Will Chris Todd get the starting nod on opening day?

By Jay Coulter
jccoulter@gmail.com

It took less time to determine the 2000 presidential election than it has taken for Auburn to name a starting quarterback. Offensive coordinator Tony Franklin assures us this is a good thing. Most Auburn fans will tell you they feel more comfortable with Kodi Burns. He's an easy choice considering we know very little about challenger Chris Todd.

But those who've spent the summer and fall camp practicing with Todd will tell you that he's more than capable of holding his own. "Those two guys are neck-and-neck right now," said wide receiver Rod Smith.

"Like Coach Franklin says every day, we have a major problem. We have two great quarterbacks, and don't know who's going to pull ahead of one another."

Who actually starts against Louisiana-Monroe really means more to fans than coaches. Franklin has been out front about the plan to play both of them extensively in the game.

So what do we know about Chris Todd? So far, he's best known for having a sore arm during the spring and not being able to compete one-on-one with Burns. Franklin obviously thought enough of him to keep the competition open through the summer and into fall practice.

Todd threw for nearly 11,000 yards during high school in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, setting the all-time state passing record. During his senior campaign he led his team to the Kentucky Class 2A State Championship after throwing 38 touchdowns. Highly recruited, Todd chose Texas Tech and Coach Mike Leach's run-and-gun offense.

He appeared to be the quarterback of the future for the Red Raiders. He played in five games as a redshirt-freshman, throwing for 241 yards and a touchdown. However, as the season progressed it became clear that he would not win the quarterback battle.

Todd rolled the dice and enrolled at Hutchinson Junior College in Kansas. He already had a plan. He would play a year in Kansas and then reunite with Franklin at Troy. Franklin served as a consultant to Todd's high school team and taught his system to him in Kentucky. Troy's quarterback, Omar Haugabook was graduating in 2007 and Todd was planning to step in at that position.

You know the rest of the story. Franklin comes to Auburn in December and his first call is to Todd. So here we are. Questions abound about both quarterbacks. Can Todd stay healthy? Can he compete in the SEC? Does his arm strength offset Burns ability to run?

Because scrimmages have been closed, these are questions we really don't know the answers to yet. We'll certainly know soon. Let's hope they are ready to play. My guess is we'll need them both.

Kirsty Coventry led Auburn's gold rush at the Olympic games.

By Jay Coulter
jccoulter@gmail.com

I hope you'll oblige me today and let me veer away from football a little. Over the past week I've realized that most of us have missed out on something special. You probably already know what I'm talking about.

I'm referring to the Auburn swim team and the group of athletes that have represented the United States and other countries during these Olympic Games. We are all aware of the numerous national championships both the men and women's teams have won over the last decade. But to see them perform at this level on a world stage makes you realize how incredibly special the Auburn swim program is.

I'll admit I've never set foot in the Aquatic Center. Shame on me. I hope you've been smarter. If not, we've all missed out on seeing some of the best athletes in the world compete.

Sure football is big and shines a huge light on the University. But I would argue that during the first week of the Olympic Games, Auburn has gotten more exposure than at anytime in its history. It's a mighty big statement. But numbers don't lie.

Before some of the largest television audiences to ever watch an Olympics, Auburn dominated in a way no other University can claim. Michael Phelps and Dana Torres aside, Auburn was the big story of the Olympic swim competition.

On Friday night in a span of little more than a half hour, Auburn swimmers captured two gold medals and a silver. In a first for Auburn, Kirsty Coventry and Margaret Hoelzer took gold and silver in the 200m backstroke. Coventry, swimming for her native Zimbabwe, set a world record in the process.

A few minutes later, former Tiger Cesar Cielo, swimming for Brazil, won the gold medal in the 50m freestyle and set an Olympic record.

The following night, Auburn picked up more when Mark Gangloff added gold in the 400m medley relay. Matt Targett, swimming for Australia, took home the silver.

