Our Season of Hope
by KoolBell777 on Jun 25, 2010 5:00 AM CDT
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This upcoming football season will mark an historic time for Auburn fans. Not since 2003 have the Auburn faithful had so much to look forward to.
In the months preceding the debacle that was 2003 Auburn had players named to trophy watch lists, the same is true of this year. In '03 Dontarrious Thomas and Karlos Dansby were on the cover of ESPN magazine, this year Mario Fannin is on the cover of Phil Steele's preseason magazine.
Not many more comparisons can be made except for maybe the fan's expectations. In the preseason of 2003 Auburn was ranked 6th in the nation. In 2010 they will likely not be ranked at all to start the season. In 2003 there was talk of possibly playing for a national championship. Not this year!
So, how do these two seasons even belong in the same article? Hope. Plain and simple, hope.
There is enough of emotionally charged hype in the air to fill a political campaign. Auburn's fans have seen enough of the Gus Malzahn offense to wet their collective lips, and now it's time to see the whole concoction. It's not just Koolaide they are drinking. The wet and satisfying drink they are tasting, if only imaginary, is made of championships.
Coach Malzahn has only encountered once in his career this much talent on the offensive side of the ball. History tells us that Coach Malzahn and then Razorbacks coach Houston Nutt didn't agree totally on the game play calling so Nutt took over that duty during the latter part of the season. Coach Chizik is not so foolish as to reign in the most brilliant offensive mind in college football.
In 2003 Auburn started the season with two very good opponents, USC was ranked 8th nationally, and Georgia Tech was not expected to be very good, but they were that day against Auburn. In the end Auburn started the 2003 season 0 for 2 and only scoring 3 points in it's first two contests. Ugh!
This upcoming season the Tigers start with what many consider a tune up game against Arkansas State, then take on the likes of Mississippi State, then Clemson, followed by South Carolina.
Without any doubt the bubble could burst early in the season if Auburn is not fully prepared. All hope would be lost with two losses that early in the season, as was the case in 2003.
This time however Auburn has history on it's side. Auburn's head football coach has grasped the truly rich tradition of Auburn football. Invited that tradition back into the fold,, and welcomed it with open arms. Every player has been fully introduced to that history. This team will surely be reminded of the few mistakes made in 2003, and have demanded of them not to repeat them.
College footballs teams across the country all have hope in the days leading up to the reality of the start of their season. This Auburn team has the intangibles that make a quality team. The fan base almost unanimously enjoys the under dog role, that is being put on their team from the Loveliest Village. Hope is alive and well on the Plains!
WAR EAGLE!
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There's hope every year.
Since 2003, AU has had several seasons with high hopes. In 2006 we were ranked #4 in the AP preseason poll and moved all the way to #2 before yet another inexplicable loss to friggin Arkansas (shakes fist). We started 2008 at #10 in the AP on the heels of a thrilling Chick-Fil-A bowl that had the world convinced that Tony Franklin with Kodi Burns at the helm was going to rack up 400 yards a game. Both years we had some rather concrete reasons for hope. This year, not so much.
Sure, we finally have a hyped QB, but Kodi was pretty hyped too. We’ve got a potentially lethal offense, but that same offense managed a whopping 14 points against friggin Kentucky! We have actual bodies on defense, which is a definite improvement from last year, but there’s still not a lot of experienced depth there.
Still, there’s hope. Last year, 17 points was the difference between 8-5 and 11-2. Of course, 14 points the other way and we could have been 6-7 real easy (actually even less than that if you throw out the extraneous TD against WVU). Of course you could make the same argument about a certain other team that squeaked by UT and us (murmur, mumble).
Personally, I’m hopeful about this year, but not as much as previous years. I expect we’ll improve, but we still have a ways to go. Here’s to hoping we get a few bounces here and there and win the ones we should, and maybe a couple we shouldn’t.
P.S. That Steele cover is an AU/UA regional cover, not a national cover. His national cover has another RB from the state of AL; https://www.philsteele.com/store/images/Covers/NationalCover.jpg
War Eagle!
what exactly is a "ways to go"?...
and when do you know you’ve gotten there?
every single year there is hope… because every single year there is uncertaintly…somewhere. a team or fan base simply wouldn’t put effort into HOPE if there wasn’t some uncertaintly,…somewhere.
i say, trade it in… for confidence.
the reality of every team is that there is a push or focus of players and personnel to get better in certain areas (of past failure)…and /or in areas where player positions need to be filled, yada ya….
i am going to go out on a limb here and say i think this is BS. too much is made of the need to fill vacancies. it is simple, you pick the next best guy, and you tell him he is starting. we need you now, … go kick some ass.
IN THE BIG and perfect PICTURE, a team should not be eb and flowing to crises from year to year within the ranks and positions and needs of the team. if so, the system / program is not doing its job. or maybe, i should say,… minimal adjustments should need to be made from year to year…in terms of focus.
what the team should be doing is building. building confidence.
mentoring confidence. (something that is absolutely critical for Auburn this year… throughout the entire year… practice and games)
hope shouldn’t be a factor because confidence should be breeding in the locker room through the team’s leaders the entire time.
i’m not hopeful, i’m confident. Auburn has the pieces to compete… thoroughly compete.
i’m confident because i saw a whole new attitude on the sideline warming up for the spring game. i saw a completely new demeanor and electricity about the squad.
Vanderbilt fans hope every year…and there are some good players on vandy… there are good players all over this conference. the difference isn’t hope. the difference for me, is confidence.
wappa
Actually...
…..the Malzhan offense did not manage 14 against KY. We got one score on a blocked FG return. I was looking at the box score Wednesday!
Makes me..
