Auburn, We Have a Georgia Problem
by Jay Coulter on Nov 14, 2011 3:00 AM CST
in Football
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How did it happen? When did it get away? While basking in the glow of seven wins in nine years over Alabama, the Georgia rivalry has become a horror show for the Auburn football program.
With Saturday's humiliating beat down in Athens, Auburn has now lost five of its last six games to its second biggest rival. To make matters worse, these losses have come to Georgia teams who are far from championship material. While Mark Richt seemingly fights for his job yearly, he continues to whip Auburn with mediocre teams.
That's not a slight toward Georgia - far from it. As badly as Auburn was beaten on the field Saturday, its coaches were beaten worse by the often maligned Georgia staff. A team that had so much hope after a better than expected October, now finds itself looking for answers to the same familiar questions.
For the first time in his Auburn tenure, Gene Chizik appeared visibly shaken standing on the sidelines in the waning moments of the loss. Georgia was a decisive favorite, but no one imagined this carnage.
"I feel we got beat in every phase of the football game that you can get beat," Chizik said. "I didn't feel like we blocked anybody offensively all night, either in pass protection or trying to run the football."
"I didn't feel like defensively we covered many people all night. We had a hard time stopping the run and we turned the ball over. It's a pretty short conversation. That's why we got beat 45-7."
With two games remaining, it's now time to look toward the future. The battle cry for most of the year has been, wait until next year when these guys grow up. After ten games and an off-week, these young men are no longer rookies.
Much more was expected Saturday.
More troubling than Georgia's 12-of-15 conversion rate on third downs, was the play of Auburn's defensive line in the second half. With Richt mercifully running the ball off-tackle and substituting liberally during the final two quarters, Auburn put nine in the box and still couldn't handle Georgia's offensive line and Isaiah Crowell.
The question that must be asked is whether these young players are progressing like they should at the end of the season? The answer is clearly no - and that goes for both the offense and defense.
Auburn is loaded with talent on both sides of the ball. Winning seven games was more than most expected this year. But with the surprising October success, many believed Auburn would challenge Georgia. Instead, it took two steps back.
Now it's time to look for answers.
Why has the defensive line seemingly gotten worse? With the exception of Emory Blake, why hasn't Auburn's other receivers developed into downfield threats? Why does the defensive secondary always seem to be out of place in pass coverage? Why does the offensive line matchup so poorly against physical SEC defenses?
It's easy to point to inexperience as a blanket answer; but after 10 games that argument holds less water. Without a lot of improvement in the coming days, this November might go down as one of Auburn's worst ever.
Gene Chizik knows there's no stopping now. When asked after the game how his team will respond, he was steely in his response.
"We are going back to work," he said. "I told everybody in the locker room we don't have a choice. The only choice is the exit over the door if they don't like it. We are going back to work and we are going to rebound next week."
What a difference a year makes.
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Size matters
I know some coaches think smaller = faster. But the UGA game answers the question about why our defense was butter to Georgia’s hot knife. We always look good right out of the gate when we’re fresh. But over time bigger teams wear us down.
Also, blocking and tackling technique. Here we are in the tenth game seeing the same weak tackling as week one. And now we know why we loved Kodi Burns. The man knew his blocking assignments and executed well. I know everybody wants to catch passes and be a hero. But making plays also means making blocks.
We have some real warriors on offense. Dyer, McCalebb, Lutzenkirchen, Blake. We need a quarterback who has the physical courage to run the dang football. Steve Garcia may have his flaws, but he was fearless. For all his faults, he was ready and willing to impose his will against defenders. He is not a real big guy. Just about average size for an SEC quarterback. But he did not hesitate to run with conviction when the play demanded he take control of the ball on the ground.
How is it that McCalebb, all 175 pounds of him, is fearless in the face of 250 pounders when we have big tall quarterbacks who act like their legs are mired in quicksand? You’ve been in the weightroom, you got the helmet and pads. Take action! Velocity adds to your mass and inertia, so get moving. Use a stiff arm to hold ‘em off. Just don’t stand there and wilt, waiting like a whipped pup.
The thing that really bothers me is that someone observed our guys sort of quit when the score ran up. Man, they have some soul searching to do facing the Iron Bowl.
