It Looks To Be Average At Best For Auburn In 2009

by Jay Coulter on Jul 20, 2009 1:00 AM CDT in Football

Will Kodi Burns be the one to lead Auburn this season?

By now I'm sure many of you have read every preseason publication for sale at Books-A-Million. As we've talked before, rarely are these magazines accurate in predicting how the season will play out. Yet as I sit in my home office and look on the floor, I count seven of them at my feet.

I've been hooked on Athlon's Southeastern since the mid-1970's when my father gave me my first copy. Before the internet, it was one of the year's highlights. The sight of those first guides on magazine stands meant football season was close.

In recent years, with the growing popularity of web sites, much of the luster has been taken off this annual ritual. But even in a down economy, by my count I have rung up sales north of $50 for information that's readily available for free on the internet. Call me old school or stupid - or both.

Many years the outlook for Auburn is all over the board - some publications have the Tigers high, some in the middle and a few take the half empty approach. This year there's consensus. Nobody expects much from Gene Chizik. The most optimistic have Auburn going .500 and unfortunately that's about where I see it.

The good news is I'm terrible in the prediction department. But like always, I'll again give it the ole college try. Without further ado, here's my quick take on the 2009 Auburn Football season...

Louisiana Tech (Sept. 8) - Like we talked last week, look for Derek Dooley to bring his Bulldogs to Jordan-Hare Stadium and give Gus Malzahn's offense everything it can handle. In the end, talent and emotion carry the day. Auburn 24-14

Miss State (Sept. 12) - It's safe to say that more than five points will be scored in this year's contest. New Bulldog coach Dan Mullen will find it's hard to run Florida's offense without Tim Tebow and Percy Harvin. Auburn 31-17

West Virginia (Sept. 19) - This game goes a long way in determining Auburn's bowl chances. The Mountaineers return five on offense and seven on defense. Auburn must again contend with running back Noel Devine. This is a very winnable game for the Tigers. Auburn 27-24

Ball State (Sept. 26) - Don't let last year's Cardinal record (12-2) fool you. Ball State return only 11 starters and have lost to SEC schools by an average of 27 points over the years. Auburn 28-14

At Tennessee (Oct. 3) - This is another one of those toss up games. The trip to Knoxville has the potential for success with both teams evenly matched talent wise. However, this early in the season you have to go with Volunteer defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin over Malzahn's offense. Tennessee 21-17

At Arkansas (Oct. 10) - With a more experience receiving corp and senior running back Michael Smith back and healthy, it's likely going to be a rough trip to Fayetteville. To make matters worse, Bobby Petrino returns 10 starters on defense. Look for the Hogs to beat Auburn at home for the first time since 2001. Arkansas 35-17

Kentucky (Oct. 17) - This is not your daddy's Kentucky that visits Auburn in mid-October. Under Rich Brooks the Wildcats have won three consecutive bowl games and are capable of beating anyone on any given Saturday. This contest will likely be closer than expected; but look for Auburn to notch its 16 consecutive win over Kentucky. Auburn 28-24

At LSU (Oct. 24) - The Auburn-LSU series has become one of the most exciting rivalries in all of college football. Look for the excitement to take a year off. LSU 35-14

Ole Miss (Oct. 31) - This game has SCARE written all over it for the Rebels. If you are Houston Nutt you have to be worried about a potential Halloween disaster. The favorite to win the SEC West should have its hands full for three quarters before pulling away. Ole Miss 35-24

Furman (Nov. 7) - The Tigers likely grab their last win of the season in a snooze fest. This is the game to bring the whole family. Everyone will have room to spread out. Auburn 42-14

At Georgia (Nov. 14) - It's likely that Georgia's Mark Richt will be feeling some pressure after big losses to Oklahoma State, LSU and Florida. As always this is a big game for both teams -even if there are no conference ramifications. In the end, look for the Dawgs to collect their fourth straight over Auburn. One of the friendliest rivalries in college football begins to turn decidedly ugly. Georgia 28-17

Alabama (Nov. 27) - Auburn limps in to the Friday edition of the Iron Bowl and the results are not pretty. Nick Saban and crew prove to be too much for Chizik's first Auburn team. Alabama 34-17

By my calculations that leaves Auburn at 6-6 for the year and eligible for bowl play. Sure it's likely to be Shreveport or Birmingham, but at least it's a trip. As you can see, there are several big games that will go a long way in determining whether this year is a winner or not.

