as well. I will be a contributor on SBnation's College and Magnolia site. <br />
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I am excited about the change. Don't worry. I will still be my normal self in a new place. I look forward to writing more and hopefully interacting more with all of you on the new site.<br />
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This has been a wonderful place to vent the bad times and celebrate the good times in relation to Auburn football. I have had a lot of fun doing it.<br />
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I will keep the site up for posterity. Thanks for reading over the yrs.<br />
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Zack<br />
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Zackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10880181291039076547noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511520355769452911.post-57282859882116058082014-03-19T07:19:00.000-07:002014-03-19T07:19:33.796-07:00A Grand Slam<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7AyJXTz3q9JPdRYNrylBb7LAFaq3VJb8RhzH8uYUTo1-YhDw5zdjTFXGtNGLI27_e4yhwn3FFaJlOk8HJ_8OAcVwy6ERwelyt1Nen8WZAl9PlFOeaezUUSpjN0CZ_kkGnJA1DgkgREduR/s1600/Pearl.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7AyJXTz3q9JPdRYNrylBb7LAFaq3VJb8RhzH8uYUTo1-YhDw5zdjTFXGtNGLI27_e4yhwn3FFaJlOk8HJ_8OAcVwy6ERwelyt1Nen8WZAl9PlFOeaezUUSpjN0CZ_kkGnJA1DgkgREduR/s400/Pearl.jpg" /></a> <i>He wants you! (In Auburn Arena)<br />
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We have been tough on Jay Jacobs over the years. I have been tough on Jay Jacobs over they years. The Gene Chizik hire was one of the worst in Auburn history. <br />
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In hindsight, Tony Barbee and John Pawloski were pretty lousy hires, too. But at the time, those seemed like pretty good pick ups. Both had big success at mid major programs. Both were up and comers. <br />
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Both failed miserably.<br />
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Jacobs finally has come in to his own as an athletic director. He hired the best coach in the country in football in Gus Malzahn. All Gus did in year one was take a mentally whipped football team and turned them into an SEC champ seemingly overnight. <br />
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Sonny Galloway has changed the culture of baseball pretty quickly at Auburn. He inherited a bunch of prima donnas whom needed to be whipped into shape. After a rocky start, Auburn is on the cusp of the top 25 with a 15-7 record, having, at this point, played the toughest schedule in the SEC. <br />
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March 18th trumps both of those previous hires(yes,even Gus Malzahn).<br />
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Bruce Pearl is one of the top 5 basketball coaches in the country. He is right up there with Coach K, Jimmy Boeheim, and Tom Izzo. He will bring instant credibility to the program. He is a fantastic recruiter. His brand of basketball is exciting and up tempo. He is also a showman. Last night's welcome reception is a prime example.<br />
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For the first time in over a decade, I am excited about Auburn basketball again. Not since Mamadou, Smith, Doc, CP, and Scotty have I been so excited. I was a student then, when the old Beard-Eaves was filled to the brim with over 10,0000 to see Auburn destroy Arkansas, Florida, and Alabama. <br />
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I expect that again very soon. <br />
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Pearl revamped Tennessee in one season. UT went 14-17 the year prior to Pearl's arrival and lost their leading scorer to graduation. Sound familiar? We may not make the NCAA tournament in year one, but we will be competitive. I can promise you that much.<br />
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Look for an instant rivalry with Kentucky as well. It is pretty well known that Bruce Pearl and Calipari hate each other, dating back to the UT-Memphis days. Throw in some added hatred that Cal will have for AU since they fired his protege. Also don't be surprised if Barbee winds up an assistant at UK in the next year or two. <br />
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Auburn is the hot school right now in college sports. Jay Jacobs, for all of his face-planting failure over the first few years in the A.D.'s chair, deserves credit for making the biggest splash we have ever seen in college basketball. <br />
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Now we can be excited about Auburn basketball again. We can even dream of an SEC championship and the big dance. Hopefully very soon.Zackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10880181291039076547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511520355769452911.post-46899131165768541322014-01-08T07:01:00.002-08:002014-01-08T07:01:32.491-08:00National Title Review: All there is to say...<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/-EjuEc2QBw8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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You guys are my favorite Auburn team ever. You captured the attention of the whole country, not just college football. Looking forward to the future...War Eagle Forever.Zackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10880181291039076547noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511520355769452911.post-68095688969590631772014-01-06T04:28:00.001-08:002014-01-06T04:28:34.819-08:00The Title Preview-They Haven't Seen the Likes of Us<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNPEXLoSeb01jYrs019Q9iSaHeWovKbnyhTwgTdiQDOLkiP6OpeV0YbetNMdWjNiSQi4ORJ9aYFG6KzWc92Gfl0Gjxt2kiw2WXmJ65U3iUHCL4_MquKP-E8mOYvhWQ3i92UHOZxxW1EBWp/s1600/nick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNPEXLoSeb01jYrs019Q9iSaHeWovKbnyhTwgTdiQDOLkiP6OpeV0YbetNMdWjNiSQi4ORJ9aYFG6KzWc92Gfl0Gjxt2kiw2WXmJ65U3iUHCL4_MquKP-E8mOYvhWQ3i92UHOZxxW1EBWp/s320/nick.jpg" /></a></div><i>Has FSU seen anything like Nick Marshall?</i><br />
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Let me first say for the record, I am utterly shocked that I am writing a preview for the National Championship game. Back in August, I was thinking Outback Bowl or Chick Fil A would be a huge step for this program.<br />
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We ended last season in the doldrums. Forget that, worse than doldrums. Auburn was the lower 9th Ward post Katrina. We, I, thought that the damage done by the end of the Chizik administration would not be reversed for at least three years.<br />
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Enter Gus Malzahn. He was the architect behind the 2010 National Title. He was the one who went to Gene Chizik after the 2010 Clemson game and told him to turn Cam loose. Gus is a star. Gus is changing college football. Think I'm wrong? Did you happen to catch Oklahoma go hurry up several times in the Sugar Bowl? By the end of the game Bammers were so frustrated that Bammer moms were diving from the upper deck onto to Sooner fans.<br />
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Malzahn does not like being called a genius, but in terms of college football, he is Einstein. He is Copernicus. He is Sir Isaac Newton. <br />
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College football is forever changed by one season with Gus Malzahn as a head coach. His offense has turned college football on its ear. <br />
<br />
Whether you call this a team of destiny or a team of <a href="http://www.thewareaglereader.com/2013/12/team-of-density/#.Usqgf7CA1Fo">density</a> (I miss the Joe Cribbs Car Wash) this is the most amazing Auburn football team we have ever seen. <br />
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Our old friend Rob calls this <a href="http://auburn.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1594576">Buster Douglas vs Iron Mike Tyson </a>(I miss Rob on this blog). He is not far off. Again we see very few people outside of the Loveliest Village that give Auburn a shot. We have read this novel before. First back in October at College Station. Later with back to back road trips to Fayetteville and Knoxville. Then at home against Georgia. Then two weeks later against the mighty Tide. Finally in Atlanta against Missouri. Auburn has been counted out time and again. Time and again Auburn has proven pundits to be wrong. <br />
<br />
Auburn will win tomorrow. Florida State hasn't seen the likes of us. They have made a living off of the Wake Forests and Syracuses of the ACC world. Auburn has wins against the crème of the SEC. Florida State biggest win came against a team that lost by 14 points to an SEC East also-ran. <br />
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Still, Auburn is currently a 10 point dog. Will Vegas ever learn?<br />
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Auburn will win tomorrow. Florida State will not be able to handle Tre and Nick. Sammie and C.J. Dee Ford will solidify his NFL stock. Carl Lawson will become a household name.<br />
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Auburn may be a team of destiny. They are most definitely a team of density. They are everything that is Auburn. They are the eternal underdog. They are college football's forgotten. <br />
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This team is the reason why I love sports. They are the Boston Red Sox to the Crimson Tide's Yankees. They do the impossible. They win when no rational person gives them a chance.<br />
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Auburn will win. <br />
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One more guys, come on.<br />
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<b>Auburn</b> 34<br />