After a week in Beijing, Auburn swimmers racked up 13 medals; that's more than double the previous record. The 13 medals also give the Tigers the most of any university in the country. California was second with 10. The closest SEC school was Florida with eight.

Watching the Olympics to pass the time between now and football season, I became hooked. I didn't plan on pulling for Auburn until the end of the month. These athletes gave me a chance early and took me (and all of us) on one hell of a ride.

I'll be in Jordan-Hare Stadium two Saturdays from now. But I can't wait until the start of Auburn swim season.  Who would have thought it?

It seems that every year in the Southeastern Conference there is a team that doesn't quite live up to their potential. Actually, that is an understatement. Let's say that every year there is a team that totally screws the pooch in the SEC. In 2000, the Tide started the season ranked 3rd in the country. They lost early and never ever recovered ending up at a stellar 3-8.

In 2001, the Auburn Tigers were the team. The Tigers looked awesome at times, and at other times looked dismal. Wins against the top-ranked Gators and a gutsy win at Georgia were squandered by a season ending injury to Cadillac Williams in the first quarter against Alabama. Auburn didn't recover from that injury and what looked like a promising season ended very badly with 3 straight losses. 8-5 You're welcome LSU!

In 2003, Auburn was the canine screwer again. A national championship caliber team lost 2 to start the season and never fully recovered. They ended up 8-5. Again, you're welcome LSU!

In 2006, Georgia took home the Gold of teams that lost when they shouldn't have. Along with an Auburn team that lost heavily AT HOME to Georgia and Arkansas.

In 2007, South Carolina took top honors by losing their last five games......

So, who is this years Dud? If I was a betting man, I'd go with Georgia because I don't think they have it in them to weather their harsh schedule.

But, I am not a betting man. I am a man that has sat quietly (until now) and watched Les Miles get away with some of the most BONEHEADED calls in the history of the game. If you look back, LSU hasn't actually beaten Auburn on the field since 2003. It has taken some seriously messed up divine intervention to grant them the successes that they have had. So, that being said, LSU is my team to squander opportunities and to totally screw the pooch this year.

They will start off 3-0 before playing Auburn, but that's where it will get interesting. LSU will lose handily to Auburn. Then, a Miss State team with a grudge will upset them. State is returning nine on a good defense. They will then get bamboozled by Florida.

The next week against South Carolina will be about the same outcome as with Miss State. Georgia will utterly embarrass Les Miles at home and increase the already uncontrollable heat on him. Then, two weeks later, Nick Saban will have a hand at his former school's demise.

By the time the next week comes around, things will be out of control. Miles will be the first guy to win a national championship and be in this type predicament. Ole Miss and Houston Nutt will be calling. Nutt has a good football team and things will get ugly when the final kneel down is made. LSU will beat Arkansas the next week in a feeble attempt at getting a bowl game, but they won't get it.

My prediction: LSU 6-6.

Thus goes the tyrant and that incredibly whimsical pony he road in on......

War Eagle

We are rounding the corner folks. It seems like I spend almost my entire work day ingesting anything Auburn in preparation for this season. I came across this online yesterday. Most of you have prob already seen it, but for someone who wasn't alive in 1972 this is as close as I can get:

http://www.theamazinsmovie.com/doc.html

Also, I've sort of started my own tradition the last few years as AU football gets closer. I know everyone has seen these articles, but I like to reread 'em right before each season. Gets me fired up for home games and makes you appreciate how great it really is to be an Auburn Tiger:

http://www.wardamntailgate.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=125

http://www.coloradotigers.com/concourse/quotes_syracuse.htm

Just a few more weeks. WAR EAGLE!!!

A Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium is not cheap.

By Jay Coulter
jccoulter@gmail.com

I can still remember it like it was yesterday.  My first Auburn game: October 4, 1975. Auburn vs. Virginia Tech. Ticket price: $7.00. As a student in the 80's I paid $24 for season tickets.