Your thoughts?

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Comments

I think we beat Tennessee, and have a chance against Ole Miss. Georgia is a toss up, if we can get our QB situation sorted out, or at least get a package of plays together for a run-first offense with Kodi, and a pass-first with either Caudle or Todd.

And, as usual, the Bama game can go either way depending on the phase of the moon, what the Gypsy woman sees in her crystal ball, and who knows what else.

by KungFuPanda9 on Jul 20, 2009 5:01 AM CDT reply actions

I have AU going 6-6 as well.

I predicted the exact same games, except I have AU losing to La Tech and beating Ole Miss.

by LSU Jonno on Jul 20, 2009 8:24 AM CDT reply actions

Haha

You actually think Auburn’s going to beat Furman 42-14??? They held VA Tech to 21 pts last year. They also now have UCLA’s transfer QB Chris Forcier as well as a WR transfer from TN. Auburn will likely win, but not by 4 TD’s.

by Nick9 on Jul 20, 2009 10:48 AM CDT reply actions

i was a little more optimistic with my predictions for the 09 Tigers…but 6-6 does seem the most logical, with a trip to some lousy bowl game to play a Conference USA team. regardless i just don’t believe in Ole Miss and i think Auburn can take care of the Rebels at home on Halloween. the other winable games are Tennessee and Georgia (it’s just hard for me to believe Auburn could lose to the Dawgs 4 years in a row).

by suicidewatch on Jul 20, 2009 10:52 AM CDT reply actions

I think we.....

Beat UT in knoxville and UGA and win at least one against LSU, Ole Miss and Arkansas. We beat Bama at home to finish the season 9-3 or 10-2 if we manage an additional win which is entirely possible. I have to take the cup is half full approach here folks… I don’t believe that we are that far behind in talent and I am very optimistic that this coaching staff can get it done. The same team that was predicted almost unanimously by coaches and media last preseason to win the west is still there for the most part and if the coaches establish the chemistry that is necessary on offense and maintain the level of defense that we had last year then we will be more than fine.

And Nick9 you’re delusional.

I would have gone to bammer if my grades hadn't been good enough to go to AU

by Todd92 on Jul 20, 2009 11:36 AM CDT reply actions

The same team that was predicted almost unanimously by coaches and media last preseason to win the west is still there for the most part

Said another way…The same team that went 5-7 last year is still there for the most part…

Just messing with ya :)

by LSU Jonno on Jul 20, 2009 12:28 PM CDT up reply actions

If your fiance reads this you could wake up with the mattress on fire......

just sayin’.

I would have gone to bammer if my grades hadn't been good enough to go to AU

by Todd92 on Jul 20, 2009 12:49 PM CDT up reply actions

10-2?

Todd92, you’re delusional.

by jsholt969 on Jul 20, 2009 5:12 PM CDT up reply actions

Time will tell......

in the mean time why don’t you tell me which games I predict as wins that you are saying there is no way we win. Otherwise bite me.

I would have gone to bammer if my grades hadn't been good enough to go to AU

by Todd92 on Jul 20, 2009 5:29 PM CDT up reply actions

Your wrong about

UGA and Bama

Georgia reloading is still more talented than your team no matter how close you are and as things stand right now Alabama is seen as a SEC contender and Auburn is seen as part of the bottom six, so no I don’t think your gunna get us this year

oh and Ole Miss dude

Not only do I think their offense is better than yours I’m pretty confident that their defense will be better as well

WARNING small parts that could be a choking hazard

by Wallacewade04 on Jul 20, 2009 8:13 PM CDT up reply actions

UGA had a better team last year than this year....

at least on paper and we played them tough with a less than stellar offense to say the least. AU however should be talent wise as good as last year or better and before you start off with your smartass remark about how last years team sucked which no one would argue, we sucked because of a lack of unity from the coaches down not from talent. I am counting on this coaching staff being able to create the unity or chemistry necessary to win football games. As far as Ole Miss goes you may be right they may be better but not head and shoulders above us and the last time I checked Ole Miss is a shining example of a lesser team beating the better team or did you forget what they did to UF last season. And I could give a rats ass what the coaches or the press are predicting for the season…..hell they did a great job last season didn’t they? They had Bama no better than 3rd and AU winning the west last season…..how did that turn out? As far as the prediction I made I said we would win at least 1 against Ole Miss, LSU, and Arkansas and maybe 2.