Seminoles 27Zackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10880181291039076547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511520355769452911.post-29955786919228585292013-12-06T07:13:00.000-08:002013-12-06T07:13:34.276-08:00SEC Championship Preview-Stranger Danger<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-je35wI22nZ1dw_lzF08Hhq0Es0Ul9hWDfAukUXU7cR-7TIK5gYvaSdvdPS8ln1pQJqObD-nRjyZBkqS8M8ykfAq4HfWbl5E4h99yB3U7f-j7_bLA5pKQXFvAllB2t1QmUYQw0VF6mU3z/s1600/danger-area.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-je35wI22nZ1dw_lzF08Hhq0Es0Ul9hWDfAukUXU7cR-7TIK5gYvaSdvdPS8ln1pQJqObD-nRjyZBkqS8M8ykfAq4HfWbl5E4h99yB3U7f-j7_bLA5pKQXFvAllB2t1QmUYQw0VF6mU3z/s640/danger-area.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Auburn will play a total stranger for the SEC championship tomorrow. <br />
<br />
Raise your hand if you thought Auburn would be playing for an SEC Championship at the beginning of the 2013 season. If you put your hand up, you're either a delusional optimist or a liar.<br />
<br />
Missouri is in a similar boat as Auburn. They won 5 games last season, with only 1 SEC win in 2012 over a hapless Tennessee. If you are having a hard time gauging how good the Tigers really are, let me clear it up for ya, the Missouri Tigers are 11-1. Their resume is every bit as impressive as Auburn's.<br />
<br />
A look into those wins is telling. They beat Georgia on the road after only a week after the Dogs were decimated with injuries. They manhandled Florida in a similar fashion. The dominated scrappy Vanderbilt on the road, as well as Tennessee at home. I for one was shocked at the relative ease in which they took care of Ole Miss in Oxford. And to finish it off they bested Johnny Football last week at home.<br />
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The only loss came in overtime to South Carolina. Missou led that game by 17 points, before Conner Shaw entered and led the Gamecocks to an amazing 4th quarter comeback.<br />
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So make no mistake, these guys we will line up against are good. The have a senior quarterback who has giants to throw to. The have a salty front four which is likely as good or better than the group Auburn beat last Saturday. They can score points and play defense. <br />
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What I am saying is Auburn better bring there A game to this one. And that has me concerned a little bit.<br />
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For the whole week Auburn has been the media darling (Pete Thamel excluded). While Auburn made every national news show replaying the miraculous finish in the Iron Bowl and national pundits debated if Auburn should jump unbeaten Ohio State, Missouri sat brooding in Columbia waiting for their own opportunity. My guess is they feel a little under-appreciated.<br />
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They will be looking to show the whole college football world they are every bit as deserving as Auburn as to being in the discussion for a national title. <br />
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In other words, get ready for another war.<br />
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I still think Auburn's run game is good enough to get it done. When we do pass, protecting against that very good defensive line will be a chore.<br />
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Defensively Auburn has to contain Franklin and stop the run game of Missouri. The secondary must be ready for a battle with big athletic receivers. Green-Beckham is the best pro prospect at receiver since Larry Fitzgerald. <br />
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And if and when we win this game, Auburn will be in the discussion for the BCS title, though I doubt it happens unless Ohio State loses (which is a distinct possibility). At this point, you just have to hope Auburn wins the SEC and let the chips fall where they may.<br />
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Here's hoping for one more week of magic in 2013.<br />
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<b>Auburn</b>-38<br />
School where all the sleazy sports Jornalists come from 35Zackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10880181291039076547noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511520355769452911.post-15054009913086984052013-12-03T12:25:00.002-08:002013-12-03T12:25:32.222-08:00Bama Review: Legend<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm9_vim6h86r4CFc0y5PR2WQqKJecG2kQVHbkqqI7UbxF43j6Fqj-fiQJlq-tZi0r9jv4zMGlMafWuCGehZiQEzU55Vr7skrS1nLQsFzzfICTGVRsDM0lfxtGuPYNErlUKW7kZ2NuDmWRv/s1600/davis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm9_vim6h86r4CFc0y5PR2WQqKJecG2kQVHbkqqI7UbxF43j6Fqj-fiQJlq-tZi0r9jv4zMGlMafWuCGehZiQEzU55Vr7skrS1nLQsFzzfICTGVRsDM0lfxtGuPYNErlUKW7kZ2NuDmWRv/s640/davis.jpg" /></a></div><i>Pure Magic.</i><br />
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Chris Davis was an afterthought in the recruiting process in 2010. He was a three star "athlete". Chris is one of those diamonds in the rough that former Auburn coach Phillip Lolley finds from time to time. He hails from Woodlawn, a forgotten burrough of Birmingham. Their little town there doesn't have much. They share a football stadium with half a dozen other Birmingham schools on the east side of town. <br />
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From that little neighborhood to Auburn and Tuscaloosa, and everywhere else in the world of college football, Chris Davis's name is now legend. You will never forget where you were that night. I won't. My ticket stub from section 42 will be framed soon. <br />
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I try not to get too emotionally invested these days. I like to write about it, for sure. But 2011 and 2012 soured me. Not that I am a fairweather fan or anything, but the relentless dogging of Auburn football by the Thayer Evans and Selena Roberts of the world made me feel like I couldn't even enjoy Auburn's prosperity. That and Danny Sheridan's imaginary bagman.<br />
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Then there is the indisputable fact that Auburn will break your heart. She's broken mine more times than I can count. But I found myself misty eyed after the Marshall to Coates TD. I found tears rolling down my cheeks when I looked out onto Jordan Hare to see a sea of orange and blue clad fans storm the field after Chris Davis became a legend. It was one of those moments in sports that we long for that almost never happen. <br />
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And then it happened. And it is seared into your memory forever. And you are emotionally invested again. Just like that she has pulled you back in.<br />
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The game was everything a sports fan could ever want in terms of high drama. Alabama punched and punched and knocked Auburn down. Time and time again Auburn got back up. <br />
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Then the drive to tie the game. A drive with all running plays, save one. Marshall is not a passer. Surely that is what two Bama defensive backs must have thought as a wobbly pass found its way between them into the waiting arms of Sammie Coates. Sammy turned and ran with nothing but green grass ahead. At that moment I knew we would win. These guys are magic.<br />
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But I figured, like the rest of the 87,000 and changed inside Jordan-hare, that we would win in overtime. Auburn had solved the riddle of Alabama's defense, and they would have to go into the extra frame without a placekicker they trusted. I liked our chances to be sure.<br />
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But overtime never came, and for a brief moment when the review booth gave the Tide just one more second, I thought our hearts would be broken again. One second was all they needed to do something. One second.<br />
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That one second on the clock allowed Nick Saban to run out a placekicker that had not seen the field in the Iron Bowl. He would try a field goal of 57 yards. Oh Nick, pride and arrogance is a weakness. You learned that Saturday night. A guy who is arrogant enough to go for it on fourth and 1 instead of kicking a chip shot field goal to go up ten is surely arrogant enough to think his freshman kicker can make a 57 yarder.<br />
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As that one second ticked to 0:00 the ball fluttered short and to the right. Chris Davis was waiting.<br />
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Before the kick a lady behind me, probably in her 60's asked what number 11 was doing standing in the endzone. I leaned back and said he can return it like a kickoff if it is short. <br />
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Chris started right then veered left. And a wall formed. And no one in white was even close. Alabama's holder made an attempt to reach him at the 45, but instead of preventing history, history ran right by.<br />
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Chris ran right to us is section 42. He was mauled by teammates right in front of us. Two arms wrapped around my neck and that 60 something year old woman was kissing me on the cheek, right where that tear was rolling down. I guess I had answered her question.<br />
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It was bedlam in the stadium. I've never been in a mosh pit but I would imagine that is what it would be like. Then the fireworks. Then I said to the guy next to me "Boy there's a lot of media on the field." <br />
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"Are you crazy man? Those are students. Get your phone out and take pictures!!"<br />
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I got my phone out and did a video. Then my battery died. Then I stood and watched. For several minutes I stood there and watched. I could not (and still cannot) comprehend what I saw. <br />