My how times have changed. As Auburn gets ready for another football season, you have to wonder what effect the economy will have on Auburn attendance. If season ticket sales are any indication, the answer is not much.

But there's more to it than just ticket sales.

Will fans drive from Birmingham, Mobile or even Atlanta? With gas prices still hovering near $4.00 a gallon and everything from food to tailgating supplies going up in price, you wonder whether there will be a flood of tickets available on game day.

Sure there will be a full house for LSU, Tennessee and Georgia. But what about Louisiana-Monroe, Southern Miss and Arkansas? I won't even ask the question of Tennessee-Martin.

Unfortunately, Auburn and the rest of the SEC are catching up with professional sports in how much they charge to attend games. I recently read where Auburn was second in the conference behind only Florida in what it asked fans to "donate" to the athletic department in order to be allowed to purchase season tickets. In Auburn's case we are talking about Tigers Unlimited.

Before we go any farther, let me say that I'm not bashing Auburn alone. It's a problem that permeates all of college and professional sports. Let's face it: the average family can barely afford to attend even one game a year. That means there are thousands of kids that will never get exposed to Auburn football like we did because of money.

All college programs are in an arms race. We all want the best stadium, the best locker rooms and the best practice facilities. With these amenities come the best athletes in the country. But it comes at the expense of thousands of people who know Auburn only through television.

Let's take a look at the cost of season tickets for a family of four to attend Auburn's seven home games this year. First you must make a donation of $220 per seat to sit in the end-zone or upper deck. To get better seats, you'll have to give more: either $350 for blue zone seats or $500 for orange zone seats.

But let's keep it cheap and go with the $220 per seat option. The upfront donation is $880. Then we must buy the tickets. This season they'll run you $350 per set. Add it all up and you've spent $2,280 before you hit the Auburn city limits - and that's for upper deck seats. Add in food, beer, soft drinks and a few souvenirs and suddenly you're limping back to the car with a big dent in your wallet.

College football is big time now. In many ways that's good.  Instead of getting two games a week on television, we now get 15. Instead of one weekly television show, we now have hundreds.

But along the way we've lost something. For many, the days of taking their son or daughter to several games a year are gone. Even more will likely never set foot in Jordan-Hare and experience the team taking the field as the band plays or experience the sounds of an Auburn touchdown.

Who says bigger is better?

Hat Tip to the War Eagle Reader

You have to like Auburn's chances of getting lucky number seven.

Editor's Note: Acid Reign has spent the past three months previewing each of Auburn's contests this season. Today, in his 12th installment he looks at the Iron Bowl. I guarantee you won't find a more thorough preview than here. Phil Steele has nothing on Acid Reign.  Enjoy...

By Acid Reign
Paraswarm@aol.com

     November 29^th is the BIG day, in 2008. It's Iron Bowl time, and it's never too early to start the hype! Auburn travels to Tuscaloosa this year, to play arch-rival Alabama, in Bryant-Denny Stadium. Auburn has never lost in Tuscaloosa, an undefeated record dating back to 1895, when John Heisman's Tigers invaded T-town, and came away with a 48-0 victory. It took Alabama 107 years to even score on Auburn in Tuscaloosa, a drought broken in 2002 by Santonio Beard, on a 1 yard run in the 3^rd quarter.

     Both teams will have a bye week prior to the Iron Bowl, to rest up after tough SEC slates. Prior to the off week, Alabama will have played a tough stretch of games, including Ole Miss, at Tennessee, Arkansas State, at LSU, and Mississippi State. For television possibilities, the Iron Bowl will compete for attention with Florida at Florida State, Georgia at Georgia Tech, Kentucky at Tennessee, South Carolina at Clemson, and Vanderbilt at Wake Forest. Barring resurgences of FSU, Ga. Tech, or South Carolina, the pageantry and hatred of the Iron Bowl should make it the best pick of the week, nationally.

