Auburn vs. Northwestern in the 2010 Outback Bowl

By now you already know that Auburn accepted a bid to play in Tampa on New Year’s Day in the 2010 Outback Bowl.  Auburn will be going bowling again after missing last season’s festivities with its 5-7 record. Starting the season 5-0had most Auburn fans flying high.  However, they were quickly brought back to earth finishing the season 2-5 and  leading most fans to believe that there were definitely positives and negatives for Coach Gene Chizik’s first season. The combination of fan support and a strong showing in the Alabama game helped to convince Outback Bowl officials that Auburn was the 7-5 team they wanted.

Auburn’s opponent will be the 8-4 Northwestern Wildcats. The Wildcats come into the game riding a 3 game winning streak including wins over some pretty impressive opponents (Iowa and Wisconsin). In case you don’t know who or what Northwestern is, I present to you my cheat sheet to the Outback Bowl:

Northwestern University
2009 Overall Record: 8-4
Nickname: Wildcats
Location: Evanston, Illinois
Founded: 1851
Conference: Big Ten (Record 5-3, Tied 3rd Place)
Colors: Purple and White
Students: Approx: 18,208
Mascot: Willie the Wildcat

Athletics:

Coach: Pat Fitzgerald

Notable Players:
Mike Kafka, QB, Senior
Corey Wootten, DL, Senior
Sherrick McManis, CB, Senior

Rankings:

Total Offense: 57 (avg: 386 y/pg)
Scoring Offense: 76 (25.17 p/pg)
Total Defense: 43 (avg: 344 ya/pg)
Scoring Defense: 48 (23.3 pa/pg)

Schedule:

Northwestern’s football team has a history of futility; its all-time record is 468-614-44 (0.435) giving it the all-time record for Division I-A losses.^{[133][134][135]} Other dubious distinctions include being on the losing end of the greatest comeback in Division I-A history^[136] and holding the record for the longest losing streak in Division I-A, losing 34 consecutive games between 1979 and 1982.^[137][138] In 2004, Northwestern broke a 33-year losing streak (46 years at home) by defeating No. 7-ranked Ohio State 33-27.^[139] Although the team was invited to the 1996 Rose Bowl, 1997 Citrus Bowl, 2000 Alamo Bowl, 2003 Motor City Bowl, 2005 Sun Bowl, and 2008 Alamo Bowl, the last bowl game Northwestern won was the 1949 Rose Bowl.^[140] Following the sudden death of football coach Randy Walker in 2006,^[141]31-year old and former All-American Northwestern linebacker Pat Fitzgerald assumed the position becoming the youngest Division I FBS coach at the time.**

**Courtesy of Wikipedia

Outback Bowl Information
Date: January 1, 2010
Location: Raymond James Stadium – Tampa, FL
Time: 11 a.m. kickoff (ET)
Stadium Capacity: 65,657
Title Sponsor: Outback Steakhouse
Network: ESPN
Teams: Big Ten 3rd pick vs. SEC 3rd pick
Payout: $3.3 million (minimum) per team

Buy Auburn Outback Bowl Tickets: Here

Outback Bowl Events: Outback Bowl Official Website

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.

It all goes back to 2007. Desperately needing a spark to help break up a Florida stranglehold on Georgia’s series against the Gators (Florida had won 15 of the last 17), the staid Richt instructed his players to get an excessive celebration penalty after their first score.

The entire team rushed the field, danced like nobody was watching, earned the flag and went on to a 42-30 win.

Two weeks later, Richt and his Georgia team danced again, this time on the sidelines. As the stadium speakers blared Crank Dat (Superman) by Souja Boy, the team shook its collective Bulldog butt enroute to a 45-20 thrashing of Auburn. Even CBS announcer Verne Lundquist got into the act, captured on camera doing his version of the dance in the booth, a freakishly grotesque rendition that most resembled the Caddyshack gopher being hit with a taser.

Not only did the Bulldogs boogie, but they turned out in black jerseys for the first time ever, contributing to a blackout theme that saw most Bulldog fans also wearing black instead of the traditional red.

The fashion statement translated to the field as the Bulldogs surged toward the top of the 2007 rankings.

Georgia finished 11-2, exorcised the Florida demons and made a legitimate case for inclusion in the national championship discussion.

The problem for the Bulldogs was that Tennessee, one of two teams to knock off the Bulldogs that season, earned the SEC East title and berth in the championship game.

Still, Richt learned from the experience. He learned that one of the most critical components to game preparation was choreography and fashion.

“I think I’ve learned that it’s about 50-50,” Richt said in 2008 of the importance of energy and scheme. “You better do a good job fundamentally and scheme-wise, but you need to try to find a way to add energy.”

Richt’s method of adding energy? New clothes. He gave up playcalling duties in 2006 in order to focus more on gauging his team’s emotional level.

“I think it’s mart of Mark growing as a coach,” UGA athletic director Damon Evans said of Richt’s new concentration on intangibles. “I think Mark has grown every single year as a coach and gotten better and better. We all learn new things.”

Richt called on the black jerseys for a Sugar Bowl game against Hawaii, and the Bulldogs annihilated the Warriors.

Forget the shoes, it’s got to be the shirts.

When the Bulldogs faced Alabama in 2008, Richt returned the well and trotted out the black jerseys again.

One Alabama coach famously riffed that they were dressed in black for a funeral. Their own.

And so it was. Alabama buried the Bulldogs and mauled the black jersey mystique.

Later in the season, Florida exacted 49-10 revenge for the dancing of 2007.

Mystified, Richt tried to figure out what went wrong.  Why hadn’t the black jersey strategy worked? He had to be able to figure out how to successfully accessorize in 2009 or half of his coaching strategy would be for naught.

The black jersey failure so puzzled Richt so he consulted with famous fashion designer Vera Wang.

“Jerseys are so 2008, darling,” Wang said. “Hats are where it’s at in 2009!”

Perfect, Richt thought to himself as he sat down at the drawing board and crafted the next fashion statement for his team.

For Florida this season, the Bulldogs donned black helmets for the first time ever. Richt joyfully anticipated a cathartic win over the hated Gators.

A 41-17 thrashing later, Richt was despondent.

The Bulldog fanbase, which two years earlier had considered electing him emperor of the universe, had begun to lose faith. Rumors that Richt was on the hotseat and could be out of a job should his team fall to rival Auburn began to gather steam.

The Georgia coach wasn’t really concerned with his future, as he’d already started to build a Hollywood resume and could fall back on his acting career, but he didn’t want to leave his football hobby on a sour note.

Richt’s thespian efforts showed true range. He’d played everything from a  football coach to a football coach in a variety of projects.

He starred as Mark Richt in Damn Good Dog, a look at the life and times of Georgia mascot UGA in 2004.

He appeared in an episode of the short-lived television series Head Coach where he gave a compelling performance as Mark Richt.

Richt played a football coach which may or may not have been himself in the independent film Facing the Giants.

That led to a role in the Sandra Bullock vehicle The Blind Side where he was convincing as Georgia football coach Mark Richt.

Hollywood speculation had Richt as a hot commodity. He was up for the role of assistant coach Mark Richt in The Bobby Bowden Story. Industry experts said he was tailor made for the role.

He also auditioned for the part of assistant coach Mark Richt in the upcoming made-for-ESPN film Over My Dead Body: Bowden, Paterno and the Pursuit of Winningest Coach of All Time. His agent said he was dynamite and felt sure Richt would get a second read for the part.

Beyond that, Richt is reportedly under consideration for the lead role in the rumored CBS series CSI: Atlanta. According to speculation, all he would be required to do for the part was take his sunglasses off while making a clever quip. Chuck Amato is also rumored to be considered for the part, but Richt’s Georgia ties might give him the advantage there.

Will it be the Soljua Boy again or perhaps the Electric Slide

Richt’s status as a budding movie star led him to alternative methods to fix the ills that plagued his Georgia team. He called up Blind Side castmate Bullock to ask for advice.  She referred him to her pal and Georgia resident Ben Affleck who sent him to former flame Jennifer Lopez who made a call to Paula Abdul.

“Oh, honey,” Abdul gushed. “You are one good looking man. I give you a big YES on your tan alone.  It’s crazy! But if you want to really do something with this team you’ve got to get yourself back to what got you here. Return to your roots.

