What does Coach Richt have planned for this week....dark helmets again?
By: Kevin Strickland
Mark Richt knows what’s wrong with the Georgia Bulldogs.
He knows why the ‘Dogs are 5-4 and in jeopardy of missing a bowl trip for the first time in eight years.
Richt has figured out why his team has fallen off the SEC East radar.
It’s not the schizophrenic offense that was able to torch Arkansas for 52 points but could only scrounge up 19 against Tennessee and 10 at Oklahoma State.
It’s not the erratic defense that allowed 37 to South Carolina, 41 to Arkansas, 41 to Florida and 45 to Tennessee.
Nope. It’s choreography and costuming that are the problem for his Bulldog team.
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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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The Tigers killed the Paladins, up next Dawgs!
By: Kevin Strickland
The Auburn Tigers bombed the Furman Paladins 63-31 in front of a Saturday afternoon Homecoming crowd.
The win was expected as was the relative ease with which it was achieved.
When you’re facing an opponent at a clear disadvantage in terms of talent, there are three things that must be achieved:
1) Avoid injury
2) Allow backups and rarely used players to gain experience; and
3) Learn something about your team
By that measure, Auburn’s win over the Paladins was a success.
The Tigers escaped without major injury.
Second string quarterback Neil Caudle played extensively. Anthony Gulley showed his wheels, breaking loose for a long touchdown run. Heralded freshman receiver DeAngelo Benton made his first significant impact of the season, catching six passes for 88 yards. Receivers Tim Hawtorne, Emory Blake and Derek Winter all made contributions.
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By: Kevin Strickland
The Furman Paladins couldn’t have chosen a better time to slip onto the Auburn Tigers’ football schedule.
Sandwiched between an emotional and cathartic win over Ole Miss and next week’s grudge match against traditional rival Georgia the Paladins lurk in easily overlooked ambush.
Furman sneaks in for Auburn’s Homecoming at 4-4 with wins over Presbyterian, Chattanooga, Western Carolina and Samford under their belts. Losses to Missouri, Appalachian State, Elon and The Citadel even out the slate.
The Paladins score a healthy 27.6 points and 151 yards rushing per game and could pose a threat to…
Think the paladins will wear this to midfield at the coin toss to intimidate?
Oh, who are we kidding?
There is no real need to preview this game.
Auburn, on Homecoming, will turn the Paladins into an assortment of tin cans. Missouri bombed Furman 52-12 and that’s about how Saturday afternoon will turn out.
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