     Alabama has a new offensive coordinator, this season. Replacing the oft-criticized Major Applewhite is Jim McElwain, formerly of Fresno State. McElwain revamped the Bulldog offense to great success last season, racking up 418 yards per game. The Alabama offense will operate behind a veteran line with several star blockers, including senior center Antoine Caldwell, and junior star left tackle Andre Smith, a pre-season Playboy All-American. Smith is listed at 348 pounds. Bama returns veteran running backs, tight ends, and senior quarterback John Parker Wilson. The wide receiver corps was hit hard by graduation, but senior Nikita Stover and junior Mike McCoy return with experience, and great things are expected out of incoming signee Julio Jones, the number one recruit in the nation, according to some sources.

     On defense, coach Nick Saban and defensive coordinators Kirby Smart and Kevin Steele are still struggling to put together a starting line up. Despite questionable talent last season, this crew put up respectable numbers, finishing sixth in the SEC in total defense, and fourth in scoring defense. The 2008 edition of the Crimson Tide defense will be minus a number of stars from a year ago, including monster end Wallace Gilberry, shut-down corner Simeon Castille, safety Marcus Carter, and three starting linebackers. Of returners expected to contribute at linebacker, Jimmy Johns was tossed from the team after an arrest, and Prince Hall is currently suspended. While Alabama should be able to piece together a reasonably capable starting lineup, depth is a big issue. Expect to see a number of true freshmen pressed into service. Alabama will need good injury luck to stay solvent on defense.

     Alabama's special teams are headlined by the explosive, dangerous return man, senior Javier Arenas. Junior punter P. J. Fitzgerald returns, and Tide folks hope that he can improve on his 38.4 yard average. Junior kicker Leigh Tiffin returns as well, after setting a single season Alabama points record for a kicker. Alabama was very good covering kicks last season, and figures to be solid again, this year.

Matchups (It's a Bama depth chart, ai'ght?)

Auburn defensive line vs. Alabama offensive line: Alabama's offensive line is easily the strength of the team, with four starters returning. The starting right tackle from a year ago, junior Mike Johnson, is expected to move to left guard. In his place will likely be junior Drew Davis. Alabama has had great difficulty handling speedy pass rushers off the right side in recent years, and it is hoped that Davis will finally shore that problem up. Junior all-star tackle Andre Smith will nail down the left side. Solid senior center Antoine Caldwell returns, as does senior right guard Marlon Davis. Auburn counters this unit with a talented front, led by junior tackle SenDerrick Marks. Auburn has the depth to rotate players, and may have a fatigue edge by the 4^th quarter. Advantage: Even.

Auburn linebackers vs. Alabama runners: With a solid line, Bama runners had a good season last year. However, durability was an issue. Sophomore Terry Grant returns after piling up 891 yards in an injury-shortened All-SEC Freshman Team season. Juniors Glen Coffee and Roy Upchurch return, bringing about 800 rushing yards of production from last season to the Bama backfield. Auburn will counter with a fast, deep and lethal linebacker corps led by junior Tray Blackmon. Alabama had little success running on Auburn last year, averaging only 3.1 yards per carry. Advantage: Auburn.

Auburn corners vs. Alabama receivers: Alabama was hit hard by graduation in this area, losing D. J. Hall, Keith Brown, and Matt Caddell. Alabama's likely starters this season are veteran senior Nikita Stover, junior Mike McCoy, and true freshman Julio Jones. There is no experience beyond Stover and McCoy. Auburn will defend with Jerraud Powers,Walter McFadden, and true freshman backups. The height of Jones will likely be a difficult matchup for the smaller Auburn corners. Advantage: Alabama.

Auburn safeties vs. Alabama secondary receivers and quarterback: Auburn's Zach Etheridge and Michael McNeil will try to contain a potent attack. John Parker Wilson will be back for his 3^rd season as a starter, but there is no game experience behind him. Wilson was inconsistent last season, going through streaks where he had difficulty getting the ball to open receivers. His completion percentages in Bama's A-Day, and their first scrimmage of the fall (17 of 30, 56.6 percent) indicate that this may still be a problem. Alabama senior tight ends, Nick Walker and Travis McCall, are veterans; solid as blockers, and capable as receivers. Advantage: Alabama, on experience.

