By: Mr. Sensible
Will this be an old school defensive battle? The author thinks so.
Florida 24, Alabama 20
Three Keys for Florida Victory
1) Florida’s Defense
It is safe to say, Alabama hasn’t faced a tougher test than the one waiting this Saturday. Florida’s league leading defense is built in pressure, aggressiveness, and taking the ball away from the opponent. It is as hard to move the ball consistently against Florida as it is to score points – only nine times this season has the other team crossed the goalline against the Gators. Moreover, Florida is good as stuffing the run – only giving up 2.6 yards per attempt – which puts the onus on Alabama’s passing game even more. The Gators defensive backfield has produced 20 INTs this year and in a game against big, physical wide receivers of LSU (comparable to Alabama’s squad), Florida held them to 11 catches for 96 yards. That’s darn impressive. The loss of Carlos Dunlap on the defensive line due to suspension is noteworthy and he will be sorely missed. However, Florida possesses strength in scheme and quality depth which helps to cover for that loss and gives them a distinct advantage in this game.
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Are the powers that be controlling more than the telecast?
by Kevin Strickland
When ESPN signed a blockbuster $2 billion, 15 year deal in August of 2008 with the Southeastern Conference for the rights to televise sporting events including football and basketball many wondered what impact the agreement might have on the future of sports.
Some, echoing the sentiment expressed by former Auburn head football coach Tommy Tuberville, expressed concern at the amount of influence the network now commands and raised the question of where the line between broadcasting games and having a vested interest in their outcome begins to blur (http://www.tigersx.com/ks/espn-influence-is-also-its-curse/).
As the 2009 SEC season unfolds, many are wondering if the specter of tampering with the possible outcome of games might already have reared its ugly head.
In recent weeks a series of egregiously bad officiating calls have gone against opponents of both SEC front runners Alabama and Florida.
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Still no love for the 4-0 Auburn Tigers
By: Kevin Strickland
The Auburn Tigers out-punched the Ball State Cardinals 54-30 Saturday night to move to 4-0 on the season. If history is any indicator, the hot start bodes well for Tiger fortunes.
Only 27 teams in Auburn history have started a season 4-0. Eight of those occurred after 1974.
Of the eight teams in the last 35 years that started 4-0, only two failed to win at least ten games. The 1994 Tigers reeled off nine before a closing with a tie and a loss. Auburn started 2000 with five consecutive wins before fading to 4-4 down the stretch.
Two of the eight finished the season without a loss.
Only one of the eight lost more than two games.
Three of the eight won the SEC West (one other would have but was on probation).
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Photo by Todd Van Emst- Will Chizik win for Auburn this Saturday?
By: Kevin Strickland
It’s hard to fathom just how much has changed in the last twelve months for the Auburn Tigers.
In the span of 365 days, the Tigers went from predicted title contender to projected punching bag. Have the Tigers really fallen that far that fast?
At this time a year ago, the Tigers were the chic pick to win the SEC West. The program was one of the most stable in the league, its head coach Tommy Tuberville holding the second-longest tenure of any active SEC coach. Fresh off a heady performance in the Peach Bowl, sophomore quarterback Kodi Burns was expected to step in flawlessly and give the Tigers a dual quarterback threat that was a cross between Michael Vick and Tom Brady. New offensive coordinator Tony Franklin brought the anticipation of a high-flying, high-scoring offensive juggernaut to complement Auburn’s traditionally stingy defense.
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