And our defense was dominant last year but got absolutely no help from the Otis’ offense and was ragged out after the LSU game……there isn’t a defense in the nation that could have survived that last season. Our defense will be as good as there is in the SEC this season with the exception of possibly UF and they are returning 11 starters.

You need to worry about Bama and whether or not you O-line can be rebuilt well enough to protect McElroy and allow the running game to prosper instead of coming over here spewing your poop. Because if they can’t its gonna be a long season for you.

I would have gone to bammer if my grades hadn't been good enough to go to AU

by Todd92 on Jul 21, 2009 12:27 PM CDT up reply actions

Off topic, for sure

But I’m pretty sure the dude in the lower right hand side of that picture is dead.

"What happened yesterday is history. What happens tomorrow is a mystery. What we do today makes a difference - the precious present moment." -Nick Saban

by HarveyBirdmanAAL on Jul 20, 2009 11:40 AM CDT reply actions

Agree

With everything except the Tennessee game. I think we will either win that one or Ole Miss. Either way, I see the Tigers going 7-5.

If hip hop is dead, then it happened the day that Dilla died.
-Akrobatik

by Bestjagfan on Jul 20, 2009 1:04 PM CDT reply actions

All this pessimism

is getting on my nerves. Auburn has a great chance to go better than .500 this season. Like you said, preseason predictions are rarely right. I say Auburn goes 8-4, and here’s how…

Go 3-1 in our first 4 (La Tech, Miss St, WVU, Ball St).

Go 1-1 @ Tenn and @ Ark — brings the record to 4-2

Beat Kentucky at home — 5-2

Beat Furman (obviously), and Go 2-2 @ LSU, vs Ole Miss, @ UGA, vs uat — brings the final record to 8-4

"Tigers make history. Undefeated, unmatched, undeniably the best team in Auburn football history, and the best team in the nation. They are YOUR NATIONAL CHAMPIONS, Auburn fans. The TIGERS are 13-0!" -- Rod Bramblett, AU Network, 01.03.05

by AUshorecm on Jul 20, 2009 1:12 PM CDT reply actions

which would probably send us to Nashville or Atlanta

by AUshorecm on Jul 20, 2009 1:15 PM CDT up reply actions

You can’t just count on two upsets vs. lsu, OM, UGA, and bama. All four of those are great teams

by Razorback1477 on Jul 20, 2009 1:53 PM CDT up reply actions

I think 2-2 is a realistic goal. As bad as we were last year, we came damn close to beating both LSU and Georgia. I expect AU to be much improved this season. Either this, or we could go 1-3 vs these 4 and 4-0 vs La Tech, Miss St, WVU, Ball St. Either way could get us to 8-4. I can’t wait for everyone else in the SEC to eat crow. WDE!

by AUshorecm on Jul 20, 2009 4:38 PM CDT up reply actions

I don’t why your headline includes the words “At Best”. I think, at the absolute worst, we finish 6-6 or 5-7. But honestly, if we can catch a break here and there, I think we could finish at 8-4. I think this offense is going to be A LOT better than last year’s (although it can’t be any worse). I think we beat Tennessee, also.

by mspirate on Jul 20, 2009 4:11 PM CDT reply actions

*I don’t know why – sorry

by mspirate on Jul 20, 2009 4:11 PM CDT up reply actions

What would it take...

…for Auburn to get to say, 9-3. Or just challenge in the West?

A QB stepping up? No injuries to the O-line or secondary? Tate rushing for a grand? Any or all of these?

by atlWDE on Jul 20, 2009 5:26 PM CDT reply actions

For Auburn to get to 9-3,

We need very minimal injuries and a quarterback to step up and take control of the offense. Tate probably won’t rush for a grand, but between Tate, Fannin and McCalleb, they should combine for some good numbers.

by Mattco on Jul 20, 2009 9:19 PM CDT up reply actions

We need Wes Byrum not to miss extra points and chipshot field goals.

We were a few missed kicks away from at least 2 more (if not more) wins.

by Jumpn_JackFlash on Jul 21, 2009 9:37 AM CDT up reply actions

Im

not gonna predict Auburn’s record…if i put anything less than 9-3 ill get called a troll….But i have a few thoughts…

#1. UGA will actually be better. Though Stafford and Moreno are gone, their O-line is much improved and the defense will be older and deeper. Im not saying their are going to set the world on fire, but don’t be surprised if UGA’s 09 team “looks” a lot like Bama’s 08 squad.. Run first offense by RB committee and a tough D.