Punting: Auburn punted well last season, and has several strong legs returning, led by sophomore pre-season All-SEC Ryan Shoemaker, who averaged 42.4 yards per punt in 2007. Shoemaker downed 16 of 49 balls inside the 20 yard line. Alabama returns junior punter P. J. Fitzgerald, who averaged 38.4 yards per punt, with 20 of 64 punts downed inside the 20 yard line. The Bama coverage was stifling, holding opponents to 6.6 yards per return. Auburn held opponents to 6.5. Javier Arenas is an electrifying returner for the Tide, with three career touchdown returns, and a gaudy 15.4 yard average last season. Auburn returner Robert Dunn averaged 9.4. Advantage: Auburn.

Kickoffs: Auburn hopes to improve on short kicks and dismal coverage a year ago, kicking it an average of 57.9 yards, and giving up 21.2 per return. That's an average opponent starting position at the 33 yard line. Alabama junior Leigh Tiffin returns for the Tide, averaging 60 yards per kickoff. The Tide gave up only 17.9 yards per return. Auburn has senior returner Tristan Davis back, who led the nation in 2006, averaging 27.0 yards per return. Alabama senior Javier Arenas averaged 24.3 last season. Advantage: Alabama.

Placekicking: Auburn sophomore Wes Byrum returns, after a stellar freshman season in which he hit 17 of 23 field goal attempts. Alabama's Leigh Tiffin hit 25 out of 34, to set an Alabama kicking record of 111 points. Percentage-wise, the two kickers are virtually identical. Advantage: Even.

Auburn offensive line vs. Alabama defensive line: The bulk of Auburn's line returns, with depth, talent, and experience behind the starters. Alabama returns two starters, juniors Brandon Deaderick and Lorenzo Washington. Those two starters from last season combined for a grand total of 5 sacks, and only 7.5 tackles for a loss. Veteran senior Bobby Greenwood will take the place of the departed Wallace Gilberry, having played in 38 games with 8 career starts. There is little depth behind these three. All three starting linemen are in the 270-290 pound range, and not terribly quick. They will have great difficulty holding the line against Auburn. Big Advantage: Auburn.

Auburn backs vs. Alabama linebackers: Auburn has speed, strength, and depth at tailback, with Brad Lester, Ben Tate, and Tristan Davis all returning. In addition, a pair talented true freshmen have been turning some heads in fall camp. Alabama must replace three of four starters at linebacker, and the pool of replacements has thinned due to arrests and suspensions. At this time, it appears likely that junior Prince Hall will be back from his suspension by Iron Bowl time, and he's probably the most talented of the Bama bunch. Penciled in very lightly, as starters for now, are freshman Don'ta Hightower, sophomore Rolando McClain, freshman Jerrell Harris, and junior Brandon Fanney. McClain is experienced, and is huge for a modern-day SEC linebacker, at 249 pounds. Fanney's even larger, at 257, and will be used as a hybrid LB/rush end. It's a very green unit for the Tide, and it will be interesting to see how the Tide's size matches up with Auburn speed. Big Advantage: Auburn.

Auburn receivers vs. Alabama corners: Auburn returns most of its receiving corps from a year ago, and has seen dramatic improvement from previously under-utilized players this year. In addition, at least two true freshmen have shown sufficient talent and speed to be in the playing rotation early. Alabama returns one starting corner, sophomore Kareem Jackson, who got his feet wet last season, with 66 tackles and 3 interceptions. Jackson was named to some freshman All-American teams. He's a tall corner who can fly! The likely starter opposite Jackson is senior Javier Arenas. Arenas is smaller, at only 5'9". He has the speed to play corner, but his playing time there has been limited to nickel and dime packages in the past. Like Auburn, Alabama will likely use a lot of freshmen for depth. Kareem Jackson can probably take one receiver away from Auburn, but that's not terribly comforting against a spread attack, for Bama fans. Advantage: Auburn.