“Close your eyes, sugar britches,” Abdul purred. “Think back to 2007 when your Bulldogs were crowning with the glory, sweets. It wasn’t the jerseys, was it, baby love? Oh, those jerseys were a part of it, but what got you through Florida, my bronzed vision of southern goodliness?”

“I…I…I can’t remember,” Richt replied morosely.

Abdul began to hum, softly at first. At a whisper she started adding words.

“Soulja boy, off in dis oh,” she cooed softly.

“Yes, yes,” Richt sighed his head beginning to bob.

“Watch me crank it, watch me…” Abdul picked up the pace.

“WATCH ME ROLL!” Richt shouted.

In unison, Abdul and Richt finished the verse, she in California, he in Athens, both locking, popping and stepping.

“Watch me crank that SOULJA BOY, Watch me crank dat oh!”

“That’s it, that’s it,” Richt shouted joyously. It’s the DANCING we’ve been missing. Jerseys aren’t enough.

“Oh, Paula, how can I ever thank you enough.”

“Honey, in case you hadn’t noticed? I’m not exactly on the A-list these days. I’ll be in Athens on Tuesday. I’m bringing Debbie Allen with me. We gonna choreograph your Dawgs like some Laker Girls, baby!”

Richt wasn’t done. Dancing might be the ticket, but he couldn’t trust the outcome of a game against Auburn that might be the straw that broke the proverbial camel’s back to rest on busted moves alone.

He banked on his Hollywood wattage again and dialed up George Lucas. After 20 minutes of explaining who he was to the reclusive director he was rebuffed on his first request, but the Star Wars creator did grant the second item on Richt’s wish list. Undaunted, Richt kept dialing.

When his dealings were done, Richt sat back with a satisfied sigh.

When his Georgia Bulldogs take the field on Saturday they won’t be wearing black helmets. Nor will they don the traditional red helmets. No sir, this week, the Bulldogs will wear white helmets for the first time.

Not just any white. White Star Wars Stormtrooper helmets with the Georgia G affixed to the side.

Richt had hoped to wear the iconic black Darth Vader helmet for the game, but Lucas  denied his plea. So he did the next best thing. He called Mel Brooks.

When he takes his place on the sidelines, Richt will wear his traditional shades and headset. But instead of perfectly gelled hair, Richt will don the headgear worn by Dark Helmet in the Brooks classic Space Balls.

“It’s not Vader,” Richt told a few close associates, “but that black brim is sure to terrify the opposition.”

When Abdul and Allen arrived, Bulldog practices were closed. Unconfirmed rumor is the team will unveil an updated version of Michael Jackson’s timeless Thriller dance set to the thumping beat of the Black Eyed Peas Boom Boom Pow.

No word yet on whether Lundquist will appear as a featured performer.

Bulldog dance practice is expected to last through Friday afternoon.

At some point Saturday morning Richt will turn his attention to the gameplan. He figures that should be plenty of time.

His Bulldogs came to Auburn in 2006 with what he termed then as an “awful” game plan and spanked the Tigers out of the Top Ten 37-15.

“I was probably about as low as I have been all season,” Richt said in the aftermath of the 06 win. “I thought that was the worst thing I had ever seen. I was looking at how I could get (quarterback) Matthew Stafford some confidence and I thought this game plan was awful.”

For Auburn coach Gene Chizik, fashion choices and choreography aren’t on the agenda.

“Uniforms?” Chizik asked incredulously when the topic was broached at his weekly press conference. “What do I know about fashion? I don’t think about things like that. My wife lays my clothes out for me or else I might show up wearing one blue sock and one orange one. We’ll wear what we always wear.”

For the record, Chizik has a point. He stirred up message board speculation and a ton of Louisiana wailing earlier this season when he casually mentioned his Tigers would wear their road whites at LSU, apparently unaware that the Bayou Bengals elect to wear white jerseys at home.

“Besides, I do know some about the history here,” Chizik continued.  ”Doug Barfield dragged up orange jerseys a couple of times. Maybe even against Georgia.

“What’s Barfield doing these days? Selling cars? Making tacos? Anybody know? And that Bowden guy, he put orange backgrounds on the numbers when he was coach. What happened to him? Whacked. That’s right. It wasn’t his record or his recruiting, it was those orange number shadows that got him.

“Mess with the uniforms and you get whacked around here. Auburn fans are like baseball purists. They want things to stay the same. I know enough not to mess with that.”

Later asked if Auburn planned a special dance routine like in Michael Jackson’s Bad or Beat It videos in order to intimidate the Bulldogs, he sighed with exasperation.

“Look, fellas, I’m not some George Astaire here. We’re not going to put on Batman underwear, we’re not doing the Watusi or the funky chicken. We’re going to Athens to play a football game. We’ll do our best to block, tackle and execute our game plan against a great, great football team.”

Around the room, notebooks snapped shut. “Boring,” one reporter sniffed to his compadre. “Come on, let’s go ask Nick Saban about some referees or the attack on Pearl Harbor. That ought to be good for a laugh.”

When it comes to fashion, the only color choice Chizik really needs to be concerned with is yellow.  His Tigers are among the most penalized teams in college football.

Auburn has given opponents 24 first downs via penalty, second most in the country. More than 10% of the first downs surrendered by the Auburn defense have come by way of the yellow hanky.

That’s not news to Georgia. The Bulldogs are even more heavily penalized than the Tigers and are, in fact, the most penalized team in the SEC.

It’s a battle to watch for certain, because penalties have played a significant part in two of Auburn’s three losses.

The Bulldogs are currently riding a three-game wining streak over the Tigers. Georgia hasn’t won four in a row in this, the oldest rivalry in the Deep South, since 1948 (part of an eight-game run that ended in 1953).

Both teams have questions that seem to have no answers. Both have displayed astonishing deficiencies on defense particularly. Both have exhibited offensive meltdowns.

Turnovers will be critical.

Auburn’s wins over West Virginia and Ole Miss (the primary difference between the disaster of 2008 and the encouragement of 2009) were both fueled by turnovers.  If the defense doesn’t force changes of possession in those games both could have ended differently. Turnovers contributed heavily to shocking point totals registered against the Tigers by dinky Ball State and tiny Furman.

Turnovers by Auburn also helped bury the Tigers against Arkansas.

Despite the two-game disparity in the record, the Tigers and Bulldogs are really fairly evenly matched.

Both have offenses that can catch fire and set off an explosion of points. Both teams have defenses that have been abused at times by the opposition.

Auburn’s defense, a squad which surrendered 30 to Ball State, 30 to West Virginia, 44 to Arkansas, 30 to Furman and 24 to Mississippi State, will have problems containing the Georgia offense.

When in doubt, it’s always prudent to look to the team with the better defense but given the performances by both Auburn and Georgia in 2009, that’s a difficult call.

That leaves the intangibles.

On Saturday Richt might just be battling for his job. The Tigers are merely jostling for exceeded expectations and a better bowl berth.

In another time and place Richt’s Bulldogs shot down Auburn in Auburn. That 2003 beating spurred a clandestine plane trip intended to depose then Tiger head coach Tommy Tuberville. The coup backfired, Tuberville survived and a year later embarked on the best season in the history of Auburn football.

Six years later, an Auburn win in Athens could spur similar stirrings in the Bulldog administration and put Richt’s long Athens tenure at risk.

Forget the stats, forget the trends, forget the dancing, the jerseys and the storm trooper helmets.

This is a game the Bulldogs need to win. It’s a game the Tigers want to win. In a showdown of unpredictable and mercurial teams need trumps want.

That’s why the Bulldogs will win a close one.

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.

Oh, but couldn’t Furman catch Auburn napping, you ask? Sure. The starters probably will be napping on the sidelines in the third quarter as Tiger Heisman Trophy Winner Bo Jackson once famously did.

The only kind of nap the Tigers could take that would be enough to change the outcome of this game is a magical one like the evil queen put on Sleeping Beauty. Do you know any evil queens? Furman doesn’t either.

With little substantive to consider in regard to the outcome of the game, attention turned to the trivial.

What is a Paladin, for instance? Is a distant relative of the most attractive vice presidential nominee in American history? Sadly, no. There are no Palins in the Paladin family tree.

