The pre-season ends for the Auburn Tigers, on September 13th, when they travel to Starkville Mississippi, for their first SEC game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs. Auburn is still smarting from last season's disastrous home loss to the Bulldogs, and will be out for revenge. A win won't come easily for either team, though. Both squads, at times, featured hard-nosed defenses last season. Both had porous games, as well, such as Auburn's 17 point fourth quarter meltdown against LSU, and Auburn allowing 4 straight touchdown drives against Georgia in the second half. MSU failed on defense in more games, giving up 45 against LSU, 38 against South Carolina, 33 against Tennessee, 38 against West Virginia, and 45 against Arkansas.
The Bulldogs will have to overcome the loss of Defensive Coordinator Ellis Johnson, who was hired away by Steve Spurrier during the off-season. Charlie Harbison was promoted to replace Johnson. Harbison has an interesting pedigree, having coached defensive backs at Alabama during the Dubose era, then coaching wide receivers under Mike Shula. Harbison developed such players as D. J. Hall, and Keith Brown. The MSU defense returns 8 starters, but two starting linemen depart including defensive end Titus Brown, who was the unit leader. All of the back seven return, including star senior safety Derek Pegues, but there are depth issues in the secondary. MSU did sign Charles Mitchell, a high-school cornerback who was named the Mississippi player of the year. Mitchell is being counted on to help out immediately.
Mississippi State has struggled to move the football on offense, for most of the Sylvester Croom era, and that trend likely will continue, if MSU's spring game is any indication. The game ended regulation play in a scoreless deadlock, and had to be resolved in overtime. On the other hand, starting QB Wesley Carroll and monster tailback Anthony Dixon only played a few snaps. The MSU offense took a blow when starting offensive tackle Michael Brown was arrested on a firearms charge, and kicked out of school. Brown, a transfer from Florida, had started 18 games. Reserve defensive tackle Quinton Wesley was also involved in the gun incident, and likewise was expelled. The Bulldogs are counting on signee Templeton Hardy, the 8th best incoming defensive tackle in the nation, to add depth to the defensive line.
The Bulldogs struggled with a rash of injuries and youth on offense, last season. Veteran Michael Henig has given up football, after a hip injury. That leaves sophomore Wesley Carroll as the starter. Carroll was largely a caretaker as a true freshman starter last fall, and more will be expected of him this year. Tailback Anthony Dixon has the size and tools to be a top SEC back, but needs to be more consistent. Dixon also had a bit of the fumble-bug last year, and needs to hold onto the ball better. MSU turnovers played a big part in the number of points they gave up, last year. Taking care of the ball and developing a downfield passing game will be key to returning to a bowl game this year, for Mississippi State.
Matchups
Auburn defensive line vs. MSU offensive line: MSU fields a bit of an undersized line, losing three starters from last season. Due to the loss of Michael Brown, they will be very young at tackle, starting two sophomores. Auburn counters with talented ends Antonio Coleman, Antoine Carter, and Michael Goggins. Inside, SenDerrick Marks will require a double-team block, and that will leave MSU senior Anthony Strauder to block the Auburn nose guard one-on-one. Auburn will rotate as many as three talented youngsters, there. Advantage: Auburn, possibly by a big margin.
Auburn linebackers vs. MSU backs: MSU starts two behemoths in the backfield, senior fullback Brandon Hart, and junior tailback Anthony Dixon. Both are 240 pounds. Spelling Dixon is another junior, the shifty slasher Christian Ducre. MSU is also hoping that redshirt freshman Robert Elliot will be productive. Elliot is a 190-pound speedster who got a lot of work this spring, while Dixon recovered from minor knee surgery. MSU will try to pound Auburn's undersized linebacker corps. Auburn does have great depth at linebacker, but they need to get some stops for losses, and keep MSU from grinding out first downs. Advantage: Even.
Auburn corners vs. MSU receivers: MSU returns most of their receivers, but it was hardly a prolific unit. Senior Jamayel Smith is the most dangerous of the MSU receivers, last year catching 33 balls for a 15.5 yard average, and 3 touchdowns. Overall, the top 4 receivers on the MSU depth chart only caught 57 balls for 814 yards, last season. That's a healthy 14.2 yards per catch, but only 62 yards per game. One reason for the lack of production was a freshman quarterback, and a heavy emphasis on the running game, but these guys weren't running around wide-open all game, either. Auburn counters with speedy, dangerous corners in Jerraud Powers, Aaron Savage, and Walter McFadden. If MSU has to throw to move the ball consistently, they're in trouble. Advantage: Auburn.