Wanna shed a tear. I too feel the excitement of the upcoming season. There is so much to look forward to, But like TexasAUtiger said, There is much to be fearfull of too. It will be interesting to see how focused this team is this year. I’m excited but trying to hold back expectations….
fearful?... serious?
bring it the F on! a team that is ready, a team that can handle it…isn’t afraid of expectations.
they eat that SH#! for bfast, lunch, & dinner.
WDE!
wappa
Great read KB !
Thoroughly enjoyed this article. Nothing springs eternal like hope. You have further wet my appetite. I am ready for some football.
I have to agree that Chizik is not going to be a Nutt (as in Houston) and put the reigns on Malzahn. We got some more players now and I just pray we can keep them all healthy. If we can do that, we should be in good shape going into the Iron Bowl.
AubTigerman
"The reason you come to Auburn is because of Auburn people.This is a special place, from the coaches all the way to the fans" - Andrew McCain OT
Let's hope
we can get more than just the Iron Bowl this year. I’m hoping to compete for the West title. Although the Iron Bowl is basically the key.
Auburn Tigers Baseball -- 2010 SEC West Champions
I don't know guys...
While writing this I couldn’t help but think of 1983. Bo gave us all so much hope, but it’s different in that “WE” get to see the entire team acting as one, so far. I can not help but feel something is in the air, and it smells just like a championship to me. I really am trying not to drink the koolaide, especially in my writing, but it just feels different this time. I hope I’m right.
WAR EAGLE!
Come and join me at http://trackemtigers.com
the weapons... the depth pushing practice...
culture change, dynamic/ versatile athletes… mahlzonian theory is going to blow it up this year… for me, it is still about getting through week 4 and finding the momentum.
weeks 6-8 should be EASY for AU to get up for … they are all paybacks
(kentucky, arky, & LSU)
food for thought:
national ranks for rushing 2009
- miss. st.
- UF
………… - bama
- AUBURN
only other SEC team in top 25 is
- kentucky
- UGA
where the hell was LSU?… #90!
http://web1.ncaa.org/mfb/natlRank.jsp?year=2009&rpt=IA_teamrush&site=org&div=IA&dest=O
of these teams that were top tier SEC rushing Os in 2009, miss st & Auburn lost their feature RB heading into 2010.
however, Auburn has retained 4 Olineman from 2009 and only has 1 shoe to fill.
this line will have confidence for sure.
Auburn has also added a dual threat QB who scored 16 rush TDs last year (655yds rushing)
for so many of these RBs, … you are only as good as your Oline. (especially in the SEC) so many of these RBs (2 and sometimes 3 deep in the SEC) are full of talent, and could find starting jobs all over the place throughout the nation.
with some dramatic changes to some lines in the coming season (UF, …)
it will be interesting to see what comes of these rushing offenses in 2010.
UGA’s Oline will be in decent shape and returns 2 good RBs to help their starting FR QB. bama returns 3 on the Oline.
wappa
well, your schedule is a relative cakewalk
Clemson’s QB is probably going to quit to play professional baseball. You guys could be 6-0 without having to play a legit top-25 team depending on how bad stephen garcia chokes. You get LSU and Georgia at home.
If I had to guess, I’d say Auburn is 9-2 coming into the Iron Bowl. 9-3 afterward of course :)
What you're seeing is team spirit. It's like the Holy Spirit, but more powerful.
-Hank Hill
It is...
……a great set up. Auburn fields veteran lines on both sides of the ball, and there’s no Florida or Tennessee on the schedule. It’s definitely time for the Tigers to make hay while the sun shines. We’ll be green on both lines in 2011, and we pick up Florida.
……Games I’m worried about (other than the Iron Bowl) are Arkansas, LSU and Georgia. We’ve had no clue against the Petrino offense the last two seasons. Our best hope there is either to match ‘em TD for TD, or hope Mallett has a melt-down game. LSU and Georgia can match or exceed us up front. 8-3 is probably realistic, but I think we’ll manage to knock off at least one of the big three.
Well...
I think it is different this year as well. As has been previously mentioned, the schedule is much more favorable this time. Arkansas State is a much easier start than USC. Now, Miss St. is not that easy, but we have historic success against them. Georgia Tech has always been a battle and probably always we be I think whenever we play them. Clemson may not have the qb that is playing in professional baseball, but they’ll still have a really good guy left there and they have team speed with the best of them. Our best bet is to over power them as they’re the one team that’s just as fast as we are if not faster.
The problem, though, is that the SEC is so strong right now. Sure, we could start off again 5-0 but alas we may start to wear down yet again. How is our strength and conditioning? How much depth will Auburn actually have? I mean yeah we got great potential coming in, but until it lives up to anything that’s all it is-potential. Furthermore, playing a full season before our bye week against UA, it only leads more to a possibility that AU will be exhausted.
Still, and maybe it’s just wishful thinking, with all of those problems and questions, Auburn still seems like it will have a much better time of it this year. For one thing, there isn’t problems with the coaching staff. For now at least, they’re all on the same page. Continuing, Auburn hasn’t had many off season injuries and the momentum continues to grow. Malzhan has success every where he goes, so I’m not sure why this year should be that much different. I just can’t see Auburn falling apart like they did last year, but you never know. That’s why they play the games.
Our schedule sets up.....
for a very good season and I will not be surprised to see two undefeated teams in the Iron Bowl. I still say we are no worse than 9-2 going into the Iron Bowl.
I would have gone to bammer if my grades hadn't been good enough to go to AU
You and I are pretty close...
but you know the ultimate pessimist. I’ve got us picked to be 8-3 by that point. If I’m saying 8-3, you know something’s up right?
I am shocked that you have us picked to do that well actually......
just kidding. We will do very well this season and all the Roof haters will not have much to say at the end of the season.
I would have gone to bammer if my grades hadn't been good enough to go to AU
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