The Paladin were Knights of King Charlemagne’s Court. They fought in the Crusades and were featured in fairy tales from that era. So far as can be ascertained, none of them wore glasses, wore their hair in a strategically messy “up-do” or ever made any references to “hockey moms.”

Did you know that Charlemagne, King of the Franks and rival to the Byzantine Empire from 768 until his death in 814, could not write and likely could not read despite his efforts to promote learning, the arts and culture in his kindgom? He slept with wax tablets under his pillow in his later years, perhaps hoping the words written there would seep through in his sleep.

Did you know the Paladins have about as much chance of besting Auburn on Saturday afternoon as Charlemagne did learning to read by sleeping on books?

Another question. Where is Furman. An unscientific poll of the first ten golfers encountered on a course in the middle of Mississippi yielded the following guesses: Iraq, Tennessee, Wyoming, Scotland, Canada and Kentucky. Wrong on all counts.

Furman University is located in Edgefield South Carolina where it’s been since 1826.

Steve Spurrier was surprised to learn this.

Earlier in the season, the Tigers roasted another cupcake, the Ball State Cardinals. At least the Cardinals had some outstanding alumni to profile. There was Papa John, David Letterman and Janet from Three’s Company to name a few.

Furman? Not so much.

You’ve got Ben Browder, who’s apparently an actor on Farscape. Has anybody ever seen that show?

What about Thomas Goldsmith, a physicist who helped pioneer color television? Thanks for that of course, but who invented HD? That’s the question.

There’s Sanskrit scholar Maurice Bloomfield. Yawn.

Of course current South Carolina governor Mark Sanford is a former Paladin, but how many “Don’t Cry for Me, Argentina” jokes can you make before it gets old?

Did you know Argentina is home to nearly 40 million people? None of them had ever heard of Furman either.

Beth Daniel, Betsy King and Dottie Pepper are all Furman alumni. So the Paladins can turn out some quality athletes. But unless you’re familiar with the LPGA, they might as well be Daniel Boone, Betsy Ross and Dr. Pepper.

In researching Furman history there was one figure who stood out, however.

Former Saturday Night Live star Victoria Jackson is a Furman alum, attending the school on a gymnastics scholarship.

She didn’t stay a Paladin. After one year, Jackson transferred to Auburn.

She went on to meet Johnny Crawford, best known as the son of The Rifleman, whom she followed to California. There she embarked on an acting career.

She got her big break reciting poetry on the Johnny Carson show — while standing on her head. Twenty Carson appearances later, she joined the cast of Saturday Night Live where she spent six seasons and was famous for impersonations of Cindy Brady and Sally Struthers.

Jackson had a moderately successful film career, most notably starring alongside Lea Thompson in the 1988 film Casual Sex?

She’s done numerous guest shots on television series including Hollywood Squares, The X Files, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Perry Mason and Diagnosis Murder.

She’s since become a conservative voice, speaking out against Democratic candidates in general and president Barack Obama, in particular, during the 2008 election. Her outspoken nature and celebrity status led to interviews on conservative talk shows like Hannity and Colmes and The O’Reilly Factor.

The question that begs an answer, however, is how Jackson will cheer on Saturday?

Attempts to contact Jackson this week were unsuccessful so we’re left to guess to which side she’ll fall.

Will she cheer for Furman because it was her first choice? Will she root for Auburn because it was her last?

Will she shout “War Eagle” or “Hail the White and Purple”?

And will she do it while standing on her head?

Please Roof...Let my Coleman GO!

By: Kevin Strickland

A week after being punched in the face and abused like a nerd at a biker convention by the Arkansas Razorbacks, the Auburn Tigers have the opportunity to show the college football world how this team and its new coaching staff respond to adversity when the Kentucky Wildcats come calling Saturday night.

Will Auburn of 2009 self destruct and allow the misama of the Arkansas loss to pollute the remainder of the season? A loss to Vanderbilt in 2008 set in motion a chain of events that led to infighting, turmoil, mid-season firings and the first non-bowl season for the Tigers in a decade.

Or will the Tigers rebound, recover some of the offensive swagger that marked the first four games of the season and begin to find some defensive identity?

In the wake of the Arkansas debacle, Tigers coaches and players circled the wagons and said all the right things. Practice would be tougher, focus would be more intense. The loss was a learning experience and would only serve to unite the team.

If all the talk doesn’t translate to action on a cool Saturday night in Jordan Hare; if the Tigers don’t get up off the mat and donkey punch Kentucky; if the Wildcats somehow defy their 12 point Vegas spread and walk away a winner you can forget about circling the wagons. It will be time to set them on fire.

Auburn’s 5-0 start was somewhat of a mirage. It was a way-far — like one of those women who look really good from way far away. And then you get up close and wonder what the heck you could have been thinking.

Now we see what she really looks like. A mediocre Arkansas team shined a halogen-bright spotlight on Auburn’s deficiencies.

The often-abused Razorback defense looked like Chuck Norris against an Auburn offense that seemed determined to pour gasoline on itself and light the match. Four fumbles that led directly to 17 Arkansas points were fatal.

The much-maligned Auburn defense displayed in both execution and scheme that all the maligning was justified. When children yet to be born are screaming from the womb “get some pressure on Mallet” it’s pretty obvious that there was a defensive disconnect.

The book on Arkansas is pretty simple. Make Mallet move and the Hog offense struggles. Auburn defensive coordinator Ted Roof opted to rush three or four and let Mallett have time to make a ham sandwich in the pocket. Fail.

The plan against Arkansas was little different from what Auburn had done in five prior efforts. Maybe it’s time to rethink the laid back approach. Is it better to occasionally give up a big play because you’re bringing too much heat or to die a thousand dinky and dunky deaths?

Laying back worked against West Virginia’s inexperienced and athletic quarterback. It worked against Tennessee’s Jonathan Crompton who for three quarters couldn’t have completed a pass if he were throwing rolls of hundred dollar bills and the receivers were carrying fishing nets. It failed in epic fashion against Arkansas and the efficient Mallett.

The keep it all in front of you approach is unlikely to provide positive results against LSU, Ole Miss, Georgia and Alabama, all of whom dot Auburn’s October and November dance card.

That slate is why getting off the floor, fixing what needs to be fixed and drop kicking Kentucky is so vital to Auburn’s season.

Sure, Auburn will get bowl eligible with an expected win over Furman. After the 5-0 open to 2009, just making a bowl can’t help but feel like a letdown. The key to differentiating between middling mediocrity and a clear sign of revitalization under Chizik comes Saturday.

Forget the stats. Forget the numbers. Kentucky is a team Auburn has to beat.

It won’t be easy. Kentucky’s Rich Brooks is a seasoned veteran at the coaching game. The Wildcats are physical and won’t be easily intimidated.

Kentucky is 0-3 in the SEC, 2-3 overall. Auburn is 5-1, 2-1. Depending on who you listen to oddsmakers installed Auburn as the favorite by 11 to 12 points.

Don’t be fooled.

Kentucky’s three losses came to top ranked Florida, third-ranked Alabama (both undefeated) and 22nd ranked South Carolina (5-1).

Even against that slate, the Wildcats average 25 points and 167 yards rushing per game. The balanced Kentucky offense also averages 167 yards through the air per game.

South Carolina barely escaped at home, edging Kentucky 28-26. The Wildcats drilled Alabama’s formidable defense for 20 points, piling up over 300 yards in the process.

An injury to starting quarterback Mike Hartline’s last week will change the dynamic.

Hartline had thrown for nearly 800 yards and six touchdowns on the year before he went down with a knee injury. He will not play against Auburn.

There was no official word as of Thursday regarding who Kentucky would call on to replace Hartline.

Junior Will Fidler came in for Hartline against South Carolina but was just two of eight. The Wildcats could move leading wide receiver Randall Cobb to the quarterback slot, but that move would significantly limit the overall effectiveness of the offense by eliminating the team’s biggest pass-catching threat. True freshman Morgan Newton is a third possibility.

Regardless of who the Wildcats elect to put under center, it will be his first ever start at the position.

Are you listening Ted Roof? Please turn off the latest KISS CD, Sonic Boom (available exclusively at Wal Mart) that’s rocking in your headset and pay attention.