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What crazy wonderful drug had I been given? It was euphoric. It was unreal.<br />
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It was 2013 Auburn football. And I will never forget it. <br />
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Zackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10880181291039076547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511520355769452911.post-13369683998648849152013-11-29T15:37:00.001-08:002013-11-29T15:37:34.853-08:00The Bama Preview: Auburn: America's Team <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs0VeTV2UXWrL66G_Ob22PiMMzDIBAM07kwpr7OsQY7jecA9a7JGH0CvE7b-tkBi2T99-OqoD0jzHlYFmcWKOlZZLBr2UFZLv3YS4b5vpaT8-KpTQwuaCIsk6BgyPhte7QML771PA6m_7u/s1600/Auburn+USA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs0VeTV2UXWrL66G_Ob22PiMMzDIBAM07kwpr7OsQY7jecA9a7JGH0CvE7b-tkBi2T99-OqoD0jzHlYFmcWKOlZZLBr2UFZLv3YS4b5vpaT8-KpTQwuaCIsk6BgyPhte7QML771PA6m_7u/s640/Auburn+USA.jpg" /></a></div><i>If Auburn loses, the terrorists win.</i><br />
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The eyes of the nation will be on Jordan Hare in less than 24 hours. Most of those, I would argue a vast majority, will be pulling hard for the orange and blue.<br />
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The nation is sick of Bama. Tired of Nick Saban and his condescending tongue-lashings. Sick of what even the man's wife says are spoiled rotten fans.<br />
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Yes. Forget about the Cowboys, Auburn is America's team this weekend. No one wants to see the evil empire play for a third straight national title. No one wants to see that forced evil smile on Nick Saban's face holding up another crystal football. No one wants to hear Brent Musberger verbally undress AJ McCarron's girlfriend on live TV.<br />
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The time has come for the the Tide to lose. Democrat or Republican, Red State, Blue state, it does not matter. They all say War eagle this weekend. <br />
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How does Auburn do it? The same formula holds true. Run the damn ball. Play action. Trick em. Out flank em. Be fast. Hit hard. The stadium will be jacked...and loud. <br />
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Oh will it be loud. <br />
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Defensively, Auburn must get to McCarron. Hit him. Rattle the cockiness right out of him. Dee Ford needs to know what his brand of cologne is by the time this thing is over. <br />
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Hit Yeldon. Hit him hard. Make him rue the day he flipped his commitment two years ago. Stir it up. Play with swagger. Bama does not believe Auburn is back. We have had to hear it on talk radio for two weeks. Serve. Them. Notice.<br />
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They will know quickly come tomorrow, that we are back. <br />
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It might have happened in the blink of an eye, but here we are. The Tide has to go through Auburn now to get to Atlanta. In our house. They are nervous as hell about November 30th at 2:30 PM, take that to the bank.<br />
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Win this game. Defy all odds. Defy every football pundit. <br />
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Win for Auburn. The nation is behind you.<br />
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War Eagle forever.<br />
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<b>Auburn 35</b><br />
Bama 30Zackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10880181291039076547noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511520355769452911.post-64181800919625374852013-11-25T08:47:00.003-08:002013-11-25T08:47:59.637-08:00Iron Bowl Week-People Get Ready<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYKbGC8aOcydYX1zhzIRLUTY19cbF-Fqizbpw2z5v2CceGPw4oipdDSC8Pgel7toFjyiaRai65O5RvJZHU4Mn8ttih472LF5uXhbb48qtdmrrvDHQBNDROStVHhhG1c_yhrFRcoImrnh3k/s1600/brace+yourselves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYKbGC8aOcydYX1zhzIRLUTY19cbF-Fqizbpw2z5v2CceGPw4oipdDSC8Pgel7toFjyiaRai65O5RvJZHU4Mn8ttih472LF5uXhbb48qtdmrrvDHQBNDROStVHhhG1c_yhrFRcoImrnh3k/s400/brace+yourselves.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Iron Bowl week is upon us, and my oh my, how crazy a week it will be. And after a weekend where Baylor goes down in a flaming heap and Oregon loses big, the stage is set for a BCS championship elimination game...maybe.<br />
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Alabama can punch a ticket to a 3rd straight title game with a win over Auburn and a surprisingly stout Missouri, though neither is predestined. Auburn will most likely need some help to get there. Even with a win over Alabama and Missouri, Auburn will still need either Ohio State or Florida State to lose to get in to the national championship game.<br />
<br />
The fact that I wrote that last paragraph at all tells you that win or lose come Saturday, Auburn has risen meteorically from the depths of despair in 2012.<br />
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The job Gus Malzahn and his staff have done since taking over the reigns last January has been simply astounding. In just a few short months, the attitude and psyche changed 180 degrees. WE figured he would have an easier time of it since he recruited most of these players. But 10-1 going into the Iron Bowl? I would've told you I had a better chance of walking on the moon.<br />
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No doubt, this weekend will be crazy. I will be down there in Auburn, tickets in hand to witness what will hopefully be one of those amazing Auburn Iron Bowl wins like 1989 or 1993. I am giddy.<br />
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Preview coming later this week. And if you are in Birmingham, just turn off the sports talk radio full of Bammer homers.<br />
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War Eagle!Zackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10880181291039076547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511520355769452911.post-14708743214560541062013-11-19T11:16:00.001-08:002013-11-19T11:16:05.632-08:00Georgia Review-That. Just. Happened.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6d6dIoHwT_iHYU3uDywC_DgG5h-pFYOh3yAB0fXVZ8OO30RBFShYRqVYt7savag429AjcE5g5HB5nj2_IqbiEl0qr2cTlPdnYuESAhiuTqhfmwqHpPkvS4r5CmDkQcNS9uBvZhZ6rBb8h/s1600/Ricardo.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6d6dIoHwT_iHYU3uDywC_DgG5h-pFYOh3yAB0fXVZ8OO30RBFShYRqVYt7savag429AjcE5g5HB5nj2_IqbiEl0qr2cTlPdnYuESAhiuTqhfmwqHpPkvS4r5CmDkQcNS9uBvZhZ6rBb8h/s400/Ricardo.jpeg" /></a></div><i>To Err is human, to Barn hard is divine.</i><br />
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<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/g_8tl0Q2pQg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
<i>It's Okay to watch this over and over again. You can trust me. I'm an optometrist.</i><br />
<br />
To paraphrase myself before during and after the aptly named "Prayer in Jordan Hare". It went something like: Why the hell is he just throwing it up for...Oh my God, Oh My God. Whoooohoooooo!!!!!! I then proceeded to mumble that last part of the phrase for twelve hours. <br />
<br />
I couldn't eat. I didn't sleep. I got home and watched the replay. This was after burning up my iphone battery on the gifs and video of everything associated with Marshall to Lewis. <br />
<br />
Not lost upon me in all the hoopla is how much Auburn dominated that game for three quarters, only to nearly squander it away. If not for the catch, it really could have been one of the most epic of meltdowns ever to occur for Auburn. <br />
<br />
I was witness to one of those in 1996, when Terry Bowden's Tigers blew a 21 point lead to a rudderless Georgia team, losing a five overtime game. It took me a while to get over the hangover from that one. <br />
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I wonder how long it takes the Georgia faithful to get over this one.<br />
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Auburn played three complete dominant quarters of football against a Georgia team that was close to its early season self. Auburn learned a valuable lesson: you better play all four. Especially against a quarterback as gutsy and as good as Aaron Murray. Yeah, I have given him grief about Nick Fairley and will probably give him more about Dee Ford, but he is a great player, and Georgia will miss that guy next year.<br />
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This will be one people talk about for 50 years. The dominant Auburn in the first three quarters. The resillient Georgia in the 4th. And one catch that probably should have never happened, but did. <br />
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In 11 days, Auburn plays Alabama for all the marbles. But fans, take just a little longer to savor this win. <br />
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Like this...<br />
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<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/4C2R8xA3EWs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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And this...<br />
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<iframe src="http://new.livestream.com/accounts/338131/events/2550293/videos/35106768/player?autoPlay=false&height=360&mute=false&width=640" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe><br />
<br />
Our old blogger buddy Rob's reaction is flat out priceless in this one. Pretty much how every Auburn person reacted.<br />
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10-1. One more guys. Come on.<br />
