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Gameday Bye-You Notes

Oct 23rd, 2010
by Tom.
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Good morning and War Eagle.  I just finished watching the ESPN College Gameday package on today’s game in Auburn.  (I can’t believe I’ve had this on all morning.)  How big is this game?  I haven’t the faintest clue what we’re cooking.  Yea, I woke up with no idea or food stuffs in the pantry.  It’s already “crazy” and I didn’t intend for it to be. 

My gut tells me that we’ve seen our one “crazy” game of the year.  Scoring 60+ points on another SEC team because you have to to win is crazy.  I feel fortunate that we escaped last week.  I’m sure Arkansas is still scratching their heads.  I am.

The down side to last week’s win is the media discussion regarding Cam Newton: “is he stoppable?”  It’s clear to me that after watching the ESPN package, that LSU players are confident they have answers and are hungry for respect.  (Note to self: add Advil to shopping list.) 

The hype on today’s game is “best offense vs. best defense”.  Personally I don’t think that’s where the game will be won or lost. Earlier this week, I posted my gut feelings on the passing game.  Regardless of YTD stats, LSU will move the ball through the air and once rolling will present a balanced attack that’s hard to stop.  That’s the real story to me.  Will Aubrun’s defense sell out to the run 100% of the time? 

On to some other games:

  • Wouldn’t it be nice for Rocky Top to get their first conference win today?  The Volunteers were close in Baton Rouge only to make a blunder in the end.  Word from Knoxville is that practice has been good and the seniors are stepping up their game.  I’ll paint my kleenex box orange. I don’t think it stops the bleeding.  Bama should eek out a win 17-10.  BUT don’t be surprised if McElroy can’t secure the win in the 4th quarter.
  • The word on Georgia is that they are back on track and could win the East.  Huh?  Their road goes through Lexington, Kentucky today.  I don’t know much about the Dawgs but my stomach feels empty at the thought Georgia wins this game.  The Wildcats beating of South Carolina after losing such a close game to Auburn tells me that team may have something to say.  I look at this matchup as “up and coming coach and team” against “established, maybe it’s time to move on coach and team”.  Up and coming wins this week: Kentucky 24, Georgia 21. 
  • I recall wondering where the football was when we moved to St. Louis in 2007.  Grocery stores sell Cardinals cookies in November there.  The Mizzou shirts only come out for big games.  One man in the office however wore his Mizzou tie each Friday and I’ll never forget him.  I wish I had Schlafly at LAN HQ just for the Tigers in Black and Gold today because I think they’ll need it.  Sooners cookies are sold year round in Oklahoma and that group won’t be the third #1 ranked team to go down on the road for the third straight week.  Sooners 31, Missouri 27. 
  • Other noteables: I’ve read all week that Vanderbilt controls their own destiny. Vandy has never controlled their destiny but a Chicken Curse could help.  If South Carolina fails to get a running game going look for Vanderbilt to upset the Gamecocks.  The most interesting game in the SEC may be Ole Miss at Arkansas.  I don’t think Ole Miss is that bad and Houston Nutt’s return may give that group an edge.  Look for a Arkansas letdown today.  I like the Wisconsin Badgers’ head coach.  He’s a solid midwesterner with a Hawkeye tatoo.  Iowa always manages to choke.  This could be the game today.

Back to the Plains and then I have to run for the market… I would be surprised if:

  1. Auburn wins the game with a last minute drive.
  2. Auburn wins going away.

I wrote last week that an Auburn loss is inevitable.  Historically this is the type of game Auburn losses.  Two undefeated teams, lots of media hype, and an opponent looking for respect.  I would hate for today to be the game.

If memory serves me correct, 2004 was the last time these two teams met with so much on the line.  It took a miracle 4th and long passing coversion from Jason Campbell before the go ahead touchdown to win that one.  You may recall the referees had something to say in that game too.  Auburn missed the extra point after that TD but a personal foul was called on LSU giving Auburn a second chance and the go ahead point.  

I don’t think my heart could take that kind of game again but my gut is telling me “here it comes.”  These teams don’t like to play in the same sandbox.  It’s a matter of who is bully enough and who can hit harder in the end.  