Listen closely.

Kentucky’s quarterback will be making his first ever start. He’ll do so in one of the toughest places to play in the SEC. The last thing you want to do is lay back in coverage, rush three and allow him to get comfortable.

You’ll have a second string quarterback who was second string for a reason, a true freshman who needed a redshirt season or a receiver who used to be a quarterback and will run the Wildcat staring at your defense across the line of scrimmage. You’ll have 87,000 fans trying to get into his head. Do not waste that opportunity. Turn the defense loose and let it make plays.

Auburn’s offense should be able to put points on the board. It’s time for the defense to take care of business. Take the chains off and let the Tiger defense do what it’s traditionally done best — get after somebody.

Auburn’s 5-0 start may be a mirage. So too could be Kentucky’s 2-3 start. If the schedules were reversed, odds are that the records would be as well.

If Auburn’s upswing is legitimate, the Tigers will rebound from a disjointed performance at Arkansas and wear down the Wildcats at home. If the 5-0 start was nothing but smoke and mirrors, Auburn is in for another rude awakening.

Faith remains for another week that the Tigers are, if not for real, at least wandering through the real neighborhood and checking out the houses.

The Tigers will send Kentucky to a very misleading 0-4 in the SEC and become bowl eligible to boot.

It could get ugly...

By: Kevin Strickland

Due to the potential for excessive violence and simulated sacrificial slaughter, network censors mandated a 6 p.m. kickoff for Saturday’s showdown between Auburn and Ball State. Despite the late start, the game will likely carry a parental warning. Cover your eyes, kids. What the Tigers do to the Cardinals won’t be for the squeamish.

Predicting the outcome of an upcoming game normally takes a bit of research, particularly early in the season.  For that reason, predictions normally come on Thursday, giving a few days to digest the events of the week that just transpired.

No such research is required this week.

The Auburn Tigers (3-0) will annihilate the Ball State Cardinals (0-3).

Little known fact: Joyce DeWitt, who played Janet on the 70s sitcom Three’s Company is a Ball State alumnus. Even if she and TV co-star Suzanne Sommers (in their prime) were prancing the sidelines Cardinal cheerleader outfits it wouldn’t help Ball State avoid a Saturday thrashing.

Auburn rides buoyed confidence after surviving both a monsoon and early roundhouse kicks from West Virginia 41-30 last Saturday night.

After the Mountaineers connected on a 58-yard pass on the opening series and a 71-yard run on their second possession enroute to a 14-0 first quarter lead, the Auburn defense changed tactics and denied the big play,

West Virginia managed just four plays of 20-plus yards over the remaining three and a half quarters. One of those came on the last snap of the game.

The Mountaineers were intent on making Auburn quarterback Chris Todd beat them with his arm. He did, throwing for 300 yards and four touchdowns.

While the Tigers are cresting, Ball State limps into Saturday’s meeting with more negative momentum than a Scott Baio TV pilot.

The Cardinals are reeling after three losses, one to an abysmal North Texas squad.

Ball State was a bowl team a year ago, but head coach Brady Hoke fled to San Diego State, where he is coincidentally the boss of former Auburn offensive coordinator Al Borges.

The Cardinal team that made the GMAC Bowl a year ago is also without record-setting quarterback Nate Davis, who leaped to the NFL and was drafted in the fifth round by San Francisco, as well as a handful of other significant skill players.

Little known fact: Jim Davis, cartoonist and creator of the Garfield comic strip is a graduate of Ball State.  Not even Davis could draw up a scenario where the Cardinals have a chance.

North Texas spanked Ball State 20-10 in the opener. The Mean Green followed that with a loss to Ohio (not State) and a 53-7 thrashing at Alabama.

New Hampshire shocked the Cardinals in week two 23-16. The Wildcats are 2-0 with big showdowns against Hofstra, Dartmouth and Towson coming up.  That’s right, New Hampshire is 1-AA.

Army punked Ball State 24-17 in the third week of the season. Army lost to Duke 35-19.  In football, not basketball.

Of some consolation to Cardinal fans, at least the offense is improving each week.  Ten to sixteen to seventeen.

Maybe against an Auburn defense that has struggled at times, Ball State can post 18 or even 19.

The host Tigers will likely match that in the first quarter.

It’s true you can’t do the comparative score analysis because it never works.  If it did hold true, you could pencil in a pretty convincing win by LSU over USC given the results of their respective efforts at Washington.

Wait, bad example. Who’s to say those Tigers wouldn’t clock the Trojans?  Obviously not ESPUSCN, but you have to look past their cam-crush on Pete and the men from Troy.

Back to Auburn and Ball State.

Little known fact: John Schattner, founder of the Papa John’s Pizza chain, is a graduate of Ball State’s Miller School of Business. Not even Papa John himself can deliver a Cardinal win.

Barring an unforeseen calamity of Biblical proportions, Auburn will win this game.

Since the outcome is all but pre-determined, what should Tiger fans hope to get out of the contest?

One, Auburn needs to get backup quarterback Neil Caudle some reps. Caudle fought his way to the number two slot in the signal calling pecking order and desperately needs to take significant snaps to help prepare him should he be needed in this campaign as well as to season him for his final Auburn campaign in 2010.

Two, the Tigers need to establish depth at the linebacker positions. With true freshmen and walk-ons pressed into duty, it is imperative for Auburn to get them accustomed to game speed. It’s not a matter of if they will be needed as with Caudle, but when.

Three, Auburn must see how it handles success. The win over West Virginia was emotionally draining, physically demanding and mentally challenging. Can the Tigers psych themselves up for an opponent that really offers little challenge?

Sandwiched between the revenge-motivated battle with West Virginia and a looming visit to Knoxville to face the Tennessee Volunteers, the Ball State game has all the hallmarks of a trap game.

In the past, Auburn has come out flat in similar circumstances. A week after one of the most physical, emotional games in Auburn history, a 7-3 win over LSU in 2006, the Tigers were listless against Buffalo. Auburn eventually prevailed 38-7, but the starters were unable to get the much-needed rest anticipated.

It is imperative for the Tigers to take Ball State by the throat, dominate early and let the second and third line players gain experience.

Four, Auburn must show it can handle looking ahead. Next week’s visit to Tennessee is one of four linchpins to Auburn’s season. The Rocky Top showdown grew significantly more interesting after the Volunteers tugged on Superman’s cape in the Swamp and effectively thwarted the Gator offense. Tennessee didn’t have enough offensive firepower to engineer a legitimate threat to the Florida dynasty– let’s face it, a wet firecracker has more pop — but the Vol defense sent a message.

The chess match between white-hot Auburn offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn and wizened Tennessee defensive guru Monte Kiffin will be well worth watching.

On Saturday, none of that anticipation can be in the minds or eyes of the Tigers. Take care of the business at hand first before looking to the next challenge.

Five, Auburn must develop additional weapons. Darvin Adams (three touchdown catches against West Virginia) has established himself as Auburn’s go-to receiver. Ben Tate and Onterrio McCalebb have turned the rushing game on its ear. For the Tigers to have continued success, DeAngelo Benton and Emory Blake must integrate themselves into the offense. Electric Mario Fannin needs more touches.

Ball State provides an opportunity to work on bringing more of the game to those potential game breakers.

And six, the Tiger defense must work on fundamentals. Poor tackling allowed West Virginia to gain positive yards when they should have been stopped for a loss.

Auburn can’t seem to get off the field on third down regardless of the distance. A team can’t surrender third and ten-plus yards and be successful on a consistent basis.

Little known fact: David Letterman, long time host of Late Night with David Letterman on CBS is an alumnus of Ball State. Not even Letterman can find the Top Ten reasons Ball State has a chance against the Tigers.

The last time Auburn and Ball State squared off, the result was a 63-3 Tiger win in 2006.  That Auburn team, under  Borges, averaged 32 points per game — one of only two Auburn offenses to average more than 30 points per game in the last decade.

The conservative approach once favored by the Tigers is out the window under Malzahn.

Auburn’s new offensive coordinator thrives on a fast pace.  His goal is to find creative ways to neutralize the defense, to probe for chinks in its armor and then hammer relentlessly at those cracks until the armor crumbles under the pressure. Malzahn believes every offensive possession should result in points.