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Zackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10880181291039076547noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511520355769452911.post-49185851987315839242013-11-14T11:47:00.001-08:002013-11-14T11:47:48.662-08:00The Georgia Preview-Raising the Stakes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0nvDpkoYwLBrTCdAYkS9923lkwQ7TKINOTN4c0laLuHlPOIpu4PpIXq-PfNGQnfXaqGvh7PsyNzkCHBkT-UEkz6s6oHkswIturXFUwMxsigpr-AYfxSCH5CnCmK4Jw9aHsefZdmPCmEMM/s1600/fairley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0nvDpkoYwLBrTCdAYkS9923lkwQ7TKINOTN4c0laLuHlPOIpu4PpIXq-PfNGQnfXaqGvh7PsyNzkCHBkT-UEkz6s6oHkswIturXFUwMxsigpr-AYfxSCH5CnCmK4Jw9aHsefZdmPCmEMM/s400/fairley.jpg" /></a></div><i>Aaron Murray still cries at night.</i><br />
<br />
Let's take a trip in the way-back machine to 2010. Auburn fell behind two touchdowns to Georgia and Aaron Murray, only to come roaring back to win in a laugher 49-31. One of the subplots from the game was Nick Fairley basically trying to end the existence of Aaron. Yes, Nick hit him late once, drawing a 15 yard penalty. The rest of his hits were legal, though hard hitting. Nick was doing his job that night and boy did he do it well.<br />
<br />
To this day the Georgia faithful still complain about Nick. He's in the league now, wreaking havoc on NFL signal callers, and is considered Mr. Clean next to his comrade Donkey Kong Su (which is what I call him since I am too lazy right now to look up how to spell the guys name.<br />
<br />
Odds are good that if Auburn beats Georgia Saturday, the Georgia faithful will whine like my 3 year old after I take the Ipad away. It's just their nature. For some reason they think they have an elite program. I think they have the right to feel like they should have an elite program (even though they don't). They are the only game in town (sorry ramblin wreck) in a state that is loaded with talent. Problem is they lose out on a lot of this talent to Auburn. Think about Cam Newton, Takeo Spikes, and Ronnie Brown, just to name a few. Georgia is a notch below Auburn historically, and I think that drives them nuts.<br />
<br />
The game this weekend shows how high the stakes have been raised for Auburn. A win here and all of a sudden the Iron Bowl becomes epic. An Iron Bowl where the winner takes all. <br />
<br />
But let's look at the task in front of us. Georgia will come to town with something to prove. They are healthier than they have been in weeks so they feel like they have a good shot at a win on the plains. Todd Gurley is back in the backfield, and he will make a difference, even at 80%. Murray is Murray. He plays well against Auburn, even though he still wets the bed thinking about Nick Fairley.<br />
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Georgia's defense will be the X factor in this. Can they stop Auburn's running game? Not likely, but they can slow it down and make Auburn throw. I have heard pundits all week like "expert" Tom Luginbill say that Auburn doesn't throw because they are deficient in that area. I wouldn't call it deficient. I would call it smart football. Run it till they stop it. That is football. ALways has been. It doesn't matter what the formation is. Nobody has come close to stopping Auburn's running game recently.<br />
<br />
Auburn has been strategic all year in their offensive scheme. They have pretty much run it at will on everybody since the second half of the LSU game. Marshall has gotten better with accuracy, though he is far from polished. I also think he is better rolling out and throwing. Standing in the pocket, he looks like he babies throws, almost like he is thinking too much. On rollouts or scrambles, he seems to be much more accurate. It reminds me a lot of Auburn coach Dameyune Craig, who could roll out and chuck it 65 yards on a dime.<br />
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My guess is Auburn gets Nick outside the pocket to throw or run this weekend. I also think he will have to throw more for Auburn to win. Georgia is good up front, and they will challenge Auburn's tough offensive line. Look for the Dogs to score points, but they fade in the 4th.<br />
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In the end, it will come down to running the ball and stopping the run. Whomever does that the best, wins this game.<br />
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<b>Auburn 41</b><br />
Leg Humpers 31Zackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10880181291039076547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511520355769452911.post-15161973118957849912013-11-13T12:12:00.002-08:002013-11-13T12:12:34.453-08:00Threatdown Week 11<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGUxx5hjJxj0WafJOv4_NIe0JMcfGHhSGSU1_KN7BBdH-4c1Xcf4xf8pOIS1INMJ0cB0G_P5Vem_6tGaHOMVff299QDe8nFkDKJ1Gxz6_KDlZBqUXF6mZufP9_z_lamy9lbPUdWF7xJJK0/s1600/threatdown.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGUxx5hjJxj0WafJOv4_NIe0JMcfGHhSGSU1_KN7BBdH-4c1Xcf4xf8pOIS1INMJ0cB0G_P5Vem_6tGaHOMVff299QDe8nFkDKJ1Gxz6_KDlZBqUXF6mZufP9_z_lamy9lbPUdWF7xJJK0/s320/threatdown.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<i>And then there were two.</i><br />
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<b>Georgia</b> Last week-Sleepwalked through the first half, but woke up in time to whip a bad APp State team 45-6. The final score might look impressive, but this is not your typical FCS "scare the pants off of a D1" team that we have come to expect out of the boys from Boone. Georgia is getting healthier, but I would say Gurley is only about 75-80%. Bennet is back but still banged up, and the rest of the UGA walking wounded are still questionable. All of that still doesn't change the fact that teams score lots of points on Georgia. They are better against the run than teams we have played recently, so we may have to throw the ball about 12 times to win. <i>Threatdown Level</i>...Stable and medium.<br />
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<b>Bama</b> Last week Poured in on in the end beating LSU 38-17. This game was tied in the 3rd quarter. Then LSU ran out of gas. ANd after having watched the Tigers several times this year, they just don't look well-conditioned to me. Auburn, Ole Miss, and Alabama all ran roughshod over them in the 4th quarter. But give the Tide credit, they are well conditioned, so I guess they do more than sign with agents in the weight room. <i>Threatdown Level</i>...Maxed Out.<br />
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Amen corner is upon us, and at the beginning of the season, if you told me I would be disappointed going 1-1 here, I would have had you committed. No doubt about it, the friendly confines of Jordan-Hare will be rockin' come Saturday afternoon. I can't wait to see it.Zackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10880181291039076547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511520355769452911.post-84390084852174912542013-11-12T14:40:00.000-08:002013-11-12T14:40:25.139-08:00Tennessee Review-Passes? We don't need no stinking passes.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqA3UgnGKGUiT9CRLieA_SPUOePMA-YCpHkYQGly7cH-umTij7TQ9YSlPOOD-3w3EmhNaWi5soJngvDK4S-L5qlccrWaXJvRuMJzGhcM9QnWe7L_FIEN_1H7NwWfjbccPuqlbn4OQ9mnQO/s1600/Nick+Tenn.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqA3UgnGKGUiT9CRLieA_SPUOePMA-YCpHkYQGly7cH-umTij7TQ9YSlPOOD-3w3EmhNaWi5soJngvDK4S-L5qlccrWaXJvRuMJzGhcM9QnWe7L_FIEN_1H7NwWfjbccPuqlbn4OQ9mnQO/s400/Nick+Tenn.jpeg" /></a></div><i>Runnin' down a dream</i><br />
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Auburn beat Tennessee like a drum last Saturday. Auburn threw exactly 7 passes. Seven.<br />
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Auburn could have thrown zero passes and the result would have looked very similar, because Tennessee's hapless defense had no answer to the two play drive.<br />
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Needless to say Auburn's power running offense is shockingly good. I heard a Bama fan Saturday night say that Auburn's too one dimensional to beat Bama. What he, and the rest of the Mullets, don't comprehend is that not being able to throw and choosing not to throw are too entirely different animals. Why throw on a team that can't stop the run even with putting 8 and 9 in the box? Alabama will likely have to do the same thing. Do I think Bama can stop Auburn's run game with 8 and 9 in the box? I do. Do I think Auburn will exploit it if they try? You can bet your ass.<br />
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This Auburn team is on a mission to erase all doubt in everyone's mind, including their own, about 2012. Forget about it. It was a fluke brought on by poor coaching. Any doubt after two curb stomping road wins should be gone about this Auburn team being for real.<br />
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Yet Auburn opens as a 3 point favorite against Georgia. Georgia, who barely escaped with their lives against the same Tennessee team Auburn just took to the woodshed. Georgia who squeaked by hapless Florida. To that I say-Keep disrespecting Auburn. Be my guest.<br />
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Auburn will beat Georgia. Mark my words. Last Saturday put to rest any doubt in my mind. They believe again, therefore I believe again. My guess is the rest of college football will too. Very soon.<br />
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I haven't seen a resurrection like this since about 33 A.D.<br />
<br />
Other thoughts:<br />
<br />
-Auburn's defense still shows a wart or two, until the opponent gets inside the 30. Then the 85 Bears show up. <br />
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-Chris Davis needs a nickname. Like the honey grizzley or something. He would destroy a honey badger. He doesn't care.<br />
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-Auburn has the best offensive line in the SEC. And they'll all be back next year.<br />
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-Auburn has the best trio of running backs in the SEC. They too will all be back next year.<br />