Auburn safeties vs. MSU secondary receivers and quarterback: Auburn is young at safety, starting two sophomores. MSU is even greener at tight end, and quarterback. Wesley Carroll is only a true sophomore, and for the most part, he was only asked to hand off and run bootlegs. Chris Relf and Tyson Lee have no experience, except for taking most of the snaps in MSU's spring game. The MSU staff was hoping for big things out of Relf, especially, but the pair of QB's produced zero points in regulation. MSU replaces all of their playing rotation at tight end. Sophomore Brandon Henderson has the starting job after spring, and two freshmen are behind him. Advantage: Auburn.
Punting: Auburn has a trio of capable punters, and good coverage, giving up 6.5 yards per return. By contrast, MSU gave up 9.8 per return. Senior Blake McAdams returns for the Bulldogs, averaging only 39.3 yards per punt. MSU averaged 9.9 yards a return, with dangerous veteran Derek Pegues taking one 75 yards to the house. Auburn counters with veteran Robert Dunn, who averaged 9.4. Advantage: Auburn.
Kickoffs: Senior Adam Carlson returns for the Bulldogs, and he averaged 60.4 yards per kickoff, vs. Auburn's 57. MSU averaged giving up 20.8 yards per return, to Auburn's 21.2. MSU will be kicking to (possibly) Tristan Davis, Mario Fannin, or Brad Lester. All have potential. Derek Pegues returned kicks last season for MSU, but this spring's depth chart lists a pair of redshirt freshmen: Wade Bonner, and Robert Elliot. I think MSU is trying to put more speed on the field here, but inexperienced returners are a huge liability in SEC play. Advantage: Even.
Place kicking: Adam Carlson was excellent for the Bulldogs last season, hitting 10 of 13 field goals, including only one miss from inside 40 yards. Wes Byrum was 17-23, with several clutch kicks for Auburn. Both kickers missed one extra point. Advantage: Even.
Auburn offensive line vs. MSU defensive line: Auburn fields a veteran, nasty bunch, with depth. All five starters return. MSU loses top end Titus Brown, as well as one other starter. However, MSU is huge in the middle. Starters Kyle Love and Jessie Bowman combine to weigh 625 pounds. The backups are both over 290 each. All 4 tackles are experienced and tough. It will be an absolute war, inside, and very fun to watch! At end, the Bulldogs will go with light, 240-pound speed-rushers, senior Tim Bailey and sophomore Brandon Cooper. Lee Ziemba should be able to neutralize the left side, but Auburn is still a bit unsettled at right tackle. Coach Nall is still looking for an alternative to the undersized Ryan Pugh. Running a spread offense, Auburn can't afford any mismatches against them. Slight Advantage: Auburn.
Auburn backs vs. MSU linebackers: Ben Tate and Mario Fannin got a taste of MSU's hard hitting linebackers last fall, and did not fare so well. The addition of Brad Lester will definitely help Auburn, this year. MSU linebackers have been excellent at stopping the run, as well as dropping into a stifling zone. However, the Bulldogs had problems containing well-designed screen passes. It's a deep and talented MSU corps, led by seniors Dominic Douglas and Jamar Chaney. Given Auburn's lack of an experienced lead blocker, it's Advantage: MSU.
Auburn Receivers vs. MSU corners: At this time, a pair of 5-10, not terribly fast corners are listed as starters; Jasper O'Quinn and Marcus Washington. The Bulldogs are hoping that potential All-SEC star Anthony Johnson is full-speed by fall. Johnson is still recovering from a broken ankle suffered during last year's Egg Bowl. Johnson returned two picks for touchdowns, before he was hurt. If Johnson can return, and recruit Charles Mitchell is ready to start, MSU could be lock-down. If not, there is definite room for Auburn's veterans Rod Smith, Montez Billings, James Swinton, and co. to operate. Advantage: Even, on uncertainty.