#2. Im not sold on Ole Miss either, but it wasn’t like Ole Miss lacked talent before Nutt got there. They will lose a few games they aren’t suppose to, cause thats what Nutt does. Its a three way race in the West….and for the first time in a while, Ole Miss is a part of that.

#3. LSU will also be improved. The defense will again be better and their QB situation, well, at least can’t be worse.

Arkansas is a wild card. I think they will be better (they have to be right?) but how much better is a complete guess. They will pull more than one upset this year but will also drop a few that will make you scratch your head.

UT will take a step back. They had a decent recruiting class but they lack skill positions and depth. Plus, their QB and Oline situation is just terrible. The D (better known as Eric Berry) will keep them in games but will do no better than 7-5…

the Ball State and WV games will be toss ups. I do think AU loses one of these games, more than likely WV.

Again, i won’t make a prediction but AU has a lot of work to do….and im not sure about all this talent Todd is talking about.

These are just my thoughts….

"First, there are winners and know they are winners. Then there are the losers who know they are losers. Then there are those who are not winners but don’t know it. They’re the ones for me. They never quit trying. They’re the soul of our game."– Paul "Bear" Bryant

by bammer on Jul 20, 2009 6:43 PM CDT reply actions

oooo...kkkkk...

not sure why it formatted my post like that…but i think you guys can see what i was trying to do..

by bammer on Jul 20, 2009 6:44 PM CDT up reply actions

Again, i won’t make a prediction but AU has a lot of work to do….and im not sure about all this talent Todd is talking about.

For sure, Auburn has a lot of work to do. BUT, I do believe that Auburn has as much talent as Bama had last year except for on the offensive line. Bama’s big thing last year was no injuries and if Auburn can catch those breaks we can play with most every team out there.

by Mattco on Jul 20, 2009 9:21 PM CDT up reply actions

hmm

So your o-line is lacking, your QB is lacking, your WR’s aren’t proven, secondary is in shambles…..

So the only “strengths” i see (and im really trying not to be a homer) is RB and possibly D-line….how are your LB’s looking?

by bammer on Jul 21, 2009 7:43 AM CDT up reply actions

You can't be serious.

Our starting offensive line has the potential to be good, same as yours does since neither has seen the field yet. Our depth at quarterback is as good as Bama’s is, yes, none of the them played well but our returners have more experience and more reps than yours do. Our receivers are more proven than Alabama’s is and losing one starter that didn’t play last year doesn’t put our secondary in shambles.

My point in my other post was that our starters can play with anyone and I stay with that, we just can’t have the same injury issues that we had last year or we will be treading water fast. Bama lost one player last year during the entire season and they fell apart, we managed to have 3 or 4 linebackers out at the same time last year alongside several other starters all over the team. We had serious injury issues last year and still managed to hang with everyone except you guys.

by Mattco on Jul 21, 2009 9:09 PM CDT up reply actions

Couple of things...

I can agree on our QB situations, I can kinda agree on OL, your secondary may not be in “shambles” so to speak, but it needs to improve, but to say that AU’s WR corps is more proven that Bama’s?

Auburn’s top 3 returning WR’s (Billings, Hawthorne, Slaughter) have career numbers that add up to:

85 receptions for 1093 yards and 2 touchdowns. This is with 2 Juniors and 1 Senior.

Alabama’s top 3 returning WR’s (Jones, Maze, McCoy) have career numbers that add up to:

113 receptions for 1459 yards and 8 touchdowns. This is with 2 Sophomores and a Senior.

Also, AU lost 2 of their top WR’s to graduation, while Bama lost none. The only reason I take exception to this comment is the fact that both teams will rely more on their WR’s more this year than they have recently unless the offensive lines can prove reliable. But my assessment of that is that Bama’s corps is likely to be the strong point of the offense this year, again, if the O-line can’t cut it; and is head and shoulders above AU’s receiving corps.

"There's a lot of blood, sweat, and guts between dreams and success" - Coach Bryant

by TopDaddy on Jul 22, 2009 12:37 PM CDT up reply actions

beat me to it..

perhaps “shambles” was a bit…mean

by bammer on Jul 22, 2009 12:40 PM CDT up reply actions

Our O-line....

may be lacking depth but not talent on the first team which is EXACTLY like bama last season. And no I don’t think there is a position that is in shambles…..unproven maybe lacking depth yes but not with out talent…..sit back and watch the freaking games and then you can come back and either eat crow or feed it to me. Until then I said what I said and if you don’t like it go back to RBR and cackle about it with the other hens over there.