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-I like the wacky Butch Jones at Tennessee. He seems like a more intelligent version of Houston Nutt. He is doing well on the recruiting trail, and he needs to. This team has zero team speed.<br />
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War Eagle everybody. It is time to finish this thing out. Auburn fans bring your lungs to Jordan Hare this Saturday. Zackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10880181291039076547noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511520355769452911.post-17150623403029764952013-11-08T10:12:00.000-08:002013-11-08T10:12:33.572-08:00Tennessee Preview-I hate Rockytop<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU5aSOOixzXIjEKJwCE-483DMxLFmZdpWArWGhOksppDiUM5NcoV9WwEUAlG12WKro7rXaQCmlUJFQYX-dD7rgBaRKk-7yzjRxKWwEseONJsikqsV43XDmh-BGYVwyrqbkbUz-bJDxwG2l/s1600/Tennessee-Fans-2001-SEC-Championship.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU5aSOOixzXIjEKJwCE-483DMxLFmZdpWArWGhOksppDiUM5NcoV9WwEUAlG12WKro7rXaQCmlUJFQYX-dD7rgBaRKk-7yzjRxKWwEseONJsikqsV43XDmh-BGYVwyrqbkbUz-bJDxwG2l/s400/Tennessee-Fans-2001-SEC-Championship.jpg" /></a> <i>Who knew UT was so liberal and accepting of trans-gendered couples?</i><br />
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I have in-laws that live in Knoxville. I like my in-laws, save for the fact that I have to go to Knoxville Tennessee to see them. To the Auburn fans that are making the trip up this weekend, it sucks. Like a big orange. It is the worst stadium I have ever set foot in as it is basically an 87000 seat stadium with the seat markers painted close enough together to make it hold 20000 more people than it should. The upper deck feels like you are looking straight down. You also feel like you could fall to your death at any moment. <br />
<br />
Other than my in-laws and the few dirty hippie grad student that we met, the people there are...there is no other way to say it, white trash. I tell people Knoxville is where you take a white supremacist to prove them wrong. You can't throw a Psedofed without witting a methhead. I'm talking <i>Hills Have Eyes</i> creepy people <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmLWA0OAMThZwnRPiI0MDiIIRoY26QTLH7IUjwnh5XIYpphXFerlLmumurKWq9kxMV3xWzLxzR2W6ECI9j6Qe0Fw2CzFx7YnpJheAE5n0RU5xlIx06TGWFO7VgYAZMd3TKIVTMaq_1ABtO/s1600/hills+have+eyes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmLWA0OAMThZwnRPiI0MDiIIRoY26QTLH7IUjwnh5XIYpphXFerlLmumurKWq9kxMV3xWzLxzR2W6ECI9j6Qe0Fw2CzFx7YnpJheAE5n0RU5xlIx06TGWFO7VgYAZMd3TKIVTMaq_1ABtO/s640/hills+have+eyes.jpg" /></a></div><i>About what you'll see in South Knoxville</i><br />
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As far as this game goes, it has me nervous. Sure, the Vols got run out of the stadium by Missouri last week, but they have played much better at home this season, with a win over South Carolina and could have been win over Georgia. They also are better after playing lousy the week before. They played lousy last week before and the week before that against Bama, so are they due to step up and play better?<br />
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Butch Jones is a pretty good coach, no matter how outlandish he can be. I have a feeling they Rocky Tops will be ready for Auburn. The crowd will be important as well, but it is an 11 AM game, so that should help the visiting Tigers. Win here, and Auburn gets to play for the SEC West crown within the friendly confines in their final two home games.<br />
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But again, this game is more about Auburn than Tennessee. Auburn has been to tough places on the road already and won. This team runs the ball as well as any Auburn team since the mid 80's. Teams that can run the ball on the road tend to win games as long as they do not turn it over. I also get the feeling the defense will want to come out and play a little better than they did last week as well. COmbine those factors with a true freshman QB for the Vols and that is a recipe for victory on Rocky Top.<br />
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<b>Auburn</b> 31<br />
Kissing Cousins 20Zackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10880181291039076547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511520355769452911.post-54836664099257080342013-11-07T10:58:00.002-08:002013-11-07T10:58:39.766-08:00Week 10 Threatdown<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmt3yIecrBTC-pH0-BFLyi96Yhag1v6yOCAERZjvpKZilxPQdddlosE53NKPU-LKfZ6Zh0TbM-7KIsLG2kAyelDqkK6aDPf5WuN5DxwCawYnhHl2x5E3tuG-RbtOlvZHDcJ73VI2feFU5O/s1600/threatdown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmt3yIecrBTC-pH0-BFLyi96Yhag1v6yOCAERZjvpKZilxPQdddlosE53NKPU-LKfZ6Zh0TbM-7KIsLG2kAyelDqkK6aDPf5WuN5DxwCawYnhHl2x5E3tuG-RbtOlvZHDcJ73VI2feFU5O/s400/threatdown.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Amen corner started off with a blowout. Let's see if we can keep it going...<br />
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<b>Tennessee</b> Last week- Blown out by Missouri 31-3. I honestly don't know what to make of Tennessee. They looked hapless on the road last Saturday night, but have looked good at home against teams who were due for a letdown. Can they catch AU looking ahead with two big rivalry games coming up? I think Auburn's letdown was last week. Still, <i>Threatdown Level</i>...Up.<br />
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<b>Georgia</b> Last Week-Escaped with a win over Florida 23-20. Georgia looked better for a half against a downright bad offensive Florida team. Getting Gurley back helps, but he looked totally out of game shape after weeks on the shelf. With all the players getting healthy for UGA, we will say <i>Threatdown level</i>...up.<br />
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<b>Bama</b> Last week-BYE. Saban would consider leaving if the correct pressure were to occur. Consider Gus Malzahn the vice-grip. <i>Threatdown Level</i>...Terminal velocity.<br />
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This weekend will be a huge test for Auburn, and I have a pretty big concern about this being a lookahead. More on that tomorrow...Zackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10880181291039076547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511520355769452911.post-30634852961947486342013-11-05T12:07:00.001-08:002013-11-05T12:07:44.378-08:00Arkansas Review-Real. American. Football.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2egzs3bfkZEB_iBVLauOkX03pkZOwYNIR7pKzCJcvZENfZ1oE1GL1LrlPcbl9EQZUZMtr2Q5-hrRfRhaZyuF-noT3rHirdPqV4eOlTBdYI5nsClTKbhUq5GZ1kF2mGvwwU_yLu8brJ-wb/s1600/Real+American+Football..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2egzs3bfkZEB_iBVLauOkX03pkZOwYNIR7pKzCJcvZENfZ1oE1GL1LrlPcbl9EQZUZMtr2Q5-hrRfRhaZyuF-noT3rHirdPqV4eOlTBdYI5nsClTKbhUq5GZ1kF2mGvwwU_yLu8brJ-wb/s400/Real+American+Football..jpg" /></a></div><i>"We just threw 9 passes and kicked your ass. How's that for real American football?"<b>--What I wish Gus would have said</b></i><br />
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So ho hum, Auburn just blew out an SEC opponent on the road. By 18 points. The stadium was a ghost town by the 10 minute mark in the forth quarter. <br />
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<i>And Auburn did not even play well.</i><br />
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Yeah. I said it. That was as bad as we have played since the first half of the LSU game. <br />
<br />
This was a let down game. Ask anyone who has ever dressed for Auburn who played a game at Arkansas will tell you it is a place to have a let down. And again, this game was never in doubt. <br />
<br />
Other random thought:<br />
<br />
-Auburn threw 9 freakin' passes in this game. Somewhere a wishbone coach from the late 70's is smiling. The long one to Sammie Coates was a thing of beauty on the back shoulder. I have no idea if it was intentional or if Nick's sore shoulder made that happen.<br />
<br />
-Defense must be better against the run. Arkansas ran right at Auburn and had success. Linebackers were not stellar in this one.<br />
<br />
-It really looked like Auburn ran about 4 plays in this game. I am sure that is not the case, but we didn't give very much for teams down the road to see.<br />
<br />
-Tre Mason is a workhorse. He is so patient waiting for a crease to develop. He has also emerged as a leader. I think that is why we are seeing less and less of CAP, though I personally would like to see both more.<br />
<br />
-My kingdom for a cornerback. Auburn is dangerously thin in this area right now. I don't know that it hurts us too much against Tennessee, but those guys need to be well before UGA and Bama.<br />
<br />
-Faking injury? Gus says no way. I believe him. It looked like Swain was limping back during the replay. Personally thought the ESPN guys made a big deal about it because the game was not close and uninteresting.<br />
<br />
-So that's why he wanted video ofr the swinging gate. Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery, Coach Bert. And while we're on the subject, is it real American football with all the swinging gates, halfback passes, and onside kicking? Just sayin'.<br />
<br />
I have heard some Auburn folks grumbling about this win. To them I say, lighten up. We were due a letdown, we had one, and we blew Arkansas away not playing our best game.<br />
<br />
Now on to Tennessee and the worst run defense in the SEC. (Hint: if they are worse than A&M, they are in trouble)<br />
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8-1. War Damn Eagle!Zackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10880181291039076547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511520355769452911.post-62598957184709729902013-11-01T07:32:00.002-07:002013-11-01T07:32:57.212-07:00Arkansas Preview-A Proud History of Jerkwad CoachesBert Biellema has been a burr in the Auburn fans saddle since arriving in Fayetteville. Most recently he complained about Auburn not including thier extra point formations in the game film. We might all think that is silly, but if you consider how many touchdowns Coach B is anticipating from Auburn, it makes sense for him to really study our 'swinging gate' P.A.T. formations.<br />