That’s bad news for the Cardinals.

Little known fact:  Current Ball State coach Stan Parrish has already led his Cardinals against a Malzahn-coached offense. When Hoke abandoned Muncie for sunny California, Parrish stepped in and directed the Ball State effort in the GMAC Bowl against Tulsa, where Malzahn directed the offense.

With less talent at Tulsa than he has at his disposal at Auburn, Malzahn’s Golden Hurricane offense rolled up 45 points in a 45-13 win.

On Saturday, 45 would be merciful.

By: Kevin Strickland

Today’s West Virginia at Auburn college football preview is brought to you by the number three and the letter ‘C’.

Three was Auburn’s unlucky number in last season’s 34-17 meltdown at Morgantown where the Tigers took a 17-0 lead and then surrendered 34 unanswered points. Four times in the second half of that game, the Auburn offense went three and out, leaving its defense tired.

Three of West Virginia’s four second half scores came after the Tiger offense folded after three plays.

Since the last time the Mountaineers saw Auburn up close, the Tigers have added a handful of C’s that will make a critical difference in Saturday night’s showdown in Auburn.

C is for Confidence.

A year ago West Virginia caught Auburn at an opportune moment. The Tony Franklin offensive experiment imploded the week before and the beleagured offensive coordinator had been fired after six games.

The Tiger offense had little direction, zero creativity and even less confidence.

That’s no longer the case. Through the first two games of the season, the Auburn offense  is brimming with confidence. The Tiger offense that looked lost and confused is now brash and focused.

C is for creativity.

After taking advantage of a few short field opportunities to take the early lead a year ago, the offense went into a shell. Of six second half series, four followed exactly the same script: Rush wide left, rush wide right, incomplete short pass attempt, punt.

The only exception was a 12-play drive that provided Auburn’s only first downs of the half and ended in a short missed field goal.

That field goal attempt came on the last play of the third quarter with the Tigers trailing just 20-17 at the time.

Auburn posted just eight plays a year ago against West Virginia that covered more than ten yards. Three of those plays came on the first Tiger drive. Three of the eight were quarterback scrambles.

Auburn’s offense was predictable.

This is no longer the case. The Tiger offense is aggressive and unpredictable. It attacks from multiple formations.

A receiver leads the team in touchdowns, but hasn’t caught a pass. He has thrown a few, however, including one scoring toss.

Offensive linemen have lined up as wide receivers. So have quarterbacks.

The term creative only scratches the surface of what this Auburn offense is about.

C is for continuity.

The Auburn defense grew tired in the second half and faded down the stretch a year ago. That allowed the Mountaineers to feed the Tigers a steady diet of Noel Devine and break their will.

Four of Auburn’s second half possessions used up less than 1:45 on the clock. One burned 2:20. One covered just over four minutes.

Four of those series gained less than seven total yards.

When a team forces the defense back on the field when its barely had time to catch its breath, the results are rarely positive.

The key to keeping West Virginia in check is for Auburn’s offense to give its defense ample time to re-energize.

Auburn won’t go into an offensive shell against the Mountaineers on Saturday. The three-and-out series that paved the way for the WVU surge won’t likely be there.

Only once in two games has the Tiger offense failed to stay on the field for at least five plays in a non-scoring drive. It’s worth noting that the three-and-out series in the second quarter of the Mississippi State game immediately preceded a Bulldog scoring drive.

Offensive continuity will flip the script for Auburn and allow the defense to deny West Virginia as it did through most of three quarters a year ago — even when the Mountaineers had Pat White at quarterback.

Continuity is lacking for West Virginia. The Mountaineers staved off Liberty in the opener and then rolled in the second half on an East Carolina team that was also shut out in the second half by Appalachian State.

C is for coordinator

A year ago, Auburn didn’t really have an offensive coordinator. With Franklin barely out the door his seat was filled by committee and the results were bland and ineffective.

The second half meltdown at Morgantown went a long way toward shoving ten-year veteran coach Tommy Tuberville through that same door two months later.

One of the smartest things new Auburn head coach Gene Chizik did after he was hired was bring in Tulsa offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn.

The offense under Malzahn has completely reinvented itself. No longer staid and stodgy, Malzahn’s offense has flair.

It put up 42 of 49 points against Mississippi State and narrowly missed breaking the 600 yard barrier.

For the first time in school history two backs topped 100 yards and a receiver gained more than 100 yards in the same game.

For the first time in school history, a freshman ball carrier posted back-to-back 100 yard games, even more impressive when you consider an Auburn running back lineage that includes Heisman Trophy winner Bo Jackson as well as Joe Cribbs, Rudi Johnson, Carnell Williams, Ronnie Brown, James Brooks, Lionel James, Brent Fullwood and Stephen Davis.

For the first time in school history, two backs (Onterrio McCalebb and Ben Tate) each rushed for more than 100 yards in consecutive games.

Setting offensive records is nothing new for Malzahn. Neither is scoring points.

Only six times in the last three seasons has a Malzahn-coached team been held to under 30 points.

As the Mountaineers surrendered twenty to both Liberty and East Carolina, there’s good reason to believe that Malzahn can coax another 30-plus game out of Auburn.

If the Tigers top 35, they’re virtually invicible. The last time Auburn lost when scoring more than 30 points? November 11, 1996. That game took four overtimes.

C is for Crowd

Last year Auburn went on the road to Morgantown and faced a fired up Mountaineer fanbase. This year West Virginia travels to Jordan-Hare.

Don’t think that makes a difference?  Since 2000, Auburn is 48-13 at home.  Jordan-Hare is tradionally one of the more difficult places to play and with a crowd  appetite fueled by unprecedented offensive exploits, the atmosphere should weigh heavily in Auburn’s favor.

C is for Cold

Don’t forget the weather. A year ago Auburn faced frigid weather on the road.  Tigers don’t do cold.

No chance of frigidity on Saturday where 80-degree temperatures and a slight chance of rain is forecast.  The humidity will be a factor, but it won’t have as great an impact since the game will be held under the lights.

C is for the combination of all of the above

The mix is simply right for a Tiger win. Auburn’s defense held a better West Virginia team at bay for most of three quarters a year ago. The majority of that defense returned.

Had Wes Byrum connected on a makeable field goal on the last play of the third quarter, the teams would have entered the final stanza tied at 20-all.

The Auburn offense simply couldn’t muster enough spark to keep the fading defense off the field and the negative results were obvious.

With new offensive coordinator Malzahn calling the shots, that lack of production is unlikely to repeat. It’s too much to expect Auburn to continue to post mind-boggling, record-shattering numbers, but the new and improved Tigers should have more than enough in the tank to provide the two critical elements needed for an Auburn win: score points and keep the defense off the field.

By:  Kevin Strickland 

As the Auburn Tigers stand on the precipice of their first season under new head coach Gene Chizik, there is a palpable sense of unease among the Tiger faithful.

The sting of a 5-7 season and the turmoil of a coaching search has barely faded. Questions over Chizik’s suitability for the job linger, especially in light of his 5-19 debacle at Iowa State.

Nervousness over Gus Malzhan’s implementation of a new spread-based offense, after last season’s botched spread experiment with Tony Franklin failed so miserably, bubbles under the surface.

Concerns about depth dog the team, particularly on defense, where an injury to a linebacker or defensive back could potentially promote a green freshman or untested walkon to the front lines.

Worries about Chris Todd’s ability to lead the offense after his injury-addled self-destruction in 2008 persist.

So, too do the naysayers.  Most predict Auburn to finish with three to six wins. Few peg Auburn as a bowl team.  Is that really all Auburn fans have to look forward to?

In another article on this site, it was noted that a three-win inagural season under Chizik would be completely unacceptable.

If three is out of the question, what then would be an acceptable number for Chizik? What would show that he isn’t in over his head as Auburn coach?

For Chizik that magic number is seven.

A quality coach will win every game in which his team has greater front-line talent than the opponent.  Auburn has four such games this season:

Louisiana Tech
Mississippi State
Ball State
Furman

New Coach Gene Chizik will lead the Tigers out on the field this Saturday.

Anything less than 4-0 against that slate is a definite red flag. 