My brain is telling me Auburn loses this one and not by a close margin or a missed field goal.  Defense and grinding out the run game does win championships here in the SEC.  Auburn leads the league in rushing but with a QB. Quietly standing on the other sideline today will be the league leading RB rusher Stevan Ridley of LSU.  I expect him to get his carries.  

My heart is telling me however this could be a game very similar to last year’s Iron Bowl.  Auburn used misdirection to attack an aggressive defense and led early.  On defense they sold out to stopping the run and did so.  Passing and balance won it for the bammers in the closing minutes.  I feel a similar game coming on today.  The difference today being…

LSU gets a score late to send it to OT.  Once there, Auburn wins: 24-21.

War Eagle!

The Passing Lane

Oct 20th, 2010
by Tom.
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Two photos. Two decades a part.  Same outcome.  Look familiar?

You’ve read the national media and maybe some of you are drinking Auburn blog cool-aid.  It’s really easy ’cause it tastes so good this year.  Cam Newton is Bo Jackson’s worst nightmare.  Auburn folk may not remember him after Newton gets his Heisman.  Auburn is winning and you can’t turn on TV without that media Moe slanting the Tigers’ way.

I got it!  Let’s let the PS3 just automatically play all the remaining games until the Iron Bowl.  Then we’ll play that game ourselves so we can score another 60+ points.  Sounds ridiculous but after a few days after beating Arkansas (the chicken cursed program in the SEC West), most Auburn faithful are on the Internets predicting big things this week. 

But take a look at those two pictures, taken two decades a part.  Both LSU TDs, scored on passing plays in the final seconds to defeat good Auburn teams. 

The “earthquake game” is what put this rivalry on the map.  That’s the photo on the right.  Eddie Fuller caught a desperation 4th down pass from Tommy Hodson as time was running out.  The crowd erupted causing a seismograph to record the celebration.  It was AU’s only loss of the regular season in 1988 and kept the Tigers out of the National Title game, not to mention sharing the SEC crown with LSU.

Fast forward to 2007.  Les Miles is at his clock management best (yea, this isn’t a new trend).  Seconds are ticking down, a 41-yard field goal wins the game for LSU at Auburn.  Instead of taking a time out and attempting the field goal, Miles calls a deep pass to the end zone.  Yep, Demetrius Byrd caught it. LSU won at Auburn for the first time in a decade and went on to win the BCS Championship.  The 2008 game was the same story all over: LSU throws last minute pass to win.

I’ve always been an Auburn realist, although there have been some crazy hairball predictions made out of fun.  This is a game where it’s time to be real.  C’mon! Auburn has a defense not even close to the state of Alabama when someone throws a football.  It doesn’t matter if LSU is any good at it.  It’s LSU!  They will pass the ball successfully.  History tells us so.  All LSU needs is to be close at the end.

So why all the fuss?  It’s LSU and Auburn, one of the hottest and least known college football rivalries.  When these teams meet undefeated, the winner plays for championships.  LSU has has won their fair share.  Auburn has won none.

Post that in the locker room.

More to come…

Today’s Menu Includes Hogs

Oct 16th, 2010
by Tom.
1 comment

We got our workout in this morning at the new American Family Fitness location in Midlothian.  It’s a pretty sweet gym.  I was particularly happy to have new gear and an indoor track.  Although not as long as other indoor tracks I’ve run, it was padded and a welcome sight for a person wanting to ease back into running again.

But I’m not burning the clock to write that story.  Auburn has a big game today in case you haven’t heard yet.  With Auburn, all games are big at this point.  The national media is talking “run” and our quarterback all of a sudden is in the Heisman discussion. 