Before I throw the baby out....
with the bath water… I must say Georgia has never had a problem in talent. Richt can recruit. It’s apparent with Murray, Crowell and his defensive line. He might not be able to coach… but he can sure recruit. But if you were looking at the results on Saturday… he did pretty good all the way around.
That surely isn’t an excuse at what happened on Saturday. I think it’s important to note that AU’s coaches got soundly whipped on the field and this after having a week off. The thorough beating was in every aspect of the game. In one fell swope… Richt was able to put the monkey that has been on his back for two years… right back on Auburn’s Gene Chizik.
Does this mean Chizik should be worried about being fired?
No. But it damn sure means he better start figuring out what is wrong with this team and finding a remedy. People are tired of the excuses being tossed around even though there hasn’t been many given by this coaching staff. And the adage of "the buck stops here" is only good for so long. While the performance may have been unacceptable to Gene Chizik… the real kicker is that there isn’t any other cards to play it would appear. While a National Championship on your resume is a great salve to cure most coaching fears of a “hot seat”… it’s not a get out of jail free card. In fact, some would argue it is a double edged sword that Chizik will have to battle for the rest of his career at Auburn.
My hope is that he isn’t as stubborn as his predecessor was… that is in not getting rid of dead wood on his staff. Honestly – with crappy performances like that… I am not sure exactly where I would look first. Regardless, if he is slow to act… the outlook for Gene will start to darken. And quickly. The facts are plain: next year he is out of excuses. He is on his own. The recruiting classes will be all his.
As of today, I see no improvement in any aspect of our team in any phase of the game. They look as bad on Saturday as they did during the first game of the season. And while I haven’t completely given up hope… I have to stress that things look pretty bad. I have no confidence in our QB situation and from what I have seen from Malzahn this year would suggest that he will be leaving for Mississippi soon. He is way too predictable. Still, with all the hype he has gotten from AU (and using other people’s talent) he hasn’t been able to pull a rabbit from his hat. Further… I have no confidence in our defense. We are getting dominated from the snap at the line of scrimmage. And our DBs couldn’t tackle if their lives depended on it… we are fundamentally weak.
I will be at the Samford game this coming Saturday and besides the tribute to Pat Sullivan I don’t expect much… but I dread the game the following week. I see nothing that will stop bama from embarrassing us on our home field – even with their below par offense. Based upon what I have seen from this AU team… and these coaches this year… it would take a miracle from God to beat bama. In fact, since we are all out favors up there… and the fact that they are still smarting from last year… I suspect the score will be something like 35-0. It’s going to be ugly folks. The ONLY thing we have in our favor is the home crowd. And if I were Saban, my battle plan would be to put AU on the ropes early and send the crowd to the exits like Georgia did. He has a defense that can do it.
You need to prepare yourself now.
For those that think my comments are suddenly negative… I think I have done pretty well considering. After the sound beating from our oldest rival on Saturday… I don’t think I can look past the warning signs any longer. We got problems at Auburn. I am starting to think that we are going to see some major coaching turbulence this next season. It will be interesting to see what happens. Whatever it is… AU will rebound.
WDE
Are you kidding me?
Really? You’re saying that Mark Richt doesn’t know how to coach? You do realize that his career record is 104-36. That seems to be forgoten because last year was a terrible year for the Dawgs. I know you Warplainstiglesmen aren’t very good at math, but that’s a better record than the best cheating coach of all time at Auburn, a one Pat Dye who’s career record at Auburn was 99-39-4.
I’m sorry Auburn sucks unless they pay players (allegedly), but don’t be a hater and give Mark Richt his due. He flat out owns Auburn, and you saw it this year. See you behind the woodshed next year. Go Dawgs!
Enjoy your win...
You obviously got what you wanted. It’s ringing pretty hollow from where I sit. It always has. But I guess that is the difference in results. Hmm?
WDE
I enjoy it every time...
Hey, Auburn beat us last year. I didn’t have a problem with that because we COMPETED for four quarters (something you guys didn’t do this year). I didn’t come out afterwards and say that the only reason Auburn won was because they could recruit (or in this case allegedly pay) players. You sir, on the other hand, can’t seem to give Mark Richt his due and want to give him a back-handed compliment for the victory by saying this had nothing to do with his coaching skills.