A competent coach should win at least half the games against teams with relatively equal talent. 

There are three, possibly four, teams on Auburn’s schedule that meet that criteria:

West Virginia
Kentucky
Tennessee
Arkansas

A quality coach will win at least 25 percent of the games against teams with supposedly superior talent, games where coaching prowess trumps the disparity in skill.

Auburn has at least four games on the schedule which fit that bill:

LSU
Ole Miss
Georgia
Alabama

West Virginia could slip into the greater talent pool and Ole Miss could potentially be considered as having equal talent, but the basic premise remains.

In addition, a competent coach should win at least a third of his road games. Auburn has four road games in 2009:

at Knoxville (Tennessee)
at Fayetteville (Arkansas)
at Baton Rouge (LSU), and
at Athens (Georgia)

Mix up the formula and you come out with a solid seven.

Chizik’s Tigers should win four against lesser competition, split the bill against equal foes for two more wins, pick up a win against one of the teams with “better talent” and earn at least one of those on the road.

Seven wins is Chizik’s magic number. Anything less should be reason for concern. 

Anything more? A reason for celebration.

By: Kevin Strickland

Since Gene Chizik’s controversial hiring in December, Tiger fans have intently watched his progress, looking for signs that the malaise that plagued the program in the second half of 2008 will evaporate under his leadership.

We’ve seen him assemble a staff, meet with the media, recruit, make personnel decisions, deal with staff issues, handle disciplinary matters, and manage practices.

What we haven’t seen is how that will all translate to the field.

In five short days, Chizik will finally get the chance to show what his Auburn team can do where it counts. Everything he’s done since arriving in Auburn in December built toward this moment.

In the end, Chizik will be judged on how well his team performs, in terms of intangibles like effort and intensity, yes, but primarily on wins and losses.

It really doesn’t matter how well he dresses. It makes no difference what kind of press conference he runs. Whether he’s a great disciplinarian or passes out ice cream cones for drug and gun possession is of little consequence. It won’t matter whether he recruits in a limo or on a four-wheeler.

He can be an Armani suit-wearing, GQ cover model who makes the press swoon, is considered a father figure by his players, and recruits in a Lear jet.

He can be a petulant mini-tyrant who snaps at the media, wears a rumpled jumpsuit, and drives around in a 1940 Ford.

Few will care if the job gets done.

All that matters is whether Gene Chizik can win at Auburn.

Since arriving in Auburn, Chizik has done many things right. Most of his decisions, to this point, seem considered and deliberate.

With kickoff just days away, here are the good, the bad, and the ugly from Chizik’s first nine months.

The Good

Chizik’s staff was decisive in naming a starting quarterback and established a clear hierarchy.

When former Auburn offensive coordinator Tony Franklin toyed with the media a year ago, refusing to name a starter and then unveiling his co-starter surprise on the Jumbotron before the first game, even the most unaware observer knew there were major issues.

Franklin’s refusal to name a clear starter stunted the development of both quarterbacks. Chizik not only named a starter, but he also named his backup. There are no questions, and the rest of the team knows where to look for a leader.

The Bad

The starter is Chris Todd. Haven’t we seen this movie before? Yes, his shoulder has supposedly been healed by surgery. Yes, he’s supposed to have a solid grasp of the game. But Todd looked abysmal far more often than he looked competent a year ago.

His fundamentals were poor. His speed is timed on a calendar. You can’t pin that all on a shoulder injury.

The Ugly

Todd unseated both Kodi Burns, once thought to be the heir apparent, and Neil Caudle despite both quarterbacks having all spring and summer to work on their game. It only took Todd nine practices to do so. Burns has been taken out of the quarterback rotation altogether.

Where Auburn once thought it had six quarterbacks, the truth is the team may have none.

The Good

Chizik has not brought Auburn negative press with his public comments as Lane Kiffin did at Tennessee. He’s remained low-key and largely out of the public eye.

The Bad

Chizik never really says much of anything when he does speak. His public comments are typically cliché-riddled and provide little insight. His performance at SEC media days was universally panned as boring.

The Ugly

Too often Chizik professes not to know about specific situations about which he should have knowledge, particularly injury progress and player status. He occasionally provides vague answers that either contradict what players and assistant coaches have already said or simply don’t address the issue at hand.

He would be better served to simply refuse to discuss certain situations than to make coy or misleading comments. Those only open the door to speculation.

The Good

Chizik’s coaching staff made news with out of the box thinking in terms of recruiting. The limousine tour, initially panned, received grudging praise when it did bring positive attention to the school. The “Big Cat” weekend drew more attention to Auburn and helped bring a bevy of sought after recruits to campus.

The Bad

Despite the initial splash, Auburn’s recruiting efforts have yet to land a true difference maker—the kind of recruit who can start a snowball effect. In the aftermath of the recruiting events there was rampant speculation that one or more of the bigger targets would commit and help bring momentum. That never materialized.

The Ugly

Recruiting is no longer a February enterprise. Most major schools already have the vast majority of their recruiting classes committed and are waiting on a few of the bigger names to round out the class and give them an added boost at the finish line. Auburn currently has 14 commits on the Rivals board.

Six SEC programs—LSU, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, and South Carolina—rank ahead of the Tigers. Those six have an average of 16.5 commits. If recruiting ended today, Auburn would be outside the top 25, its worst finish in more than a decade, and trailing every primary rival.

If none of the major targets remaining on the Tiger board come through, the picture could be even bleaker.

The Good

When running back Eric Smith was involved in a parking lot altercation and charged with assault, Chizik apparently took proactive steps. Smith was not at practice, and it is not known when, or if, he will be back with the team.

This punitive action directly contrasted events at Auburn’s chief rival Alabama, where coach Nick Saban praised Courtney Upshaw as a “fine young man” and allowed him to remain at practice after he assaulted a female acquaintance.

In the long term, the willingness to do what’s right for the player and the team far outweighs the all-consuming desire to win at any cost. In the end, turning out quality individuals with a respect for the rules of society is a far greater calling than winning a football game.

The Bad

Auburn players rarely make the news for off-field incidents. In the 10 years of previous coach Tommy Tuberville’s tenure, you could count the number of incidents like this on one hand.

It’s troubling for Smith to be in that situation and put his career at risk.

Chizik, although he clearly addressed the situation and has held Smith out of practice, allowed the rumor mill to percolate because he did not adequately explain his method of handling Smith’s arrest, including when or if he would be back with the team.

The Ugly

Information on Smith’s arrest leaked out slowly and led to much rampant (and much incorrect) speculation.

The Good

Chizik hired a quality staff, arguably as good as any in the SEC.

The Bad

No one on the staff has ever worked together, so there’s no way to tell how well the individual ingredients will mesh. It’s clichéd, but also true, that a staff is only as good as the man in charge, and even the most ardent Auburn fan must admit there are reservations about Chizik’s capabilities as a head coach.

The Ugly

No matter how good the new staff is, it doesn’t have a full hand. Published reports indicate as few as 75 scholarship players on the roster. The linebacking corps is so thin that walk-ons could man backup roles and see significant playing time. Even the best coaches have to have competent bodies.

The Good

Auburn starts its schedule with four straight home games, and all four are winnable. A 4-0 start could do wonders for the team psyche.

The Bad

All four games are also losable. Louisiana Tech is a capable team coached by Derek Dooley, promoted by some Auburn fans as a replacement for Tuberville.

There’s no way to speculate what kind of product Mississippi State will put on the field, but the Bulldogs haven’t been an easy mark for the Tigers in recent seasons. West Virginia is missing Pat White, but the Noel Devine who carved up the Auburn defense last season remains. Ball State went bowling a year ago and shouldn’t be overlooked. Auburn can’t overlook anyone at this point.

The Ugly

The Tigers must get off to a good start. If Auburn doesn’t start at least 3-1, the wheels could come off quickly. Three of the next four games are on the road. Chizik has never coached a road team to a victory.

Picking up his first career road win in Knoxville, Baton Rouge, or Fayetteville is a tall order. Throw in a home game against Kentucky between trips to Arkansas and Louisiana, and you’re looking at a four-game stretch that is truly make or break.

Auburn can’t afford to be 2-2 heading into a two-game road swing.

