New Twist To Amen Corner
by aubtigerman on Feb 10, 2011 12:16 PM CST
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Auburn's T Sharvin Bell sacks Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy during the 2010 Iron Bowl
For the first time in close to fifty years Auburn will not have to play Alabama and Georgia back to back at the end of the 2011 season.
Auburn has agreed to the SEC's request to move their open date before the 2011 Iron Bowl.
The move is in response to Alabama's complaint to the league office about the number of SEC schools (6) that had open dates before playing the Tide in 2010. The conference has been trying to get teams to agree to move those open dates.
Auburn was able to make their schedule move when homecoming foe Samford University agreed to play the Tigers on the week before the Iron Bowl. Next year's game will also be moved back to Saturday, which should make it easier for fans to attend the game. I know my family will be happy with the Iron Bowl's return to a Saturday kickoff.
The move accommodates the league's request and at the same time allows Auburn to not have to play 11 straight games before getting a break. Auburn will now have their open week before the Georgia game.
I have always felt that Auburn had a particularly tough task playing their two biggest rivals back to back at the end of the season. And for many years it was even tougher.
Before the league split into divisions, Auburn had to end the year playing Florida, Georgia, and Alabama; prompting former Coach Pat Dye to dub that part of the schedule, "Amen Corner." The move should help Auburn this year since they will have their break after the ninth week instead of after week eleven.
Although I personally like having a week off before playing Bama, the change comes at a good time due to an especially tough road schedule. The Tigers play Clemson, South Carolina, Arkansas, LSU, and Georgia all on the road in 2011.
However, Gene Chizik proved this year that it makes no difference. No matter what happens, the Tigers just "continue to do what they do." Auburn will be ready anytime, anyplace to tee it up.
And now that the 2010 season is barely over, I have to admit that I am already looking forward with anticipation to teeing it up September 3rd.
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Funny as it sounds
…but I don’t want to split these games apart. I think the team collectively hunkers down at this point in the season because they know what is on the line. We’ve always done it that way.
Let it go this year, but move it back for next.
I guess they'll be scalping tickets for A-Day this spring.
by War Eagle Atlanta on Feb 10, 2011 2:11 PM CST reply actions
Yeah, it's going to seem funny not playing back to back rival games.
But I like having thje game back on Saturday. Having it on Friday has been a hassel for Thanksgiving plans and a problem for others to get off of work.
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
It will be weird this year with the games split.
I do think that given the youth of the team and all of the road tests coming, the earlier break will be a nice reprieve.
by Tiger on the mountain on Feb 10, 2011 3:01 PM CST reply actions
I still think it's too late.
The open week needs to be a week earlier I think to really get the full effectiveness of a week off close to the end of the season. Still,a week off after 9 straight weeks sounds really good to me. Finally, Georgia is going to have us when we’re not flat out exhausted this time. Now, we’re going to have plenty of energy and we won’t be dog tired by the time that game rolls around this season. Hmm…maybe I should have said Dawgs.
It's Auburn against the world. Good luck world.
Perhaps somecould could give
Alabama a little cheese to go with their whine. Why should the SEC be requesting teams move their open dates? Seems to me that is just the price of success – if you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.
I’ve been an Auburn fan for a long long time, but I’ve always tried to keep a level composure towards our “friends” across the state…..I am really starting to hate those guys.
I need a cold shower and a copy of the Auburn Creed
Agreed with the whine
I do, however, like having an open date before the UAT game, (Samford is really an open date) and LOVE the move to Saturday. Try this on for size. Pat Sullivan gives the team a pep talk after the game. I could see it happening.
I just hope they erect the Saban statue/altar/shrine before he leaves
Auburn had it tough for years,
Having to play Fla. – Ga. – Bama back to back. We never cried about it. Seems they could ask for when their open date should be placed on the schedule and let other teams do the same.
Your right Jonesy
And that is important to note. It really puts in to perspective just how impressive it was for Pat Dye teams to win 4 SEC Championships during those years.
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
Interesting Change
It will be very odd to think about not having two whole weeks to prepare and think about the iron bowl. This is similar to when Alabama played Georgia State the week before us as a tune up game last year. Still I am not apposed to the idea.
Samford? Really? When was the last time we played them and how often has this happened? I thought we avoided in state bottom feeders for a reason (ask Va Tech about the pros and cons of that scenario).
last played them in 1993
also played them in 92. Total score of the two games was 90-7 if memory serves. If we lose that game we deserve everything we ever hear about it
In 1992...
…..Auburn finished 5-5-1, got hammered 45-21by Ole Miss, and it took a late score to creak by Southwestern Louisiana 25-24. Samford? Got absolutely HAMMERED! 55-0 Auburn.
…..The 1993 squad started the season with only 6 offensive plays installed. Toss sweep, counter, belly to the fullback, draw, square out pass to Frank Sanders, and a fake reverse. Still mauled Samford 35-7. It was 28-7 at the half. Stephen Davis got the start at tailback, and played the first college snaps of his career.
This has needed to happen for years
Sure, I love the tradition of amen corner, but I’d much rather have Corner with that hiccup in the middle. It’d be even better if we could get a homecoming game against someone prior to UGA and move the bye week up a little more. We fans get really hung up on tradition and rightfully so, but I’ve been of the opinion that the late season bye has hurt AU for a long time. We need to capitalize on this.
"I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass...and I'm all out of bubblegum."
You are completely correct.
I’m here to take names and kick ass…and I’m all out of ass.
I’ve got my pencil and paper right here I’m ready!!!
It's Auburn against the world. Good luck world.
Did anyone complain from Auburn?
When the schedule had nearly every team with a patsy before playing us?
LSU – McNeese State
Bama – Ga St
Miss St – Memphis
UGA – Idaho St
USC – Furman
Only Ole Miss (Ark) and Ark (Texas A&M) had a decent game before us.
UAT always complaining.
A very good point sullivan013. No complaining from AU. UAT is never in favor of a level playing field.
Tough schedule coming up for AU.
But then again, trying to make an SEC schedule easy is like herding cats in a lightening storm.
That white stuff on the top of chickencrap...... is chickencrap.
It is what it is
We could not do worse than 2010 with all the games without an open date. Think about this, when you are on a roll, do you want to have a letdown or change of schedule? I think we benefited from it as opposed to playing through it. The road games in 2011 will be tough to be sure but, we have more people this year to come in. Depth at more positions than we have had in a while.
I just hope they erect the Saban statue/altar/shrine before he leaves
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