Thoughts on some other games first…

  • I don’t believe South Carolina will have a letdown this week at Kentucky but I won’t be surprised if they do.  Kentucky may be the most explosive team in the conference when they want to be.  However, the Wildcats haven’t played a defense like South Carolina’s either.  The Gamecocks will peck the kitties in Lexington, 27-17.
  • Florida better be ready to play today.  Mississippi State isn’t half bad and has upset the Gators before. Coach Dan Mullen gives the Bulldogs an edge in this game.  The big question for me is will the Gators roll over if they fall behind or will they play Gator ball?  I’m predicting an upset in the Swamp, MSU 28, UF 27 and Gator faithful will begin to whisper “was it more than his heart?”
  • Alabama will play angry today.  It’s bad enough to play Alabama after a conference loss.  This week Ole Miss talked smack about the matchup too.  Houston Nutt’s game plan will be entertaining for say… 3 minutes.  Then after that it’s all UAT.  Bammers put away their Kleenex with a good win over the Rebels/Bears, 38 to 10.
  • Teams to root for today:  Wisconsin has a chance to beat #1. Go Badgers.  I may wear Texas orange today as they play the Cornhuskers.  I have nothing against Nebraska just want the BCS teams in front of Auburn to lose. Tommy Tuberville’s Red Raiders play Oklahoma State, the program with more money than God but absolutely no tradition. Good luck Tommy.

Ok, now Auburn.  I won’t repeat anything you’ll find on another blog or site.  The Tigers have the best running game in the league.  The Razorbacks have a poor rushing defense.  The Tigers are shaky when it comes to defending the pass.  It just so happens the Hogs like to throw it around.  Two things: 1) I’ll be surprised if Auburn blows out Arkansas, 2) I’ll be surprised if neither team breaks 20 points. After those items anything goes. 

At this point in the season I have this feeling that a loss is inevitable.  I’m not convninced that AU can go all the way.  However, we can make it to Atlanta if we avoid losing to other SEC West teams.  Today is the first step towards getting to the title game.  The big question for me today is will our team take control of their destiny or will they depend on last second heroics again? 

My gut tells me Bobby Petrino will get the best of us today.  The defense has had its moments but lacks consistency.  Last week the offense left their sense of urgency in the locker room before finding it with minutes to spare.  This is all Petrino and the Razorbacks need.

On the flip side my brain tells me Auburn will find another way to win in the end.  Cam Newton is the most valuable player in college football right now and if he wills it, winning will happen.  Cizik and compnay are attempting the nearly impossible – make Jordan-Hare just as intimidating to play as Death Valley.  So far this year it’s been scary.

So I’m going with a straightjacket pick: Auburn 56, Arkansas 48.

War Eagle everyone!  We’ll post some rib pictures later today.

Ding Dong, Bama Loses

Oct 10th, 2010
by Tom.
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The witch isn’t dead yet but Dorothy is just around the bend.  Alabama’s loss to South Carolina was pure bliss.  Was it a hat trick?

The Media’s Love Child Loses

The Division 1-A college football national championship is a joke invented by powerful media writers, corporations, advertisers, and old white guys wearing plaid pants.  Alabama was preordained the champion at the beginning of the year by the establishment in an annual ritual known as the “preseason poll”.  The poll names a “it’s yours to lose” leader every year.

With #1 Alabama’s loss, TCU, Boise State, and other less popular programs (i.e. Auburn) become part of the national discussion.  With a few more losses from teams like Ohio State and Oklahoma, this year has the potential to bring down the house of cards better known as the “BCS”.  Even the media’s argument for a one loss SEC team playing for the national title will be a little lite if a few non-BCS schools are undefeated at the end of the year.  I’m adding candles to my shopping list.

Nick Saban goes down to Steve Spurrier

I can no longer blame Alabama for bribing a coach to abandon a commitment (a la Saban dissing Miami).  That’s the business.  No doubt Saban has done almost the impossible by bringing Alabama back from the depths of hell.  BUT… Spurrier is working with far, far less potential in Columbia.  His plight is a pure moral cause.

The Gamecocks have never had the players, tradition, nor the program to sustain winning.  Wasn’t this their first win over a #1 in the school’s history?  Can you count South Carolina’s championships on one hand?  How many other big name coaches has South Carolina gone through before handing the keys to Spurrier?

The media will get this story right: This is Spurrier’s best team since he’s been at South Carolina.  It may be the best team in that program’s history and be their best championship opportunity.  We’re glad they lost to Auburn and we’re in Heaven they beat the reds from Tuscaloosa.  Better yet, the Ole’ Ball Coach gets a shot at redemption over the highest paid coach in the business.  Now that’s a great story!