Auburn secondary receivers and quarterback vs. Alabama safeties: Auburn will start a pair of new quarterbacks, this season, in Kodi Burns and Chris Todd. By game 12, they should be fairly seasoned. With a Bama front seven that likely won't be able to get pressure without blitzing, they should have open receivers to throw to, and time to do it. Alabama will have to find a way to contain speedy slot receivers/tight ends like Tommy Trott, Robert Dunn, and Terrell Zachary. Bama returns senior strong safety Rashad Johnson, who was All-SEC a year ago, and had 6 interceptions. Freshman Mark Barron is the likely starter at free safety. While Alabama has a quality cover corner and a good safety, there will be a lot of inexperience spread across the field trying to defend Auburn's relentless attack. Advantage: Auburn.

     This may be a more high-scoring Iron Bowl than any in recent memory. Alabama has big play potential on offense against a green Auburn secondary. Auburn's spread should run a young, thin Alabama defense ragged. I'm trying to imagine Alabama's large linemen and linebackers trying to lumber back to the line quickly in the 4^th quarter against Auburn's no-huddle, and I can't! The key for Auburn will be to limit mistakes on the road in a hostile stadium. Auburn should be able to slow down Alabama's running game, and must keep Bama receivers in front and make the tackle. Wilson will get some completions, but we must keep them from being break-away touchdowns. If Wilson is forced to sustain drives with his arm, he will miss enough throws to derail some drives. On offense, Auburn must take care of the ball. Auburn's attack is exactly what the Tide is least-equipped to defend against, and should have a big day.

Prediction: Alabama does get a few big plays to electrify Bryant Denny Stadium, but the Auburn spread is too much. Auburn rolls the Tide: 45-21, to win the SEC Western Division, and finish 11-1. Next up? Tebow... War Eagle!

By Jay Coulter
jccoulter@gmail.com

Honk if you've had your ass kicked by Lee Ziemba. If you haven't heard, there was another throw down at practice on Tuesday. This time it involved offensive lineman Ryan Pugh and defensive end Antonio Coleman with an assist by Ziemba. Those at practice said it was a good one. It started during one-on-one blocking drills. Pugh and Coleman began mouthing off at each other and it escalated from there.

According to Evan Woodbery of The Mobile Register, "the fight spilled over into the area where the offensive line was gathered. Then the scrum was really going. An ice and water cooler was overturned and Coleman and Pugh tumbled to the ground. With coaches yelling to break it up, a helmet-less Lee Ziemba dashed in to join the fray. He was eventually pushed back by an angry manager. Defensive ends coach Terry Price was livid. Tommy Tuberville had arrived by this time, and he yelled at both sides to quit beating up on teammates."

You'll remember that Ziemba and Coleman tied up during a spring scrimmage that resulted in Coleman being carried off in an ambulance and suffering a cervical sprain. Apparently, there's still some bad blood there. This is the second fight this week that Ziemba has been a part of. A few days ago he tied up with defensive end Antoine Carter.

Say what you will; this is good stuff. This offensive line is plain nasty.  I love the enthusiasm. It's hot, humid and miserable on the practice field. Tempers are flaring and believe it or not this will bring all the players closer - if they don't kill each other first.

Even Tuberville seemed to enjoy it. When asked about it he said, "I hope they are foul everyday. I hope they're in a foul mood. That's what football's about. They're not going to hurt anybody."

Now you know what comes today.  All of the rednecks across Alabama who couldn't find Tuscaloosa with a GPS and two road maps will be calling Finebaum and the other shows talking about the problems at Auburn. Please.

It's funny to me that they're more concerned about the fights at Auburn than the fact their former linebacker was selling crack cocaine out of the back of his car at the Bama athletic complex.

