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Tuesday, November 16, 2010
The Iron Bowl : How Do The Two Teams Compare?
Auburn @ Alabama
Auburn has been one of the best offenses in the nation, but the Tigers have found themselves behind in several games. They always found a way to get the lead before the end ofthe game , though.
Alabama has been the best two-loss team incollege football. Even when you look at their two losses, the team didn't play bad. Unlike Auburn, they just weren't able to find the lead by the end of the game.
Lets look at the positions:
QB—Auburn not only has a better QB than Alabama, but maybe the best QB in college football history. Auburn, easily, has the better QB.
RB—Alabama has three of the best running backs in the country, but Auburn has a three-man running attack that isn't far behind them. Slight edge to Alabama.
WR—Alabama has one of the best playmakers in the NCAA. Auburn hasn't had the single big play guy, but they've spread it out between several different guys. Alabama has the better player at the position, but Auburn has shown more depth.
OL—Auburn has the better offensive line. I know Alabama fans do not agree with me on this, but the truth is Auburn is better and it's not close.
Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images DL—Alabama gets pressure on the QB. Auburn has defensive lineman of the year candidate Nick Fairly. Both defensive lines get the job done. I've got the defensive lines for these teams as even.
LB—If Auburn didn't have talent here, there is no way they'd be undefeated. With the weak secondary, the linebackers have bailed them out in coverage all season. This isn't a weak spot for the Tide either, Alabama gets pressure with their linebackers as well as anyone. I have the two teams even at linebacker.
DB—Neither of these two teams canclaim to have a good secondary. However, Alabama can claim to have the better defensive backs. Both teams can be had in the secondary, but Alabama, easily, has the better pass defense. The edge goes to Alabama.
Auburn's Keys to Victory
How has Auburn won all season long? Cam Newton. That is the key to beating the Tide. Make them do something 11 other teams couldn't do...Stop Cameron Newton.
Auburn will need to run the ball in the traditional way, and that will open up the beatable secondary of Alabama. I can easily see us finding the kind of success that LSU had against them.
There will be openings in the passing game. Auburn has to catch them looking for the pass, then hit them with the WR reverse. We have found success with that move all season.
Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images The Auburn defensive line has to pressure the QB. If Alabama has time to find the holes in the secondary, they will no doubt find a ton of them.
Auburn needs to use the stunts from the linebackers; make Alabama fear the blitz then pull the linebackers back into coverage. Auburn can get pressure with their front, but the secondary needs the extra help.
Alabama is Like No Team We've Faced
Alabama is better than any team we've faced all season. Unlike many of the other tough games, this one won't be at home.
Alabama is like a combination of several teams we've faced. They have a passing game like South Carolina. It's debatable who's better, but the two teams are similar. They both have the big-play receiver with Jones and Jeffery.
The Alabama plan to beat us will be more like what Arkansas did, only Alabama will run more to make sure the openings are there in our secondary. We can beat their good running backs, but if they catch our linebackers out of position, we're beat by the passing attack.
Georgia is going to be more like the defense Alabama will bring. Maybe even similar to LSU. We will have plenty of chances to beat their defense. With our pass defense we'll need to take advantage of ever opportunity they give us.
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images Alabama is going to have to beat Cam Newton. That is something not one other team has done. They cannot just shutdown everyone else, because Cam can beat them if they take that approach.
The Tide defense must beat Cam to beat us. I honestly think the chances are going to be there even if Barrett Trotter was playing QB. Alabama doesn't have a secondary that can stop our passing attack.
Auburn has the talent to spread out the defense, and Newton or Trotter are good enough passers to expose their weak points. Alabama, in their two defeats, was simply caught out of position too many times.
Auburn has been one of the best offenses in the nation, but the Tigers have found themselves behind in several games. They always found a way to get the lead before the end of
Alabama has been the best two-loss team in
Lets look at the positions:
QB—Auburn not only has a better QB than Alabama, but maybe the best QB in college football history. Auburn, easily, has the better QB.
RB—Alabama has three of the best running backs in the country, but Auburn has a three-man running attack that isn't far behind them. Slight edge to Alabama.
WR—Alabama has one of the best playmakers in the NCAA. Auburn hasn't had the single big play guy, but they've spread it out between several different guys. Alabama has the better player at the position, but Auburn has shown more depth.