<br />
Yes, it was a dick move to question that publicly in a presser, and it was almost as irritating to suggest Auburn, Texas A&M, and most of the rest of the teams in college football do not play "real American football", but consider for a moment what it means to be an Arkansas head coach. I mean, you pretty much have to be a dick to coach there. Let's look at their recent history...<br />
<br />
<b>Lou Holtz</b> <br />
<br />
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Long Before he was a dick at ESPN, Lou Holtz was cheating up a storm at Arkansas trying to keep up with SMU. He has some sort of weird dislike of the Orange and Blue, so much so that he pretty much picks against them every chance he gets. <br />
<br />
<b>Houston Nut</b>t<br />
<br />
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<i>Gigetty.</i><br />
<br />
Houston Nutt is a crazy, lovable dick. I can't really despise him like some of the other Arkansas coaches in this list. Gus Malzahn can probably call him a dick because if Nutt would have let Malzahn run the offense at Arkansas in 2006 he could have been a title contender with McFadden and Felix Jones in the backfield. The Hogs were cruising until Nutt replaced Mitch Mustain, Malzahn's choice at QB, with Casey Dick. The Hogs predictably imploded after that. <br />
<br />
<b>Bobby Petrino</b> <br />
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The most hated dick of the bunch and likely the best coach as well. Petrino pulled the ultimate dick move by hiring his mistress and then taking her joyriding on his motorbike. He then crashed and burned, in every sense of the word. <br />
<br />
So Bielemma is just holding up the proud tradition of dick coaches at Arkansas. Unfortunately for him, his team is lousy, and when you are a dick, it pays to have a team that can back you up. He most certainly does not this year.<br />
<br />
Auburn shows him what American football is all about by running it down his throat, and stopping Arkansas's only hope in their run game. <br />
<br />
<b>Auburn</b> 45<br />
Shredded Pork 21<br />
<br />
<br />
Zackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10880181291039076547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511520355769452911.post-80999880080302997242013-10-31T08:14:00.001-07:002013-10-31T08:14:31.448-07:00Threatdown week 9<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhggrSKTx1sCIvfK09LZj3bI6GswwG9HUFcBcfm5gPoxLEoz6DrJkPRayqve79XymHrgbAr79vgAI65NOKe_6XFuXQuWEjgNNCuYjWG-3xkSdfWDfSimlUPsgRSF9ssB6i4_MiEPBZjBXX/s1600/threatdown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhggrSKTx1sCIvfK09LZj3bI6GswwG9HUFcBcfm5gPoxLEoz6DrJkPRayqve79XymHrgbAr79vgAI65NOKe_6XFuXQuWEjgNNCuYjWG-3xkSdfWDfSimlUPsgRSF9ssB6i4_MiEPBZjBXX/s640/threatdown.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<b>Only 1 month left in this amazing season. Let's hope it stays amazing...</b><br />
<br />
<b>Arkansas</b> Last week-BYE. Arkansas has had a week to prepare for Auburn. They needed it. Auburn is better than the Hogs, and that is enough to make me not believe in Fayetteville curses (this year at least). <i>Threatdown Level</i>...Stable, and low.<br />
<br />
<b>Tennessee</b>last week-Blown out by Bama 45-10. The Vols lost their starting QB to a thumb injury and will have a true Freshman starting the game this weekend against Missouri. They are tough at home, and that is still enough to spook me a little. That being said, they looked pretty bad against Bama. <i>Threatdown Level</i>...down a tick.<br />
<br />
<b>Georgia</b> Last week-Bye. Georgia gets a few players back after the bye week. They enter the cocktail party with Florida a shell of what they were when the season started. They should win Saturday if Gurley can run the ball at all. <i>Threatdown level</i>...stable.<br />
<br />
<b>Bama</b> Last week-Blew out Tennessee 45-10. Is Bama peaking at the right time or are they just benefiting from playing a soft October schedule? The way LSU is playing lately, Bama may not be tested until the Iron Bowl. <i>Threatdown level</i>...Up, and topped out.<br />
<br />
We'll preview Arkansas tomorrow and give some commentary on damn yankees.Zackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10880181291039076547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511520355769452911.post-64354177485254210952013-10-29T14:11:00.003-07:002013-10-29T14:11:45.337-07:00Florida Atlantic Review-Better Than Expected<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSP0R0XV_LqUqser94tKn-upvVO18HKHOnEga6-5z0_5_QV4vHnjuwVCERaC10ALejlu0JEjMTnhr_PXf7lf-RQwXlyVaOoTz2CFKptr5w7Msco7FgZW7Za5OQbBLzKKn-ULlnWvMzGXxL/s1600/Learn+to+slide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSP0R0XV_LqUqser94tKn-upvVO18HKHOnEga6-5z0_5_QV4vHnjuwVCERaC10ALejlu0JEjMTnhr_PXf7lf-RQwXlyVaOoTz2CFKptr5w7Msco7FgZW7Za5OQbBLzKKn-ULlnWvMzGXxL/s400/Learn+to+slide.jpg" /></a></div><i>Surgeon General's Warning: Taking on defensive backs can be hazardous to your health, Nick.</i><br />
<br />
Cupcake blowout-check. <br />
<br />
Auburn took care of business last Saturday night in JHS. Auburn could have sleep-walked through this game, but they decided to come out and score three touchdowns in the first 6 minutes, turning this game into a laugher from the get-go. The Auburn running game is becoming unstoppable, racking up over 400 yards on the ground alone.<br />
<br />
My only worry going forward is Nick Marshall being able to withstand the beating he is taking, though much of it Saturday night was self inflicted. Nick chose to take on a defensive back when he could have elected to go out of bounds, banging himself up needlessly in a game that was already out of hand. I know asking him to step out and avoid the hit is tough for him to do, but we need him 100% going forward.<br />
<br />
I must admit I was a little surprised that Auburn didn't take advantage a good opportunity to let Nick sit in the pocket and work on his passing game. Perhaps Auburn's coaching staff feels like they run the ball so well that the passing game is well and good enough. Still, there are teams down the schedule, especially one at the end, that will most certainly try and make Nick try to win the game with his arm.<br />
<br />
All in all, a very solid performance from the Tigers, and 7-1 complete with a top 10 ranking is sweet indeed. Later this week, we'll talk more about the rest of the schedule as well as the fast becoming most hated coach in the SEC. Zackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10880181291039076547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511520355769452911.post-24553071683240883482013-10-25T08:44:00.000-07:002013-10-25T08:44:02.816-07:00Florida Atlantic Preview-This Team Could Pull an Upset (not really)<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/z9JeyabU-Z0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> <i>Let's kill some owls.<br />
</i><br />
<br />
Florida Atlantic comes in with a 2-5 record with wins over UAB and South Florida. FAU could easily be 5-2 if they had not turned the ball over in three close losses. So they pose a significant threat to an Auburn team still trying to re-establish themselves as a national...<br />
<br />
I can't do it. I cannot sit here and tell you that I am the least bit concerned about Florida Atlantic. They are coached by a Pellini for goodness sake. The only wins for the Owls this year are against UAB (terrible) and South Florida (worse).<br />
<br />
In other years, maybe. But not this Auburn team. Not a team that shocked everyone in the college football world last Saturday. Gus Malzahn has done the best coaching job I can remember at Auburn, and he has a team on the precipice of a very special season. He won't allow a letdown.<br />
<br />
This staff has taken a group with a wounded psyche and turned them into a contender seemingly overnight. Auburn fans were cautiously optimistic about Auburn coming into the season. We figured we maybe could win 8 games if things fell our way. The rest of the college football world scoffed. Sports Illustrated picked Auburn last in the west.<br />
<br />
Somewhere in between the debacle that was 2012 and the start of 2013, college football forgot that Auburn is among the best programs in college football over the last 30 years. They forgot about the two undefeated teams in the last 10 years and 3 in the last 20. They forgot this team was talent-laden with untapped potential.<br />
<br />
Most importantly they forgot that it was Gus Malzahn who made 2010 happen, not Gene Chizik. I would argue today that Gus made 2010 happen in spite of Chizik. And if Gus made that happen in 2010 as a coordinator, why couldn't he turn things around as a head coach in 2013?<br />
<br />
Auburn won't lose Saturday. Auburn may not lose again this year. They are a team who grows more confident with every weekend. They do it with big boy power running and sheer toughness. They have something that they didn't have last year- guts, and they are not done putting the rest of college football on notice.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Auburn</b> 49<br />
Hootie Who? 14<br />
<br />
Zackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10880181291039076547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511520355769452911.post-30087057927178969992013-10-24T11:23:00.000-07:002013-10-24T11:23:00.105-07:00Week 8 Threatdown<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjafvTwp6pMZURIFRCTe0VCMhQaTMxD8_Dkpc0U5zPidDn6yaJJKwcTQpYEIzDeh3Dt-IReStE2lBDkk0g4o40PuTn5JcPoJbYzBrUBVDNRtYKFfPbCa9hnQ1W9z626XlNPcdrfwkU5Lmhk/s1600/threatdown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjafvTwp6pMZURIFRCTe0VCMhQaTMxD8_Dkpc0U5zPidDn6yaJJKwcTQpYEIzDeh3Dt-IReStE2lBDkk0g4o40PuTn5JcPoJbYzBrUBVDNRtYKFfPbCa9hnQ1W9z626XlNPcdrfwkU5Lmhk/s640/threatdown.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<i>It's week 8 already? Man football season flies by when your team is good.</i><br />