Auburn secondary receivers and quarterback vs. MSU safeties: The Bulldogs return a pair of veteran, talented safeties; Keith Fitzhugh and Derek Pegues. Pegues had a pick-six that was the difference in the game, against Auburn, last season. These two safeties are good ones, very strong in run support. If there is a weakness, it is against speedy slot receivers running corner or out-routes. Either safety can make a QB pay for a bad throw. Auburn counters with veteran Robert Dunn (who has struggled with his hands throughout his career), Tommy Trott (likewise) and an inexperienced QB, either Kodi Burns or Chris Todd. Advantage: MSU.
This game will be a low-scoring war in the trenches. On paper, Auburn appears to be stronger on both lines of scrimmage, and possibly markedly so, on defense. MSU has advantages in the back seven (if they are healthy) over Auburn's skill folks. Auburn should be able to contain the MSU offense, but might wear down against the bigger Bulldogs, if the defense is on the field too much. Kicking games are nearly even. This game will likely be decided by a key turnover or two. Whoever takes care of the ball, and knocks out first downs, will win this contest.
Prediction: A tiring Auburn team holds off a late Bulldog drive, and hangs on to win: 17-13.
What would we do without Alabama? Just when we think the cast of That 70’s Show couldn’t possibly look more stupid, they go and top themselves.
As you may or probably don’t know (or care), Alabama honors its captains each year by putting their names and hand prints in cement at Denny Chimes in Tuscaloosa.
Now I know what you are thinking. Being named captain of a team that lost to Louisiana-Monroe is akin to being asked to be Ron Paul’s running mate – nobody cares and it’s kind of embarrassing.
But it gets better.
Center Antoine Caldwell was elected a 2007 captain and was honored during a ceremony on Wednesday. There was just one problem with the glorious day that Bear created for all – they spelled Antoine’s name wrong. A-T-N-O-I-N-E was how it was written in concrete for all eternity.
The hits just keep on coming for this band of clowns. It reminds me of that old Snickers ad where the guy paints the end-zone in Kansas City with the word "Chefs" instead of "Chiefs."
Sometimes reality is better than television.
I’ve said it here before: Bear Bryant’s run in the 1960’s and 70’s was worth it in every way. Because for the last 25 years, we’ve had the pleasure of watching "his boys" run this program into the ground – over and over again. They continue to invent ways to make the school a laughing stock.
And Auburn fans just keep smiling and laughing.
I was eating at a Shula’s Steak House in Chicago last week and was admiring all the pictures on the wall. There were a few of Mike Shula hanging around the bar area. I just smiled to myself. They brought back such pleasant memories.
I do believe it was the best steak I’ve ever tasted in my life.
Today’s look back focuses on the 1985 Auburn-Georgia game and the play of All-American Bo Jackson. Like Pat Sullivan 14 years earlier, Jackson used the Dawgs to solidify his hold on the Heisman Trophy.
Jackson wrapped up the award on an 84 yard touchdown run that became one of his most famous while on the Plains. The game marked Jackson’s final victory as a Tiger. Auburn defeated Georgia 24-10 on the way to a Cotton Bowl berth against Texas A&M.
It's tough being a fan of the school with the third most popular college vanity tag in the state of Georgia. What makes it even tougher is that my school isn't even located in the state--it's a bit west of the Chattahoochee--in really west Georgia, you might say, aka east Alabama. The loveliest village on the Plains.
But all pleasantries aside, make no mistake about it. The big dog school in the state (pun intended) is feeling a little encroached on, and the hometown refs are throwing out the little yellow hanky. Encroachment: On the visitors. 5 yard penalty. Replay the down and re-register your car.)
As most of the Tiger fans in the great state of Jawja already know, the Atlanta Auburn club was instrumental in pushing through the AU vanity tag in the state over two years ago, the first out-of-state school do be able to do so. Georgia has a variety of special-purpose plates, including many from domestic colleges. But any organization in the state can apply for their own special tag.
All they have to do is get 500 deposits from people willing to pay $25 initially for the manufacture of the plate, $25 extra a year for the renewal, plus the ordinary license plate fees and taxes.
If that organization is a college, then they must get 1000 deposits. Auburn fans came through in a big way and got the 'Auburn Club' (the official name) plate established.