The season opener against Louisiana Tech is Saturday.

Before the month’s out we’ll have a much better idea if Chizik’s Auburn tenure will be good, bad, or ugly.

By: Brian Kleisley

In my SEC East preview, I said that the SEC Champion and Potential BCS Champion would come from the Eastern Division (if you didn’t read part 1 or have been in a coma for the last few weeks, it’s the Florida Gators).  However, from top to bottom, the tougher division will likely be the Western Division, where all 3 of the top teams have a legitimate shot at facing Florida in the SEC championship game.

Ole Miss Rebels: (7-1 SEC; 11-1 Overall)

2009 Predicted Finish

Ole Miss is one of those teams that will either be very successful or will morph into the 2008 Georgia Bulldogs.  I happen to think they will be successful, much to my dismay and despite my hatred of all things Houston Nutt.  Reasons why…well, for one thing, they return 9 on offense and 8 on defense from a squad that went 9-4 last year, including a thrilling bowl victory over a tough Texas Tech team.  The players they did lose (draft, graduation etc.) were not big losses.  The most important returning player is Texas high school star QB Jevan Snead, along with 2008 All Conference WR Dexter McCluster.  The Rebels also have a decent defensive squad to help out with their quest for an SEC Championship. Their defense in 2008 ranked 19th in Total Defense allowing only 307.23 ypg and 20th in scoring defense allowing an average of 19 ppg.  Alabama and LSU stand in their way; however, I think Nutt and the Rebels will come out victorious. 

Predicted Losses: Arkansas

Games on the Fence: Oct 10 vs. Alabama, Oct 24th vs Arkansas, not many have made it through an entire SEC schedule unscathed; Arkansas will be Paris’s arrow, Nov. 21 vs LSU

Underrated: The Nutt Factor 

MVP: QB Jevan Snead 

LSU Tigers (5-3 SEC; 9-3 Overall)
The Hat returns for his 5th year on the Bayou, and he’s bringing with him big RB- Charles Scott and WR- Brandon LaFell.  2008 was a rough year for Miles and Bayou Tigers, ending 2008 with the record of 8-5 with all 5 losses coming against SEC opponents, including an OT thriller to Alabama. Will 2009 be like 2008 (a disappointment) or more like 2007 (12-2 and a BCS National Championship)? The answer lies somewhere in-between.  Miles has continued to stock pile top ranked recruits at LSU year in and year out, now we just need to find out whether he’s all hat and no cattle.  Returning the likes of Scott and LaFell certainly don’t hurt, but LSU’s road to the championship is paved with too many potholes in the name of Georgia, Florida, Alabama, and Ole Miss.  The key to LSU’s season will be the play of its quarterbacks or, more specifically, smoothing out the erratic play of its quarterbacks.  If they get any kind of consistency at the QB position, watch out college football world.

Predicted Losses: Florida, Ole Miss, Arkansas

Games on the Fence: Oct 3 at Georgia, Nov. 7th at Alabama, Nov. 21 at Ole Miss if LSU has made it this far with only one SEC loss, look to this date to decide the Western Champ, Nov 28th vs. Arkansas 

Underrated: Consistent QB play 

MVP: RB-Charles Scott

Alabama Crimson Tide: (5-3 SEC; 8-4 Overall)
You have no idea how hard it is for an Auburn fan to predict good things for the Crimson Tide.  Unfortunately, they have a good coach, and even though they have some question marks on the offensive side of the ball they return a majority of past players on defense.  The realistic view is that the Tide will feature a “NASTY” defense for 2009, pretty much the same defense that ranked #7 in 2008 allowing 14.29 ppg and lead the Tide to a 12-0 start and an (albeit brief) #1 ranking last year.  Amongst the 9 returning starters for the Tide defense are 1st team All-SEC picks DL-Terrence Cody, LB-Rolando McClain, and DB-Javier Arenas.  The unrealistic view is that the Tide will again appear in the SEC Championship game.  While it is possible for them to make it, the losses of QB-John Parker Wilson, C-Antoine Caldwell, G-Marlon Davis, and T-Andre Smith will prove to be too much to overcome and the Tide will play second fiddle in this year’s Championship tune.

Predicted Losses: Virginia Tech, Ole Miss, LSU, Auburn 

Games on the Fence: Sept 5th vs. Virginia Tech (Atlanta), Nov. 7th vs. LSU, and Nov. 27th at Auburn- Iron Bowl = Throw out the records. 

Underrated: K- Leigh Tiffin 

MVP: DB- Javier Arenas

Auburn Tigers (4-4 SEC; 8-4 Overall)

Will Chizik, Roof and Malzahn give Auburn a New Hope?

A new season begins on the Plains, and for the first time since 1998, Tommy Tuberville won’t be running out of the tunnel and onto the field.  Last year was a tough one for Tuberville and the Auburn Tigers, ending the season 5-7 and eliminated from bowl contention.  Right or wrong, new Head Coach Gene Chizik has taken the reins as Tuberville’s successor and brings a new hope tinged with uncertainty to Jordan-Hare Stadium.  The first thing Coach Chizik must do is find a way to truly turn this disjointed collection of players into a team.  Last year’s team found it difficult to stay focused during games, especially when things got rough, and this led to a pervasive sense of hopelessness.  By the end of the season, the team for the most part, just gave up.  Building a cohesive unit, and getting them to stick together through thick and thin is not a task so easily accomplished, considering Auburn’s schedule and lack of depth in key positions.  The Tigers must play in 11 straight games before finally getting some much needed R&R before the season ending Iron Bowl.  On offense the Tigers return 6 from 2008 and what can only be described as a disaster of an offensive scheme.  Those 6 including new starters, WR- DeAngelo Benton, WR- Terrell Zachery and true freshman RB- Onterio McCalebb hope to star in OC Gus Malzahan’s new system.  A rebuilt Chris Todd keeps the reins as QB1 and with a plethora of new targets and a new shoulder should have this offense producing more than 3 points.  On the opposite side of the ball, the Tigers are poised to again be one of the top rated SEC defenses. With the return of Senior Antonio Coleman -DE and newcomer Eltoro Freeman -LB this defense should help keep the Tigers close in all of their games. The offense just needs to put numbers on the board.  While they won’t be world beaters this year, a new coaching staff and some consistency should allow the Tigers to get back on track and hopefully looking for a New Year’s Day Bowl game.

Predicted Losses: Tennessee, LSU, Ole Miss, Georgia 

Games on the Fence: Oct 3 vs. Tennessee, Oct 24th  at LSU – If  Auburn can stay healthy they could be riding a nice winning streak to this point, win this game and all bets are off, Nov. 28th vs Alabama 

Underrated: New beefier Offensive Line 

MVP: RB/WR Mario Fannin

Arkansas Razorbacks (4-4 SEC; 8-4 Overall)
Can Coach Bobby Petrino turn the Hawgs around in his second season?  The man can coach and has been a hot commodity wherever he has gone.  A 41-9 record at Louisville is a testament to that.  He has also not been without controversy (see 2003 Auburn Jetgate and the 2007 Atlanta Falcons).  This year will be different for Petrino and the Hogs though.  All of the controversy is behind him, and he has the Razorbacks headed in the right direction.  No one is talking about Arkansas and that’s dangerous, for they might just have some good things going for them.  The biggest player on any team is still the quarterback, and on this Arkansas team that definitely rings true.  At 6’7” (5 star rated) Ryan Mallett could be the next Brian Brohm for Petrino and company. From what I’ve read he has one of the strongest arms in college football and for a coach that loves to spread the field. That might be just what the doctor ordered.

Can Mallett win for the Hogs?