As I said before, Mark Richt has a 104-36 coaching record, which includes a 7-4 record against your mighty Tigers. This record comes despite having down years in 2009 and 2010 (although Auburn seemed pretty happy about their IDENTICAL 8-5 record in 2009 – which included a loss to Georgia). However, these two down seasons (by Georgia standards) led casual observers of Football (like yourself and the esteemed columnist here) to be blinded to Mark Richt’s overall superb record at Georgia. Simply put, his coaching record speaks for itself and the man has a better coaching record than even your vaunted Pat Dye.
So go kick rocks you sore loser.
And yet you post it here?
I dunno you SoGaDawg… but you sound like a sore winner to me. That is the only reason I could use to explain your being so insulting and confrontational Perhaps you were expecting a coronation after winning? You will have to keep waiting. The problems at Georgia are still there. The win only masks them.
Besides when Georgia has to compete like Auburn does with an in-State rival… and in a division like Auburn does and do as well as we do… you can come and spout off how great you are.
During the same period you are yapping about Georgia’s accomplishments… AU has an undefeated season in 2004… and of course the National Championship last year.
Besides, outside of Les Miles, Mark Richt is the luckiest man I know in the SEC. He is an emotion rider and a gimmick user… pure and simple. And that’s not coaching. It will all catch up with him and Georgia in the end. The man is the reason you guys are known as THUGU and regardless of his record… that is something you can’t escape.
But I will tell you what… we will all see how you do in the SEC championship game. I am anticipating LSU by 30. And if that comes to pass… we will wish you luck in the Cotton Bowl!
WDE
wde1988, querey who is being escapist.
And its ThUGA, not THUGU.
by first and thom on Nov 15, 2011 4:25 PM CST up reply actions
The offensive issues bother me...
a lot more than the defensive issue. Yes, I realize I’m the one calling for Roof’s head. I am not getting into that, I’ve just been adamant he doesn’t fit on this staff.
Regardless, you guys really think Gus is running his offense? Outside of Ole Miss, Auburn has not produced offensively since September. Somebody is making him do something different. His offense works-we’ve seen it. You really think Gus is this predictable all of a sudden? You really think he just all of a sudden forgot how to coach in a confusing way? You think the guy that was running reverses, throwing it vertical against Alabama’s offense in 2009 and 2010 is Gus running his offense? Hmm…so tell me did Malzhan just now lose his ability to scheme and coach. Actually, I think he has. I don’t think he’s being allowed to scheme or coach his way. The offense is playing like the old 80’s offenses while Pat Dye was here.
It's Auburn against the world. Good luck world.
So who is calling the plays then?
It is entirely possible that either SEC coaches have figured him out. It is also entirely possible that his offense doesn’t work without a QB. I’m thinking it’s a little bit of both. You can’t win ballgames on trick plays alone.
Agreed.
Dude, I don’t care who’s the offensive coordinator, if you don’t have a qb that can work around a weak O-line, it’s gonna be a long season, Virginia……
"We see the door; we're here to knock it down"-Cam Newton
by Tiger on the mountain on Nov 14, 2011 9:06 AM CST up reply actions
I disagree on the QB being the issue with the offense.......
but I think you are close to the problem……It’s the OL and I don’t care who is at QB…..if the OL can’t block then it’s gonna be a long season. We had a veteran line in both 2009 and 2010 with the only difference being a less than stellar QB in 2009 and a wunderkind at QB in 2010…….both offenses were explosive and capable (of course 2010 was stellar)….this season we have a hodgepodge OL which has been compounded by injuries and it shows. The woes on offense start and stop with the OL and that includes Trotters digression from game 1 til losing the starting job. When the run game and passing game are equally ineffective it’s going to be a long day.
I don't troll so I reserve the right to berate trolls as I see fit.
Just so you know I won't forget.....LSU Jonno predicted we would finish 5th in the west in '11.
I'm on the same page, really. O-line is the biggest issue.
It’s honestly how I feel. Clint had some folks open that he didn’t look towards (or have a chance to look towards), so some of this falls on the QB. HOWEVER, I feel that he makes better decisions and a more resilient confidence than Trotter facing the adversity that is our offensive line deficiencies. Hopefully, we get some really great O-tackles and O-linesmen on signing day.
"We see the door; we're here to knock it down"-Cam Newton
by Tiger on the mountain on Nov 15, 2011 8:40 AM CST up reply actions
All I cay say is this...