Any Day Alabama Loses is a Good Day

Just like when a prowler visits your house in the early morning, our hair stands on our neck at the very sight of the Alabama logo.  This would be a much longer post if I was to explain the emotions but know this: we surely will disown the children if they attend Alabama or marry into an Alabama family.

Aside from the reasons above, what makes this particular loss so great is that it proves what the rest of us have been saying; that Alabama isn’t perfect, that they can lose, and will lose.  Maybe we should be thanking Bobby Petrino and Arkansas for showing us the way?  It’s unfortunate the Razorbacks couldn’t finish their game against the Tide or Alabama would have two conference loses hoping to win enough games to play in a fruit bowl.

This loss was also special for the streaks: number of regular season wins, total wins, Greg McElroy’s first loss since middle school… The loss was bound to happen.  Now the media will stop talking about the streaks.  Now the discussion moves elsewhere.  Now all is becoming right in the world.

There are more good college football teams and lots of football left to play.  We are happy to have to story lines move to other well deserving programs and happy to see the SEC become unpredictable once again.

Cheers to the rest of the season!

Six and Oh-nly the Beginning

Oct 10th, 2010
by Tom.
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I have to admit, I yelled at the TV last night.  It was gut reaction.  By now I know this year’s Auburn Tigers will entertain, bewilder, and leave us riding the edge of our couches each Saturday.  Who knows what will happen next, or how good this team can become?

It’s been a little while since Auburn was in the limelight.  I wonder if the team really knows what the outside world looks like.  The team may not care about national rankings but as the Tigers move up the charts, every opponent works exponentially harder to knock them off.  Kentucky played great last night.

Next up is Arkansas.  Houston Nutt’s Arkansas teams had Tommy Tuberville’s number several times.  Bobby Petrino made his mark last year.  I have no doubt we may find ourselves playing catch up all afternoon next week.  They don’t get any bigger than this for our young program.  CBS will televise the game in its national slot Saturday.

After Arkansas is LSU.  The LSU rivalry is well documented if you follow southern football.  If you don’t just Google the “earthquake game”.  LSU may have been the only laughing stock of the college football universe a week ago for winning a game.  This week they looked darn good and now are only one of two undefeated SEC teams.  The Bayou Bengals always play with swagger and are glowing with confidence regardless of how you may think they look.

Auburn has had its share of shaky wins too.  Clemson, South Carolina, and Mississippi State each came down to the wire before last night’s game at Kentucky.  South Carolina pulled an Arkansas when they came to the Plains two weeks ago.  The only difference between Alabama’s game at South Carolina and our game at Kentucky is that we moved forward while the Tide withdrew.  And I think that gives Auburn people reason to hope.  We may not win every game this year, but we’re evolving and finding ways to improve.

Buckle your safety belts, the next few weeks of Auburn football will be wild.

The Heat is On

Sep 30th, 2010
by Tom.
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The fitness race is on between Taylor and me.  Almost 5 days down and we’re getting warmed up.  Here’s the deal again in case you missed it:

Me? I have to lose 20 pounds in 8 weeks.

Taylor? She has to record a personal best in the 5k within in the same time frame.

If I win, Taylor takes me to dinner and a movie.

If she wins, she gets $50.

I realized tonight that we did not share the weigh in nor Taylor’s best time she has to beat.  So here you are… the picture was taken on the cell phone Monday morning at the gym for my first weigh in.  Yep, that’s a Homer Simpson 218 for me.  So my target is 198.  That’s chicken seed money!

Taylor’s best time in the 5k was clocked just several weeks ago at her first cross-country meet of the year, at 23:33.  Since her first race she’s clocked the 5k at 23:57 and 24:45.  So she’s getting slower as she gets older.  Before you know it she’ll be wearing granny pants.

You’re goin’ down Taylor!

Stay tuned.  Maybe we’ll get Taylor to type a post or two here and we’ll be sure to keep you updated. 

Peace!

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