OL—Auburn has the better offensive line. I know Alabama fans do not agree with me on this, but the truth is Auburn is better and it's not close.
Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images LB—If Auburn didn't have talent here, there is no way they'd be undefeated. With the weak secondary, the linebackers have bailed them out in coverage all season. This isn't a weak spot for the Tide either, Alabama gets pressure with their linebackers as well as anyone. I have the two teams even at linebacker.
DB—Neither of these two teams can
Auburn's Keys to Victory
How has Auburn won all season long? Cam Newton. That is the key to beating the Tide. Make them do something 11 other teams couldn't do...Stop Cameron Newton.
Auburn will need to run the ball in the traditional way, and that will open up the beatable secondary of Alabama. I can easily see us finding the kind of success that LSU had against them.
There will be openings in the passing game. Auburn has to catch them looking for the pass, then hit them with the WR reverse. We have found success with that move all season.
Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images Auburn needs to use the stunts from the linebackers; make Alabama fear the blitz then pull the linebackers back into coverage. Auburn can get pressure with their front, but the secondary needs the extra help.
Alabama is Like No Team We've Faced
Alabama is better than any team we've faced all season. Unlike many of the other tough games, this one won't be at home.
Alabama is like a combination of several teams we've faced. They have a passing game like South Carolina. It's debatable who's better, but the two teams are similar. They both have the big-play receiver with Jones and Jeffery.
The Alabama plan to beat us will be more like what Arkansas did, only Alabama will run more to make sure the openings are there in our secondary. We can beat their good running backs, but if they catch our linebackers out of position, we're beat by the passing attack.
Georgia is going to be more like the defense Alabama will bring. Maybe even similar to LSU. We will have plenty of chances to beat their defense. With our pass defense we'll need to take advantage of ever opportunity they give us.
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images The Tide defense must beat Cam to beat us. I honestly think the chances are going to be there even if Barrett Trotter was playing QB. Alabama doesn't have a secondary that can stop our passing attack.
Auburn has the talent to spread out the defense, and Newton or Trotter are good enough passers to expose their weak points. Alabama, in their two defeats, was simply caught out of position too many times.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Friday, November 12, 2010
Auburn Tigers: Cecil and Cam Newton, Church and Boosters
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Andy Lyons/Getty Images Following the 1920 landmark ruling by a Federal Grand Jury, eight members of the Chicago White Sox had thrown the 1919 World Series. The following was heard.
"It ain't true, is it, Joe?"
"Yes, kid, I'm afraid it is," Jackson replied.
The boys opened a path for the ball player and stood in silence until he passed out of sight.
"Well, I'd never have thought it," sighed the boy.
The immortal words exchanged between a devastated young boy and his idol "Shoeless" Joe Jackson as he was escorted by Sheriff's from the Chicago Federal Courthouse in 1920.
Fast forward to 2010 and a magical season on "The Plains" of Auburn is teetering on the verge of disaster amidst allegations, rumors, jealousy and innuendo that Cam Newton's very own father, Cecil had solicited his son's services to the highest bidder?
It's been eight long days and the fear is creeping in many Tiger fans minds. From ordering BCS Championship tickets to admitting now, "I am truly obsessed with proving Cam Newton's innocence."
To whom I have raved about as being the best college football player I have ever seen, please don't make me mutter the words:
Will Cam Newton and Auburn be cleared or perish together?
A sordid tale has begun to spin out of control and the underlying theme at this point is Cecil Newton solicited money from Mississippi State boosters to secure his son's signature to play Quarterback in Starkville.
Something that registers deceptively odd is the finger pointing, unnamed sources, division and then denials of former MSU teammates and now popular hiring of lawyers. Who are these individuals at play here with the livelihood of a 21-year-old student athlete and millions of fans in the balance of a manic meltdown.
Who is not on the radar yet? Who is Auburn's rogue booster?
Does he exist or is this just a pile of crap linked to jealousy and revenge of the MSU staff?
Sadly, logic tells me that this is going to get worst before it ever gets better but I been resisting the reality of perception for eight days and now clearer than ever I can see the good old boy system resurrecting again.
Initially John Bond a former MSU legend now turned program lap dog leaked to ESPN on the insistence of Dan Mullen that Cecil Newton had solicited funds from the program. Initially Bond told ESPN that former teammate and "gopher boy" had worked the deal to ensure Cam Newton would sign but it would cost at a minimum $180K.