Ask any Auburn fan what they’re going to do offense and we can tell you 9 out of 10 times what’s going to happen. I think this predictability is not Gus Malzahn’s offense. I know it’s the easiest thing to say, but damnit just look at play calling. They aren’t calling the same thing anymore. They run on first down over 90% of the time. This is not Gus’s offense. He’s been handcuffed to help the defense not wear down. I’m telling you guys this offense works. It’s not all trick plays he has done either. But, he varied his play calling a good bit while it was still the power running game. You guys are not looking at the whole picture.
It's Auburn against the world. Good luck world.
You run on first
because you can’t pass. You can’t pass because you have no offensive line and Mosely has no time. At least with second and medium to short, your playbook opens up a bit more.
by SEC Supremacist on Nov 14, 2011 9:28 AM CST up reply actions
Suit yourself...
Believe what you want to believe. I’m just saying Gus’s offense works period.
It's Auburn against the world. Good luck world.
It works if you have the personnel
We don’t have hte personnel right now for any offense. Then again, I’m in the “wait till next year” crowd.
by SEC Supremacist on Nov 14, 2011 9:36 AM CST up reply actions
Sparkey you don't have to look for a conspiracy in this one.....
we just have no OL.
I don't troll so I reserve the right to berate trolls as I see fit.
Just so you know I won't forget.....LSU Jonno predicted we would finish 5th in the west in '11.
It's an interesting theory, Sparkey, and one we have talked about all season.
In Auburn’s early games, the defense got absolutely blown up but the offense found ways to score: high-risk, high-variance, and high-scoring. After the Clemson loss, it looks to my relatively-uneducated eye like Malzahn changed his play calling and Roof simplified his defense. The theory goes that the offense reduced pace to allow the defense to regroup, and the defense simplified to allow the younger players to play in scheme they could master.
I don’t pretend to know if that actually happened. What do you think?
And we can avoid playing semantics. Any offense that Malzahn is coaching can be called a “Malzahn offense,” but it is equally true that Coach Chizik has the right to tell Malzahn to deviate gameplans and play calls from what he would call if he were the head coach.
by first and thom on Nov 14, 2011 9:42 AM CST up reply actions
I think...
It’s not Malzahn’s offense. For that matter, it’s not even Roof’s defense in his defense. I’m not sure if it’s Chizik doing all of this or something else. One thing I do know: These two guys are running a different defense and offense than what they have before this season. Maybe I’m just a big conspiracy theorist. However, you’ve got two guys doing something totally different than what they normally do. That’s the one thing I KNOW for sure.
It's Auburn against the world. Good luck world.
Chris Todd...
Had a great 2009 year. We’re all forgetting that. Just take a look at the offense of 2009. It looks nothing like this year’s offense.
It's Auburn against the world. Good luck world.
Hopefully you don't think this is a great year.
We lost to Arky( 23 pts), Kentucky (14 points), LSU (10 points), Georgia (24 pts ) and Bama (21 pts) . Arky and Georgia were even average that year.
If you are hanging your hat on the offense, its the Bama game and even the majority of those points cam on big end around plays by Zachary. Outside of that we struggled…mightily.
I love the smell of Auburn in the autumn.....it smells like....victory.
It's possible
But why have we started running the ball 85% of the time on first down? I think Gene has a pretty tight muzzle on Gus as far as the offense goes.
Hit me up on Google+
by jd is legend on Nov 14, 2011 11:17 AM CST up reply actions
Well you have an inexperienced QB and a Heisman level RB....
What would you do 85% of the time? True, I would still throw it more, but do you want to take your chances with a 2nd and 10 or a 2nd and 6? 2nd and 6 offers a greater number of options.
The problem is we have been running into 2nd and 10….or worse…regardless of run or pass.
Maybe if Frazier develops into THE GUY it will be different.
I love the smell of Auburn in the autumn.....it smells like....victory.
This offense works against 2nd tier teams, not elites
I’ve said repeatedly that, except for the odd instance, Malzahns spread does NOT beat an elite level defense. Look at Arkansas, Tulsa, ‘09 and this year. The wins against top level compeition without Cam Newton, are few and far between.
If you don’t have an elite level QB, this offense DEPENDS on having a speed advantage on the edge and a strength advantage in the middle. We have neither against the top half of the SEC, and we sure don’t have an elite level QB. Arkansas has an elite level QB and they will still lose the games they have to win to be a champion.