<br />
<b>Florida Atlantic</b> Last Week-Bye. FAU comes in at 2-5. Hopefully we see Mr Shakespeare again in this one. I loved all the Bard puns on twitter. Threatdown level...zero<br />
<br />
<b>Arkansas</b> Last week-Blown out by Bama 52-0. I don't know what to say about this Arkansas team. They have been outscored 134-17 in their last 3 SEC game. The fewest points they have allowed this year to an SEC team is 30...to Florida's horrible offense. They get a week off before AU heads to Fayetteville. Better spend it tackling. <i>Threatdown level</i>...A hint of danger, I guess, since the game is in Fayetteville, but if I am being realistic, pretty low.<br />
<br />
<b>Tennessee</b> Last week Beat Carolina on a last second field goal 23-21. Is Tennessee getting better? Hard to say. They lost to a Georgia MASH unit at home in OT and they beat SC on a day when Spurrier apparently got started early on his post game Heineken Draught Keg, because the decisions he made during that one made Gamecock fans want to break out a breathalizer. I think they could give Auburn trouble at home. But they are still a bit of a mystery. <i>Threatdown Level</i>...Up moderately.<br />
<br />
<b>Georgia Dawgs</b> Last week-Blew a big lead and lost to Vandy 31-27. Tommy Tuberville was quoted in the locker room at halftime of the 2008 AU-Vandy game "Guys, It's F&^%$*n Vanderbilt!" Georgia looked like a contender early, but unless they get some players back in a hurry, it looks like another hot seat next year for Richt. <i>Threatdown Level</i>...sinking like a stone.<br />
<br />
<b>Bama</b> Last week-Blew out Arkansas 52-0. Saban is pretty unhappy about the fans leaving early in these blowout wins. But Nick needs to face facts, if you were an 18-21 year old and had the choice between <b>A.</b> Watching the college football equivalent of Ambien or <b>B.</b> Going back to the frat house and doing keg stands, then possibly having a hot co-ed make out with you, which would you do? I would choose B., even if said co-ed had been throwing up for the last twenty minutes. <i>Threatdown Level</i>...Maxed out.<br />
<br />
So barring some major catastrophe, Auburn will be 7-1 at the end of October. Wrap your head around that for a second before you consider that right now they will be favored in 3 out of the 4 games remaining after Saturday. I think the potential land mine is in Knoxville. But I will reserve judgement on that until after this weekend. <br />
<br />
FAU preview tomorrow, where I will try to convince myself that the Owls are dangerous...Zackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10880181291039076547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511520355769452911.post-42795637667343579712013-10-22T12:33:00.000-07:002013-10-22T12:33:55.974-07:00A&M Review-Don't Call It a Comeback, We've Been Here for Years<br />
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/wQKKj_qeOBQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
<br />
If you had forgotten what absolute bliss college football can be, you got a piping hot spoonful of it Saturday afternoon. No one, other than those of us in orange and blue, gave Auburn a snowball's chance against Johnny Football and Texas A&M. Pundits laughed about it and dismissed it. People in the national media cannot seem to forgot the train wreck of 2012.<br />
<br />
Fortunately, the group of young men wearing that orange and blue have forgotten. After Auburn 45 Texas A&M 41, we all can. <br />
<br />
I don't know if I have seen a team with more guts than this one. The 2010 team had guts, but they also had a guy that wore #2 that helped instill courage. This team has a 6 footer who used to play defensive back. <br />
<br />
Nick Marshall doesn't make every throw that he should. He puts the ball on the ground too much. But he is cool and collected in crunch time and I cannot think of anyone better to lead this team throughout the rest of the season.<br />
<br />
People who thought that the Malzahn offense is of the finesse variety found out pretty quickly in that last drive that this is a power eye from a spread. Sure, there are lots of moving parts and motions and fakes, but this offense runs right at you. Tre Mason was a beast Saturday and is one of the best backs in the country you've never heard of. <br />
<br />
Defensively, you cannot say enough about how much better this unit is from the last few years. They make mistakes, sure. But they fly to the ball and make plays. We all knew Manziel and Evans would get their points. What we didn't know was that a fresh set of linemen had plenty enough in the tank to register two sacks in the final moments to seal the deal. <br />
<br />
Excited about the win against a top ten team? Now think about this-<i>It will only get better</i>. And if the schedule plays out the way I think it will, we may be looking for an Iron Bowl for the ages on November 30th. But let's not get too far ahead. Tough road games still remain. <br />
<br />
The ceiling is so high for this group under Malzahn that I can barely contain my excitement for the future. It is hard to believe that these are the same players we watched perform so futilely last season. <br />
<br />
But as Dee Ford said after the game Saturday, and I am paraphrasing here "We are the same players as last year, but we are a different <i>team</i>."<br />
<br />
Amen, Dee. Amen<br />
<br />
Other random thoughts about the weekend:<br />
<br />
-Say what you want about Johnny Football, but he is a gamer and one tough dude. I was dreaming of a 4th quarter runaway after he went out. But then he went in the locker room and grew another arm. They must have shot him up with the same stuff Coach Kilmer used in <i>Varsity Blues.</i><br />
<br />
-That may be the worst defense we have played this year against a DI team. If the Aggs had a funtional D they are likely a Championship contender.<br />
<br />
-The old football saying "The team that can run the ball and stop the run will will usually win", and Auburn did just that Saturday.<br />
<br />
-The SEC is a crazy league this year, especially after Saturday. Raise your hand if you had Missouri to win the east.And who in the world thought that LSU would go down to an Ole Miss team missing their feature back and a patchwork defense?<br />
<br />
-Florida State may be the best team in the country right now. I see them playing Oregon for the National Championship...after we beat Bama.<br />
<br />
So with 5 games left, Auburn should be favored in four of those for sure. I still worry about road games in Fayetteville and Knoxville, especially the way Tennessee is playing right now. Let's worry about those games when they get here. Right now, I will enjoy being 6-1.<br />
<br />
War EagleZackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10880181291039076547noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511520355769452911.post-86598573885279586082013-10-18T08:16:00.003-07:002013-10-18T08:16:43.631-07:00Texas Aggie Preview-The Long Road Back<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx65ho3y6UhMfAobxkbfGq0nytcUDpLunIKdtS5M_1aKkR-TTuKJzfr1ix2AAyZbwik2B5mQCTKu6WkMFs-K4c2u_c9yRy9Qgqv-4VUNtvslE3zqYYD4M_Z0wPNBaoqBONwpPX8suzM9n1/s1600/johnny+Football.png" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx65ho3y6UhMfAobxkbfGq0nytcUDpLunIKdtS5M_1aKkR-TTuKJzfr1ix2AAyZbwik2B5mQCTKu6WkMFs-K4c2u_c9yRy9Qgqv-4VUNtvslE3zqYYD4M_Z0wPNBaoqBONwpPX8suzM9n1/s640/johnny+Football.png" /></a> <i>I still like him better than A.J. McCarron.</i><br />
<br />
I have heard this week how big a game this is for Auburn's renaissance in becoming relevant again in college football. That may very well be true, but let's keep in mind how far we have already come back from the cellar of SEC football.<br />
<br />
Auburn won 3 stinkin' games last year that very easily could have been two stinkin' games. Auburn was shut out of the win column in the SEC, getting absolutely hammered in their last three SEC games.<br />
<br />
Now Auburn sits at 5-1, with a chance to have a pretty good season, all things considered. A win tomorrow against A&M and all of a sudden a pretty decent year can morph into a potentially very special one.<br />
<br />
For those fans, and there area handful, who are ready for Auburn to head to a BCS bowl this year I say: I think that's great, but let's take a moment to sit back a smell the roses. Gus Malzahn has taken this program light years from where they were just one year ago. He has rebuilt a wounded psyche and made players and fans believe again. Win or lose in College Station tomorrow, Auburn is well on their way back to the top of college football.<br />
<br />
As far as the game goes, we have all heard by now the keys to victory. Run the ball. chew up clock. Keep the ball away from the insufferable jerk wearing #2 in maroon. <br />
<br />
Easier said than done I say. Alabama's ridiculously good defense full of pro prospects, that have already signed with agents in the weight room, had that plan. The Tide got down 14 early and had to abandon that strategy and elect for a shootout. <br />
<br />
The good news there is Auburn is much better equipped for a shootout than the Tide. Better news is that A&m's defense may be the worst of any FBS team on Auburn's schedule this year. <br />
<br />
But that damn Johnny Football is good.<br />
<br />
Make no mistake, A&M will score points. They have the ability to get them in bunches. Auburn will have to deal with that, and not get demoralized when the Aggies run off a couple scores. It will likely happen.<br />
<br />
But Auburn got down 21-0 to LSU in the worst possible way with turnovers and gashing runs, and by the end it was LSU that looked demoralized even in victory, because in the second half Auburn punched the Tigers in the mouth and kept swinging until the final bell. <br />
<br />
<br />
Manziel also has a tendency to throw the ball up for grabs. So, if Auburn can manage to force a turnover or two, then Auburn's defense can win the day, even if giving up 30+.<br />
<br />
<br />