I would have gone to bammer if my grades hadn't been good enough to go to AU

by Todd92 on Jul 21, 2009 12:33 PM CDT up reply actions

yeah

cause i was so rude and my observations were WAY off…

by bammer on Jul 21, 2009 1:43 PM CDT up reply actions

I would say that they were way off.....

and while I will admit you are one of the few bammers that come over here and manage to be civil, your remark is at the very least condescending. I will pose this question for you…..at what position would you consider AU to be without talent? Because I see none.

I would have gone to bammer if my grades hadn't been good enough to go to AU

by Todd92 on Jul 22, 2009 12:04 PM CDT up reply actions

I would say

Every SEC team has talent..even Vandy. So the only answer to your question…is no where.

BUT…i see a lack of quality depth/ talent and a few positions (secondary, QB, WR)..thats not to say that they won’t turn out to be good talent but i would at least be a bit worried if I were an AU fan…

by bammer on Jul 22, 2009 12:34 PM CDT up reply actions

So what you're saying is.....

we are very similar to bama last year in the fact that we have good talent at every position but a lack of depth at some positions. Last season Bama had a lack of depth on the O-line, Linebacker, and WR…..this year AU has a lack of depth at LB, OL, And DB. Sounds to me like we are fine as long as we can stay lucky and avoid the injury bug much like bama did last year.

As to your post below….the O-line last season was expected to be a strength but because of issues stemming from the lack of unity on the coaching staff it was horrendous…….but still it was pretty much the same unit that had been dominant in 2007 from the Florida game on…….so I feel with the coaches being on the same page the O-line should indeed be a strength at least as far as the first 5 go. And I didn’t say that AU did’nt have issues at WR but the raw talent is there if the coaches can turn it into something more than adequate. And much like Bama last season we expect the addition of a couple of freshman to make an impact at WR. And I know you are not claiming Vandy to be in the same talent range as AU because that is laughable.

I would have gone to bammer if my grades hadn't been good enough to go to AU

by Todd92 on Jul 23, 2009 12:16 AM CDT up reply actions

Actually im not saying that at all...

Every SEC team has talent..even Vandy. So the only answer to your question…is no where.

BUT…i see a lack of quality depth/ talent and a few positions

The key word there is quality…Bama last year had really good talent across the board…in fact..2 top 10 recruiting classes in a row type talent. Even you guys have admitted that Tubbs was falling down on the job when it came to recruiting…and considering your last two recruiting classes were barely in the top 20…id say, quality depth is an issue.

And I know you are not claiming Vandy to be in the same talent range as AU because that is laughable.

um no..

Every SEC team has talent..even Vandy

using Vandy in that context is in no way a complement to them..Im just pointing out that every SEC school has decent to good talent…but they did go 6-6 last year…better than AU’s 5-7…

by bammer on Jul 23, 2009 11:44 AM CDT up reply actions

I again have to disagree with you.....

AU’s talent is not that far off of Bama’s or any other SEC school regardless of how many # 1 recruiting classes you’ve had or continue to have (which correct me if I’m wrong but wasn’t this past recruiting season your second #1 class?). So what you are saying is that the reason Bama was able to do what they did last year was because of freshman and redshirt freshman from the previous 2 recruiting classes? You know I have a nice bridge for sale…..it would be perfect for you. And you haven’t heard me whining about Tubervilles recruiting ever. In fact I still believe that he was capable of judging the talent and bringing in what he needed regardless of what the talking heads at Rivals or Scout said to the contrary. Tubervilles downfall was attempting to change offenses and losing the unity of his assistant coaches and having a dismal season because of it….all the while giving the Lowderites the excuse they needed to do what they have been wanting and trying to do since 2003. It had nothing to do with talent or recruiting.

Bama was one injury on the O-line away last season from being a totally different team. Had Caldwell or Smith gone down for the season or multiple games last season it would have been a completely different outcome for you….or do you think that it coicidence that your worst offensive games were Tulane and Utah? That speaks to the lack of quality depth that Bama had on O-line in my opinion….like you said I’m only commenting on what I witnessed. I will be the first to admit that AU is thin on depth at some positions but that is exactly where Bama was last season so I will reiterate we need to avoid the injury bug (read that as “get lucky like Bama did last season”) to compete for the SEC west but we all know its possible.