As expected, Auburn's opener with Louisiana-Monroe will be available on pay-per-view. Here are the details from Auburn Sports Information...

The 2008 Auburn football season opener on Aug. 30 against Louisiana-Monroe will be offered on pay-per-view. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m. (CT) at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Pay-per-view will be available in the states of Alabama and Louisiana to cable subscribers and small dish owners who subscribe to DirecTV or Dish Network.

Fans should contact their local cable provider or small dish provider to order the game.

Other home dish owners should contact 1-800-TV-STARS to order the game. Commercial establishments should contact their local cable company or dial 1-800-TV-STARS for feed information.

Finally, if you haven't had a chance to download the Auburn Podcast hosted by Tiger play-by-play man Rod Bramblett then you need to click here.  It's a really good show. It's recorded each Monday and Friday and includes interviews with Coach Tuberville, the coordinators and the players. You can listen to the broadcast on your computer, Ipod or mp3 player.

Tuberville hopes to have his team back in Atlanta this year.

By Jay Coulter
jccoulter@gmail.com

If we've heard it once, we've heard it debated a million times this summer.  Who's the best coach in the SEC? This is typical summer fodder for football fans.  I mean, you can only talk about the spread offense for so long until you finally just have to see it.

Numerous writers have tried to characterize the quality of this year's group of SEC coaches. The best ever?  Maybe.

So where does Tommy Tuberville stand? It has to be frustrating to continually hear about the five coaches who've already won national championships in the conference. Add in the coverage Georgia Coach Mark Richt is getting because of his Bulldogs being ranked preseason number one and suddenly Tuberville is the forgotten man.

I was listening to the College Football Insider podcast last week hosted by Ivan Maisel and Beano Cook and they were pontificating about the great coaches in the SEC. They mentioned all the big names: Meyer, Spurrier, Richt, Saban, Miles and Fulmer. What about Tuberville? Not a word.

It's doubtful Tuberville sits around and thinks about these things. But I'm sure Auburn fans do. It's hard not to notice. So why does Tuberville appear to get less credit and coverage than the other big names in the SEC?

To say that 2004 was terrible luck for Tuberville and Auburn is an understatement. No time in recent memory have the top two ranked teams started and finished the year that way. Unfortunately, greatness is measured by how many championships you win, whether they are national or conference titles.

Even though Tuberville's team ran through the conference schedule unscathed four years ago, something few of the SEC's national champions have done, it still doesn't get him the credit he deserves. You either win it or you don't. It's a tough reality for all of us.

The strength of Tuberville's tenure at Auburn has been its consistency. Few teams can match what he's accomplished after nine seasons on the Plains. The numbers are staggering. Over the last four years, he's compiled a record of 42-9 which is fifth best nationally. Since coming to Auburn, more than 33 percent of his opponents have been ranked in the top 25 at the time of the game. Amazingly, Tuberville has won nine of last 12 games against top 10 opponents.

Does not winning it all mean he's less of a coach than the others who have in the conference? Certainly not. But for the national media, it's an easy line to draw in the sand.

Few ever point out that he's manhandled Saban, Fulmer and Meyer since coming to Auburn and held his own against Richt and Miles. Using this criteria it's hard not to place him in the top two of the SEC.

Tuberville knows this and has acknowledged that he's got to get a little better to complete the last hurdle. Give him credit: he's rolled the dice by bringing in Tony Franklin and his Spread Offense. It's the great mystery of the upcoming season. Can it work in the SEC? Tuberville is betting it can and believes it can get him back to Atlanta and beyond.

I can't imagine any Auburn person not being pleased with the man from Camden, Arkansas. He does it right. The NCAA has not sniffed Auburn since his arrival and most importantly, he graduates his players.

If the Auburn administration and board of trustees will keep its distance from Tuberville, chances are he'll win more conference championships and get a shot at another national title. Consistency breeds champions.

Auburn is so close.