The former football legend turned post game story teller has seen better days...FBI wants to talk to you, John Bond! Times have changed but really nothing has changed since back in the day. Like Kenny Rogers said during his interview with ESPN Dallas radio on November 11 2010, paraphrased, "Those damn white boys are lying on me!"
Yes they are using you Kenny Rogers as the scapegoat. The alleged broken deal probably cost Kenny approximately $80K.
I want to know what two MSU coaches are in question of when Cecil allegedly told them that it was going to take more than just a scholarship. Did the Newton family solicit pay for play from Oklahoma or Tennessee? Of course both coaches deny that ever occurred.
All Kenny Rogers is doing is clearing the record which basically means “I ain’t going down alone. I didn’t make this up!” The Newton’s are playing dumb and after eight days, Kenny got tired of fielding death threats and “you dumb ass” looks from family and friends.
Where is the evidence? Who is in charge of this investigation and why is it just now coming to light? Did MSU take their time and fail to answer questions in a timely manner simply to get their story straight?
Amazing talent
Clearly I don’t trust former athletes turned program lapdogs and the rednecks in Starkville are as shady as ever but what if Auburn is too? What if Gene Chizik and Jay Jacobs had wool pulled over their eyes by the magic of this season?The more information that comes out in this ordeal the less respect I have for all parties involved; from the top down beginning with the all mighty NCAA and the suddenly aloof Office of the SEC but most of all, Cecil Newton I pray it’s not true.
Please don't make me mutter the words:
“Cecil, say it ain’t so, it ain’t so, right?”
Cause this one might hurt...hurt for a really long time.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Auburn is 10-0 with the Toughest Two Games Coming Up Next
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Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images In my lifetime as an Auburn fan, I've only seen two perfect seasons.
In 1993 Auburn went undefeated, but couldn't play for the national championship because of probation; then again in 2004, where they again weren't given the chance to play for the championship.
I have asked myself over and over which of those teams were best.
While I still am undecided on that, I believe this season's Tigers aren't the total team either of those two were. Then again, neither one of those team had a
Every team we played after Clemson
Now the defense had been horrible. I seriously doubt there has ever been a team undefeated with a defense ranking 50th or worse.
Auburn is ranked 91st in pass defense. Teams have averaged 241 yards a
It would have been better to play Georgia in the beginning of the season, before A.J. Green came back. They have really been a totally different team with him back.
Georgia throws the football and we can't stop the pass. That doesn't look too good for the Tigers.
Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images Going into Tuscaloosa isn't easy for anyone, but especially not Auburn. Saban is reminding those guys that Auburn is a way to salvage their season.
Here is the interesting part: Do we want Alabama to beat LSU and wrap up the west title, or do we want Alabama to loose again putting us in a two game must-win situation for the west?
If Alabama looses to LSU there will be even more pressure on Auburn to beat them. Not just because it's a team we should beat, but because there will be more footage on just how to beat them.
This week is starting a two week revenge run. We lost both of these games a year ago. Every player from last year's team should remember the two defeats. The secondary needs to take a long hard look at what their improvement means to the team.
Auburn has one of the most explosive offenses. I thought we had a chance for good season, but I thought we'd have a better pass defense, as well as a better rushing attack. The receivers as a whole have played well, but Darvin Adams has played below my expectation.
Emory Blake has really came into his own this season. The wide receivers are going to be tough to beat. The end-arounds have worked well for Auburn, so we must see plenty of them in the next two weeks.
Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images Auburn has one of the fastest offenses in the league. I thought Florida had more speed than us coming into the season, but at this point I'm not very sure. McCalebb might be the fastest back in the SEC.
It hasn't been in the game plan, but Auburn would make a great option team. The offensive line is very good, the running backs are fast, and the QB is big, fast, and mobile.
It might not be a bad idea if they put a option play out there in the next two weeks. It's something they wouldn't be expecting.
Prediction
I don't believe Georgia has an answer for Newton. The pass defense for the Bulldogs is pretty good, not great, but still better than ours.
We have to play fast, not just with the play calling, but also with McCalebb, Dyer and Fannin.
Fairley has to apply constant pressure up the middle. The timing on passing routes must be affected by the pass-rush. That will help the secondary out some, and we've been able to do it all season long. The pass-rush is by far our best attribute on defense.
Auburn 49, Georgia 37
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