I would have gone to bammer if my grades hadn't been good enough to go to AU

by Todd92 on Jul 23, 2009 1:29 PM CDT up reply actions

I think it's funny

how you bammers make fun of Auburn for our lone losing season this decade, when y’all have had THREE losing seasons (2000, 2003, 2006) plus one .500 season (2004) this decade.

by AUshorecm on Jul 23, 2009 5:45 PM CDT up reply actions

I will also say.....

that I expect our O-line, if not injury plagued, to be one of the best units in the SEC which makes them one of the best in the country.

I would have gone to bammer if my grades hadn't been good enough to go to AU

by Todd92 on Jul 22, 2009 12:06 PM CDT up reply actions

sorry..

i can only make observations from what i see and what i hear…so..from what i saw last year..and the remarks of writers/ posters here…i saw or heard nothing that left me thinking your O-line was going to be good…and adding a cast off from FSU, who’s 30 lbs over weight (and doesn’t seem to be a hard worker) doesn’t really help.

And…from what i saw last year…your WR core was just plain awful…perhaps that was the system..youth..or whatever..but i didn’t see nota one WR that looked promising…but again..thats coming from a bama fan.

by bammer on Jul 22, 2009 12:38 PM CDT up reply actions

Upcoming Season

At worst Auburn will finish 8-4, only loses will be to Alabama, Ole Miss, LSU, Georgia. But Auburn has the possibility of beating LSU & Georgia. Even though Auburn has no true quaterback, they still have enough talent to do very well.

by bobbybentley on Jul 20, 2009 6:49 PM CDT reply actions

bammer

Our starting OL is stout, but our bench is thin. However, that situation is being remedied.

Our QB merry-go-round is not as bad as it seemed last year. We would make decent progress the first half of a game, but then inept play calling screwed the pooch second half. That, and inexplicable kicking meltdowns of every variety. That, and penalties which either killed offensive drives or gave our opponenets better field position. That, and an inordinate number of injuries bled us dry.

So, if you really want to look on the bright side, our house has already been pre-disastered, according to Garp. The odds of all those unfavorable events recurring are extremely low.

Plus we actually have an offensive coordinator who knows what to do, a staff who is on the same page as him, a team who is on the same page as the staff, etc.

If I might return your concern, so your QB is unproven, you have holes in your OL, and you lost to BYU not because they were bigger and stronger, nor higher starred. Just out played and out coached. You might be surprised again this year around Thanksgiving.

by KungFuPanda9 on Jul 21, 2009 9:03 AM CDT reply actions

lol

There is no doubt our OL needs to be rebuilt…but there is no lack of talent or depth there…And there is a good chance our QB situation will at least look exactly like last year and maybe better…not to mention we will probably have yet again, one of the top defenses in the country…oh…and more WR and RB talent we have ever seen…

and before you try to throw jabs at who we lost to last year, you might want to actually know what you’re talking about.

We lost to the #1 and #2 teams in the country in Florida and Utah…yes Utah is a mid major…but there is no shame in losing only to the eventual NC and the only undefeated team in the country…

Im going to try my best not to point out the many misfortunes that Auburn saw last year…but ill take the high road…

by bammer on Jul 21, 2009 9:19 AM CDT up reply actions

I'll put up any of our losses this decade

against some of the pathetic teams alabama has lost to in recent years.

I’ll take losing to Vandy or USF over losing to La.-Monroe, Hawaii, UCF…

by AUshorecm on Jul 23, 2009 5:50 PM CDT up reply actions

Oh God

our kicking last year made me want to jump over the side of the stadium

"Jay Jacobs can't go to the bathroom without Bobby Lowder's permission" - Paul Finebaum

by GumptownTiger on Jul 21, 2009 9:37 AM CDT up reply actions

I was told I'm crazy...

And that’s not the first time either)
I feel Auburn has several distinct advantages, this year that were not present last season. “Sneaking up” on anybody is not one of them. The only people that take other teams for granted are the media and the fans. NOT COACHES!
To my point, the team has focus this year and discipline. Something they lacked last season.
The coaching staff are all on the same page, and happy to be at Auburn. Something the previous staff lacked last season.
There are absolutely no dillusions about where Auburn’s talent level is, but stating it publicly, via Coach Chizik, has lit a fire under the players to prove they are better than most predict they are.
Auburn probably won’t win the West this year. 10-3 with a Bowl victory. They will however finish second in the division. That’s where the call me crazy part came from.