The only reason we beat Carolina is we played on their side of the field the whole game. If you are comfortable going 8-4 and losing to all our rivals, by all means continue to support the spread offense. If you want to get serious about beating LSU, Bama, and Georgia, get some beef…..fast beef…. on the lines and get to slugging it out.
The 2004 Auburn Tigers are your model for success in the SEC, not the 2010 Auburn Tigers.
I love the smell of Auburn in the autumn.....it smells like....victory.
Okay then...
Like I said suit yourself. Believe what you want to believe. This offense produces and has done so until now.
It's Auburn against the world. Good luck world.
Show me where it produces against good competition on the merits of the scheme.
Cam Newton doesn’t count because he saved Gus’ bacon 50+ times last year converting on 3rd downs by virtue of his mass and size. Without Cam, we lose five games last year…..at least. Hell, we still almost lost to all the good teams.
I’m willing to listen to REASON but the objective is to win the SEC is it not? Unless you have a Cam TEBOW, or a GREAT sling it around QB….the spread isn’t beating our rivals. The biggest problem with the spread is not only is it not effective against elite defenses it works against your own defense and makes it worse. I don’t see any redeeming value to it at all unless you have the studs….and I mean STUDS to run it.
I love the smell of Auburn in the autumn.....it smells like....victory.
by Col.Angus on Nov 14, 2011 10:12 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Just to underscore Cam Newton's role...
…I went back and checked last year’s UGA/Auburn game. Auburn converted 10 third downs. All were runs. All were Cam Newton runs.
by first and thom on Nov 14, 2011 10:34 AM CST up reply actions
And that was with the best line in the SEC
Darvin Adams, Terrell Zachary, Lutzenkirchen, McCalebb, Dyer and the very underrated Eric Smith, who made the play of the game blocking off the Georgia player who was going to field the onside kick in the 2nd half that started the 3rd qtr rout..
In all honesty knowing how good Cam has gotten at throwing the ball downfield, you can argue that Malzahn ALMOST wasted Cam, because he had no idea how to use him the first three games. He didn’t let Cam be Cam untile the USC game, almost losing to MSU and Clemson.
I love the smell of Auburn in the autumn.....it smells like....victory.
I don't see why we can't get beef on the lines and also have a spread offense
The spread worked pretty damn well at Florida against elite teams
Hit me up on Google+
by jd is legend on Nov 14, 2011 11:24 AM CST up reply actions
With Tebow...
You give me Cam or Tebow….I LOVE THE SPREAD.
Those guys one on one with a 220 lb? With the safety drawn in?? I’m in….ALL IN.
They change the whole dynamic of the defensive scheme. Even as a Freshman, Tebow had a HUGE impact on them winning the title. They don’t do it without him.
.
With Chris Todd, Trotter or Mosely…uh Brantley last year? Eh, not so much.
I love the smell of Auburn in the autumn.....it smells like....victory.
The thing is
It doesn’t matter what kind of offense you run if your quarterbacks suck, which all of those that you mention do. Are you telling me that if Auburn and Georgia switch QB’s on Saturday, the outcome wouldn’t be vastly different? At least the yardage differential?
Hit me up on Google+
by jd is legend on Nov 14, 2011 12:08 PM CST up reply actions
Well yeah.
Murray is arguably the best QB in the SEC. He can fling it AND run….and hes’ tough.
I think if we have Murray or Tyler Wilson and UGA has Moseley, we win easily.
Any other QB in the SEC wouldn’t help us though.
I love the smell of Auburn in the autumn.....it smells like....victory.
Thanks for that, Col!
We like Murray a lot, except we’d really love it if he would learn to throw it away sometimes or get down before contact. I don’t remember who it was that completely up-ended him in the 3rd quarter, but it was a massive hit that I wish he’d have avoided.
He’s been inconsistent all year, but still broke Stafford’s single season TD record.
by first and thom on Nov 14, 2011 1:47 PM CST up reply actions
So you're making my point for me
My point is that the spread offense can and has worked in the SEC with a good quarterback. With a bad quarterback (which is all we have on the roster), it would be hard to find any offense that would work in this conference.
Hit me up on Google+
by jd is legend on Nov 14, 2011 2:36 PM CST up reply actions
So why run it with a bad QB???/
You’re makeing MY point.