Predicted Losses: Georgia, Alabama, Auburn, Florida

Games on the Fence: Sept 26 at Tuscaloosa, Oct 10th vs. Auburn, Oct 24th at Ole Miss win this game and it could be enough of a confidence booster to finish the season strong, Nov 28th at LSU

Underrated: WR’s

MVP: QB- Ryan Mallett

Mississippi State Bulldogs (2-6 SEC; 6-6 Overall)
A guy named Dan Mullen takes over the reins for Sylvester Croom.  Mullen’s credentials?  He was the man that got to talk to Tim Tebow via a headset.  Mullen, who has been with Urban Meyer since his Utah days, has much rebuilding to do at State. Starting on the offensive side of the ball, last season’s QB play was sporadic at best and QB Tyson Lee will need to step up and become a playmaker.  The good thing for Lee he has a mentor in Mullen, who has plenty of experience with some highly rated QB’s.  Behind Lee are RB’s Anthony Dixon and Christian Ducre, both equally dangerous and poised to be a great one-two punch against tiring defenses.  Speaking of defenses, Mississippi State’s usually strong defense was a bit weak last year, especially when it came to stopping the run.  Ranking 73rd in the nation and giving up an average of 150 ypg on the ground does not bode well in a “run-first” conference. Best case scenario for this year will be getting back to a bowl game, and I think Coach Mullen could be the man to do just that.

Predicted Losses: Auburn, LSU, Florida, Alabama, Arkansas, Ole Miss

Games on the Fence: Sept. 12th at Auburn, first SEC game for both new coaches, winning this game sets the tone for 2009, Oct. 3rd vs. Georgia Tech, Nov 21 at Arkansas

Underrated: QB Tyson Lee

MVP: RB Anthony Dixon

Disagree with me, let’s discuss why you’re wrong… HERE

I decided to finally write for my own front page.  Since I am jonesing for some football, I give you the 1^st annual Godfather Previews the SEC.  Who, you might be asking, is the Godfather and why should we care about his SEC preview.  To answer those questions I am the Godfather (find out why in our forums) and I don’t really care whether you like my SEC preview or not.  I am not however a talking head or media person, I have no insider knowledge, I am a regular guy just like you, who runs this board for fun and really enjoys College Football.  So, with introductions out of the way, I shall begin.

I’ll start with the Eastern Division, where as much as it pains me to say, will contain the SEC Champion and possibly the National Champion, once again. 

Predicted 2009 Finishes

Florida Gators: (8-0 SEC; 12-0 Overall)

With the return of Superman, aka Tim Tebow (a man-child whom I think even Chuck Norris is scared of) for his Senior and final year (Of course if CBS, I’m looking at you Vern, has anything to say about it he might get 4 more years of eligibility) the Gators are set-up to make a repeat at the SEC Championship and National Title.  How can anyone argue with this?  The Gators return 8 on Offense and 11 on Defense. Forget about Tebow and the offensive train Coach Urban Meyer captains, this Gator team is returning 11 Starters from a defense that Ranked 9^th in the country last year in yards allowed per game (285.29). This is just one of the reasons I still cannot believe that DC Charlie Strong is not a head coach somewhere.  Reviewing the Gators schedule this year and believing that most SEC teams are still rebuilding / revamping, I just don’t see them falling to anyone.

 Predicted Losses: None 

Games on the Fence: Oct 10 at LSU, Death Valley is a dangerous place to play, the Gators have a week off before. I see no problems.

Underrated: Coach Charlie Strong

MVP: Who else: Superman!!

Georgia Bulldogs: (6-2 SEC; 8-4 Overall)

Georgia is a bit of a wild card.  With his Motor still running David Pollack and David Greene have finally left Georgia, wait what?  Just kidding!!! Who is gone though is #1 draft pick Matthew Stafford and star running back Knowshon Moreno. Coach Mark Richt has been at Georgia for awhile now and he has had some high profile Georgia teams. I’m just not convinced that this team will be one of those.  The Bulldogs return 7 on Offense and 7 on Defense from a 2008 team that most folks regarded to be the #1 preseason team in the country.  In reality they were schizophrenic at best.  That being said, Richt recruits well and I fully expect this team to be in the hunt for most games. I said 8-4 they could just as easily be 10-2 like I said wild card!

Predicted Losses: Oklahoma State, LSU, Florida, Georgia Tech

Games on the Fence: Sept 5^th at Oklahoma State = game on the road with new starting QB a couple of WR’s and RB….against a strong opponent…yikes. Oct 3^rd vs. LSU, and Nov. 28^th at Georgia Tech.

Underrated: QB Joe Cox

MVP: WR A.J. Green

South Carolina Gamecocks (3-5 SEC; 7-5 Overall)

The Ol’ Ball Coach returns for his 5^th season in Columbia, and to say he has made the team significantly better is up for debate.  He made some big staff changes in the off season hoping to help shore up his offensive line and rushing game.  Last year South Carolina ranked 112 in the nation in offensive rushing production.  Despite Spurrier’s air attack it still takes a running game in the powerhouse SEC to get wins.  The Defense was another beast, although crumbling at the end of 2008 they were the backbone of the team and kept them in most games, late into the 4^th quarter.  Look for a repeat of 2008 with the Gamecocks holding teams till the end, only to lose due to depth. I expect a lot of thrown visors and/or clipboards.

Predicted Losses: Georgia, Ole Miss, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida

Games on the Fence: Oct 31 at Tennessee otherwise known as the game for third place.  Nov 7^th at Arkansas

Underrated: New Offensive Line Coach Eric Wolford

MVP: LB Eric Norwood

Tennessee Volunteers (3-5 SEC; 6-6 Overall)

Longtime Coach Phil Fulmer is gone; new big mouthed Coach Lane Kiffin is in.  If these Tennessee Vols can play half as good as he boasts look for them to challenge for the title…not!  While this squad will be improved over last years team, there is still to much rebuilding left to do.  Other than his mouth Kiffin does seem to have this team headed in the right direction. He has amassed an impressive staff including one of the best defensive minds ever Monte Kiffin or “Daddy” as Lane calls him. He also seems to be using his mouth to good use, somewhat, signed Pahokee while on the recruiting trail as he has already signed some big name recruits. However, the best part of this 2008 team is also its biggest reason I think that they will stumble in 2009. The Vols return only 5 starters on a defense squad that was ranked 3^rd in the Nation and 1^st in the SEC. The schedule doesn’t help either as it is probably the toughest in the SEC. 

Will Rico McCoy continue to dominate for the 2009 Vols?

 

Predicted Losses: UCLA, Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, Ole Miss

Games on the Fence: Oct 3^rd vs. Auburn could be a big battle and the deciding factor as to how these teams end up, Oct 31 vs. South Carolina

Underrated: Defensive Line

MVP: LB Uncle Rico McCoy

 Vanderbilt Commodores (1-7 SEC; 5-7 Overall)

Much of the defense returns from this surprisingly tough Vandy team that finished 7-6 last year including a Music City Bowl win.  However, I don’t think they will be as tough this year, especially after losing Chris Nickson’s feet.  We are talking about a Vandy offense that ranked 117^th in the nation, on the bright side they can only go up from there. The defense on the other hand was ranked 30^th and was the heart of this team. Even though they do return 9 defensive starters the losses of Reshard Langford-SS and D.J. Moore-CB will be too much to fill and the hopes of a second consecutive bowl game…will be down the bowl.

Predicted Losses: LSU, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Georgia, S. Carolina, Florida, Tennessee

Games on the Fence: Oct 31^st vs. Georgia Tech, Nov. 14^th vs. Kentucky- or the game that decides last place in the Eastern Division.

Underrated: Wide Receivers

MVP: LB Patrick Benoist

Kentucky Wildcats (0-8 SEC; 4-8 Overall)

Kentucky does have one thing going for it, no new coaches.  A lot of the SEC previews I have read seem to think Kentucky might be strong this season, I disagree.  Outside of Tennessee I think that Kentucky has one of the toughest schedules in the conference. Not only that but, Kentucky also lost the best player they’ve had since Jared “fatboy” Lorenzen in player Dicky Lyons.  Don’t misunderstand me I still think Kentucky will be competitive, nor do I think they won’t be in games. However,  playing 11 games in a row without a bye, well, anyone who knows the SEC will tell you that does not equal success. My prediction no bowling for Kentucky this holiday season.

Predicted Losses: Florida, Alabama, South Carolina, Auburn, Mississippi State, Vanderbilt, Georgia, Tennessee

Games on the Fence: Oct 31^st vs. Mississippi State this could be the turning point in Kentucky’s season, win this game and a bowl game is very possible, Nov. 14^th vs. Vanderbilt

Underrated: QB Mike Hartline

MVP: LB Micah Johnson 

Tomorrow: The wild, wild Western Division and our beloved Auburn Tigers.