The key here is not to get behind. If Auburn wins the toss, take the ball down and score. If Auburn somehow manages to get up on the Aggies, then I think Auburn's run game and ball control gets the Tigers to 6-1.<br />
<br />
It can happen people. Believe...<br />
<br />
<b>Auburn-38</b><br />
Aggs-35 Zackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10880181291039076547noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511520355769452911.post-90508346409439002672013-10-17T13:07:00.000-07:002013-10-17T13:08:05.463-07:00The Threatdown-Week 7<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeng-RiMRx63LxL5GaMef80-prHdWOOOu9Gol-1Lm5LtCt6BtlQ_zOTTHIsLLg6wIrbi0mDE9-OETFQ3tjzPRxpkqusWA8dpwcaRXxv9Ch_vXgsvHmkqISpeSbquKo_L2U4leBPa5Ew_hb/s1600/threatdown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeng-RiMRx63LxL5GaMef80-prHdWOOOu9Gol-1Lm5LtCt6BtlQ_zOTTHIsLLg6wIrbi0mDE9-OETFQ3tjzPRxpkqusWA8dpwcaRXxv9Ch_vXgsvHmkqISpeSbquKo_L2U4leBPa5Ew_hb/s400/threatdown.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Fair Amount of movement in this week's threatdown. Let's take a look:<br />
<br />
<b>Texas Aggies</b> Last week- Edged out Ole Miss 41-38. If not for some horrible play calling on the Rebs last drive (3 straight incompletions on the worst run defense in the conference), Auburn might be playing 4-2 A&M this weekend. <i>Threatdown Level</i>...Down a couple notches<br />
<br />
<b>Florida Atlantic</b> Last week-Snatched defeat from the jaws of victory against Marshall 24-23. Remember when we thought this could be our last win of 2013? It's still possible, but not likely. <i>Threatdown level</i>...bottom basement.<br />
<br />
<b>Arkansas</b> Last week-Embarrassed at homecoming by South Carolina 52-7. Wheels are coming off for the Hogs. Here's an eye popping stat that would make Keihl Frazier blush-4 receptions for 30 yards. I've seen wishbone jr high teams throw for more yards. <i>Threatdown Level</i>...Approaching the bottom, but still a bit of danger. <br />
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<b>Tennessee</b>-Last week-Bye. The Vols got a week off to lick their wounds, and they had a lot of licking to do. These are not happy times in Knox-vegas. They took it out on the <a href="http://www.utk.edu/tntoday/2013/10/14/ut-places-gary-sousa-leave-names-interim-band-director/">band director</a> this week, which goes to show you there is such a thing as too much Rocky Top. <i>Threatdown level</i>...Stable<br />
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<b>Georgia</b> Last week-Lost to Missouri 41-26. The walking wounded at UGA are fast becoming the walking dead. WIth no receivers to throw to, Aaron Murray looked mediocre at best. The Dawgs defense hasn't "hunkered down" yet this season. <i>Threatdown level</i>...Down.<br />
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<b>Bama</b>-Last week-Beat Kentucky 48-7. I watched the first quarter of this game. Bama football should be marketed as a sleep aid. <i>Threatdown Level</i>...Unchanged, and likely to remain so until LSU weekend.<br />
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Needless to say we'll know a great deal about Auburn after Saturday. More on A&M tomorrow...<br />
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Zackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10880181291039076547noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511520355769452911.post-59271722792742218242013-10-15T12:46:00.003-07:002013-10-15T12:46:48.578-07:00Western Carolina Review<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2lMs4OCh63HpLt-nTVsW7fkIXHj31yareZUAfJAsl6vhFYol8-2o9LKBPCZzRrsCLWbPfgvxF6W3yZc_Jp4WlSwFzsNhxIc2PsUCKfPzakFCdYPF3bPvQ2yaQ4Ss05UNKxBE7-fYJUvYT/s1600/Auburn-Jeremy-Johnson-John-Reed+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2lMs4OCh63HpLt-nTVsW7fkIXHj31yareZUAfJAsl6vhFYol8-2o9LKBPCZzRrsCLWbPfgvxF6W3yZc_Jp4WlSwFzsNhxIc2PsUCKfPzakFCdYPF3bPvQ2yaQ4Ss05UNKxBE7-fYJUvYT/s400/Auburn-Jeremy-Johnson-John-Reed+(1).jpg" /></a> <i>The future is now.</i><br />
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Not much to review about Auburn destroying a really bad football team, except to say that Auburn did exactly what they are supposed to do in this one. Auburn took care of business in this one, and pretty much everything you like to see in a cupcake eating contest happened. No one got hurt. Lots of people got to play, giving way to lots of Shakespeare references. <br />
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Most intriguing was Jeremy Johnson's play. Johnson was off the hook good against Western. He threw basically one bad pass all day. His throws were crisp and on target. We can definitely see that he is the future for Auburn football. <br />
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How soon that future gets here is the intriguing part. With Nick Marshall's injury, Gus could have elected to go with Jonathan Wallace and beat Western Carolina. He chose Johnson, electing to burn his redshirt. Why? My only answer is Auburn feels like Johnson can help Auburn win sooner other than later, and/or Marshall's injury is more serious than is being advertised. Gus is tight lipped and even a bit misleading when it comes to Auburn injuries. Jeff Whitaker went from day to day to medical redshirt rather quickly <br />
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Would Gus have burned the redshirt if Auburn was 3-3? Hard to say. Every coach gets a honeymoon period and most of us would have been happy with 7-5 and a bowl game. But in 2013 Auburn has exceeded and continues to exceed expectations. My bet is that Gus and company feel like they can win every game left on the schedule. If Marshall is truly injured and not just banged up, and Johnson gives Auburn the best chance to win those games, then why not go with him?<br />
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I also believe that Auburn has a chance at winning every game on the schedule, including the game at College Station come Saturday. More on why I feel that way later this week. Until then, let's all enjoy being 5-1, having the best rushing offense in the SEC. Things feel right again, don't they?Zackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10880181291039076547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511520355769452911.post-12546962007284520312013-10-11T06:51:00.000-07:002013-10-11T06:51:52.105-07:00Western Carolina Preview-Who will Play QB?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ8oV3ltkIrsQr79PgrIgUQbHQuZcV00KDZaTi6gJMIO5aDzikHgFf4S8y7mZmN78IQZK2gehRWdVpwmUXpu9oiL36KlPxBOodUpzz5oX95c-Jo64Zsl6_AYCsPwbL6VCu2RRzRMm3duE-/s1600/question-mark2.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ8oV3ltkIrsQr79PgrIgUQbHQuZcV00KDZaTi6gJMIO5aDzikHgFf4S8y7mZmN78IQZK2gehRWdVpwmUXpu9oiL36KlPxBOodUpzz5oX95c-Jo64Zsl6_AYCsPwbL6VCu2RRzRMm3duE-/s320/question-mark2.jpg" /></a> <i>What Does Auburn do if Marshall cannot go?</i><br />
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Nick Marshall's knee was hyper-extended in the win vs Ole Miss last Saturday night, or at least we can surmise that based on the replay. How bad the injury is we are just not sure, and Gus Malzahn has been tight lipped in regard to injuries all year. <br />
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So let's first talk worst case scenario here, and say Marshall will miss several games and maybe the entire year. Does Auburn burn the shirt on Jeremy Johnson or Do they go will a guy who has SEC game experience in Jonathan Wallace?<br />
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My answer is-go with the best one. If it is Wallace, if Gus thinks we can win games with him, let him start. I have heard the argument that we cannot win with Wallace based on how he looked last year.<br />
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If that theory was a laptop, Cam would throw it out the window.<br />
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Auburn's offensive line is good, maybe one of the best in the conference this year. Wallace will benefit from that. He also had the benefit of spring practice and knows the offense, maybe better that Marshall even at this point. He is a tireless student of the game. We have heard more often than not that he is the first one to the complex and the last one to leave. He has the team's respect. Will he light the world on fire in the passing game? Maybe not. But Nick has not exactly been Peyton Manning this season throwing the forward pass. I doubt there is much separation between the two here. <br />
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If Jeremy Johnson is better, if Gus thinks he can win with the true freshman, let it ride. I have heard this week that a true freshman can't win games in the SEC.<br />
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Mule muffins.<br />
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We have seen plenty of cases over the years where a true freshman won games in the SEC. Manning did. So did Jay Barker in the early 90's. If Johnson is good enough, he can win games for Auburn. Let's keep in mind Auburn may have the best rushing attack in the SEC and we have not asked the QB to do very much so far this season. <br />
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The bottom line is, Auburn has two very good options at QB if Nick Marshall can't go.<br />
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This is probably a moot point. If Marshall has a knee sprain and needs an extra week to get better, this is a perfect time, because any QB on the roster can beat Western Carolina. If the injury is minor, he should be fine going forward<br />
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As far as the game goes, Auburn can name their score against this hapless bunch. I would love to see the starters done by halftime. Happy homecoming Auburn, and War Eagle...<br />
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<b>Auburn</b> 55<br />
Worst team in the SoCon-7Zackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10880181291039076547noreply@blogger.com0