Do you bang your head against the wall because thats the stylish thing to do or do you say, “No thank you, I’ll sit on the veranda and have a Fresca.”
I know the Spread is the “hip” thing to do…. but we don’t have the QB to run it.
Is Malzahn so dense he can’t run another offense? Of course not. But he keeps banging that square peg expecting it to rocket through the round hole…..
Uh Brilliant???? Not so much.
I love the smell of Auburn in the autumn.....it smells like....victory.
We aren't running the damned spread man...
What Auburn has right now is not the spread. It’s some toned down version of something Chizik or somebody has mandated so that the defense doesn’t wear out too quickly. You’ll get your wish, Malzahn is gone this year. Write it down. He will not stay somewhere he cannot run his offense. His capability to run the spread is not there. Don’t even mention this offense. If you want to complain about the spread, then talk about what happened earlier this season. Since Clemson, Auburn hasn’t run Gus Malzahn’s true offense. So, you’re upset about an offense that is not Malahn’s work.
It's Auburn against the world. Good luck world.
It doesn't matter what our offensive scheme is
We have a weak OL, underachieving WRs, and poor quarterback play. No matter who our offensive coordinator is, you would think he’s “banging that square peg expecting it to rocket through the round hole.” I’m not trying to absolve Malzahn from any blame, but we don’t have a good enough quarterback to run any offense right now.
Hit me up on Google+
by jd is legend on Nov 14, 2011 4:09 PM CST up reply actions
But Malzahn has turned every QB he's ever touched to gold...
I’m not sure QB play is the problem behind this line.
2011 LSU Accolades:
"Saban thoroughly outcoached by Miles" -Jen Engel, Fox Sports
"I really like corndogs" -Sparky
"Imperial Intergalactic Overlord Barkevious Mingo" -Andy Staples
"If Alabama's defense is a boa constrictor, slowly sucking the life out of opposing offenses, LSU's is more like a goon that throws the offense into a burlap sack and starts beating it with a stick." -Matt Hinton
"Oregon’s Chip Kelly is generally considered a coaching mastermind. Miles toyed with him here Saturday night." -Dan Wetzel, Yahoo Sports
"I don’t want to say that I think Mo Claiborne is faster than Patrick Peterson…..but I think Mo Claiborne is faster than Patrick Peterson." -Les Miles
So what you're saying is you would rather finish the season 7-5 with a Pro Set offense.....
rather than the spread? That makes no sense.
I don't troll so I reserve the right to berate trolls as I see fit.
Just so you know I won't forget.....LSU Jonno predicted we would finish 5th in the west in '11.
This isn't a troll post
How do you reconcile what Chris Todd accomplished in 2009? He had a pretty good year for being a poor QB, no?
I think it’s mostly the O-line that’s the issue. I think yalls QB’s are ok.
2011 LSU Accolades:
"Saban thoroughly outcoached by Miles" -Jen Engel, Fox Sports
"I really like corndogs" -Sparky
"Imperial Intergalactic Overlord Barkevious Mingo" -Andy Staples
"If Alabama's defense is a boa constrictor, slowly sucking the life out of opposing offenses, LSU's is more like a goon that throws the offense into a burlap sack and starts beating it with a stick." -Matt Hinton
"Oregon’s Chip Kelly is generally considered a coaching mastermind. Miles toyed with him here Saturday night." -Dan Wetzel, Yahoo Sports
"I don’t want to say that I think Mo Claiborne is faster than Patrick Peterson…..but I think Mo Claiborne is faster than Patrick Peterson." -Les Miles
I think you're right
It’s hard to blame your QB when your OL and WRs aren’t getting the job done either. It’s a team game, and turning a knob in one place causes something to drop in another. When in doubt, I attribute problems to line play.
by first and thom on Nov 14, 2011 4:27 PM CST up reply actions
I disagree....
I don’t think the Meyer led Gator teams were an anomoly…….and I don’t think it would matter which scheme were run this season without an OL to control the line of scrimmage it would look dismal in the pro set or power I.
I don't troll so I reserve the right to berate trolls as I see fit.
Just so you know I won't forget.....LSU Jonno predicted we would finish 5th in the west in '11.
In truth, the spread in our losses is getting larger and larger.
Clemson: 14.
Arky: 24
LSU: 35
Georgia: 38
Unless those kids get a huge helping of gumption and blockabilities, the Bama game looks, well, unwinnable. I do like Chizik’s attitude, about picking yourself up and getting back to work. Those kids have to feel completely demoralized. But this is the type of season that is painful to watch, but builds character…in all of us.
My hope is that if when Malzahn takes another job, that Roof is given another year. I also hope that Roof and Chiz come to an understanding and Roof is given the freedom to rehab defenses like he has in the past.
Outside of missed blocks and wiffed tackles, we have a huge confidence problem. A team with more confidence brushes off the mistakes (eg, 14 points caused by AU offensive turnovers) and gets back to work. Currently, our team takes those mistakes and suddenly collapses into full-on meltdown of ugly. Start fixing the confidence issue and we have a shot-ignore it and we won’t see improvement in 2012.
"We see the door; we're here to knock it down"-Cam Newton
by Tiger on the mountain on Nov 14, 2011 9:05 AM CST reply actions
WOW
So now you’re more of a Roof fan than Malzahn? Are you serious?
It's Auburn against the world. Good luck world.
Like a heart attack....
"We see the door; we're here to knock it down"-Cam Newton
by Tiger on the mountain on Nov 14, 2011 10:16 AM CST up reply actions
Hopefully the Coaching Staff stays intact for next season and then I can point back to this post and say I told you so.....
I don't troll so I reserve the right to berate trolls as I see fit.
Just so you know I won't forget.....LSU Jonno predicted we would finish 5th in the west in '11.
What I'm trying to say,
is that if we loose any coaching staff, I hope it is because they have found a better opportunity, not because they are fired. Personally, I’m a fan of both Malzahn and Roof. I think both are doing what they can with the personnel available—this goes for the assistants as well. Bad things happen when you have a continuous revolving door in the coaching department. And everyone wants immediate results, results take time. Without proper time to condition, freshmen look like 5th year high school seniors. That’s just the reality.
My points above were made to call out the folks that are ragging on the defense without looking at the offensive woes. Let’s be at least fair in our criticism. I don’t want to give the perception that I think that any coach should go. But the reality is that we will likely loose Malzahn in the offseason……
"We see the door; we're here to knock it down"-Cam Newton
by Tiger on the mountain on Nov 15, 2011 8:46 AM CST up reply actions
I cannot see him coming back. I damn sure wouldn't.
Roof loves to blitz too. It’s Roof’s demeanor and personality that I don’t like. However, I’d probably leave if I were him too. They are not allowing him to be aggressive like he would prefer. I’m still behind Chizik. I just think on this one he’s wrong that’s all. That said, I am behind Gene 100% I just wish he would get a coordinator he doesn’t feel the need to change. If, I’m right about any of this. I may be horribly wrong though and I’m not blind to the OL play. Nobody could do anything with the way they blocked. Bo Jackson would not have 100 yards I don’t think. It was just that bad and that pathetic. The OL has taken injuries as well and they’re just about all banged up right now.
It's Auburn against the world. Good luck world.
When Rod Bramlett says "this team looks as if it has quit"...
and that is near the end of the 1st half…. there isn’t much els to do is there?
This is a HEAD COACHING ISSUE.
FIX IT GENE.
WDE
Three things that bothered me about the game
1. We had two weeks to prepare and it didn’t show at all.
2. We called a time-out in the first quarter on 3rd and 8 (or something like that), and we came back in with an off-tackle run that got about 2 yards. We needed to burn a time-out for that?
3. The most demoralizing thing for me was the pictures of our guys on the sidelines. They were just sitting there looking whipped and dazed. I know that the camera as looking for dramatic shots, but I wanted to see our boys huddled around a playbook or talking with coaches. They look like they just gave up after that fumble in the first quarter.
Jay’s right (as usual) – we seem to be regressing, not improving. I was never crazy about the “we’re a young team” argument anyway – what, we only started true freshmen this year? And after 10 games, our guys ain’t so young anymore.
Who knows what the answer is? It breaks all of our hearts to see our team get dominated and utterly outplayed. A lot of the guys just look clueless, and ultimately that’s probably a coaching issue.
War. Damn. Eagle.
Beat Samford
by Carrollton Tiger on Nov 14, 2011 9:26 AM CST reply actions
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