Yes, Tiger fans the state over purchased the tag en masse, especially in the metro Atlanta area, where over 17,500 alumni reside. After only one year after it's issue, the Auburn plate was threatening to overtake Georgia Tech as the second most popular college tag, exceeding over 8000 plates sold by this time last year, compared to Tech's roughly 10,000.
Keep in mind though that the Tech and Georgia plates have been available for years, as opposed to just 27 months for Auburn's.
They had even become a sort of status symbol among us Blue Tigers: Since the plates were issued in ascending numerical order, the lower your plate number, the earlier you had applied to get one.
When you see a fellow Georgia-resident Tiger driving around, you always check their number--to see if they outrank you.
And everybody was fine with it--nary a cross remark from Dawg and Jacket fans. I'd like to think it's because both schools have a healthy respect for Auburn, considering the considerable history between all three schools.
Auburn has played both schools 203 combined games--almost 20% of the football games that we've played EVER! Included in that history was the first football game ever played in the deep south, in Atlanta's Grant Park, and also the oldest rivalry in the deep south--our series with Georgia, which surpassed the other oldest rivalry in the south in 1988--our series with Tech, which ended the continuous games after the 1987 season.
Add to it the fact that virtually every single game in the series with both schools was played on Georgia soil prior to 1960, and you get a solid bond between the schools in the Athens to Atlanta to Auburn triangle.
But nothing good lasts forever. Emboldened by the success of Auburnites to get a tag, soon Clemson and Tennessee followed, getting themselves established in Georgia, too.
Innocuous enough, no heated rivalries with either the Orange Tigers or the Vowels. But then comes the Atlanta Gator club, with their plans to follow suit. Boom! Game over! No way the Dawgs are going to stand for this! Florida is one of their two biggest rivals, and the biggest one in the last 17 seasons.
Naturally, Georgia fans can't prevent Tech fans from having a state of Georgia tag, but by God, they can stop the infiltration of Gators. And since Georgia fans run the state, the power of government is in their hands.
I can't say that I really blame the Dawgs for feeling this way. Just imagine that Tuscaloosa was about 50 miles further west, in Mississippi, and that their alumni in the state of Alabama wanted to get their own tag.
Do you see now? Phrases like "no way in hell" come to mind instantly. Anyway, at first, there were humorous articles from Georgia fans who were legislators. One remarked that Gator plates weren't necessary because cars on blocks didn't require tags.
But abruptly, the jokes stopped, and with the new legislative session came a bill, HB 1165, that was going to end this license plate carpetbagging.
It proposes the discontinuation of these out of state vanity tags unless other states in the region offer reciprocal agreements for alumni and fans of state of Georgia universities. Talk about taking your ball and running home!
Obviously, a lot of fans of many schools are upset. We Auburn folk are the most established and would be affected the most, but we have to understand that although the scorn is directed at the Gators, we're stuck in the cross-fire none the less.
HB 1165 passed in the Georgia house in a landslide. But luckily, it's sitting dead in the senate at present, seemingly bogged down. It may end up dying this session, too.
Popular opposition has been strong, and there's even an online petition where Auburn fans can go and give their input:
Since the language in the bill is ambiguous about what constitutes a reciprocal agreement in bordering states, there is genuine concern about the legalities of it.
Using a narrow interpretation, seemingly only Tennessee currently has a provision for out of state vanity tags similar to Georgia's. There's even been discussion that perhaps a way to avoid most of the fallout while sticking it to the Gators all at the same time might be to implement the law but to grandfather in all existing tags.
While that would save our precious AU plates, I don't feel that would be fair to Florida and other fans wishing to get their own tags.
The Georgia legislature, which meets in Atlanta, the state capital, should realize that the eyes of the south are upon them. The alumni of virtually every major university in the southeast congregate in Atlanta in large numbers, and you better know that they're going to take notice of this petulant behavior.
And you better know that these people vote, too. Do the right thing, state of Georgia--my native state. Just say 'cha-ching' with the extra tax money and let them all have their tags. Be the adult here, set the example. Don't give in to childish whims. And most importantly, War Eagle!
WEA
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I want to thank all of you who’ve posted comments and sent emails. I can’t tell you how much it means to me. I’m honestly taken back by the response from you all.
In recent days, I’ve really discovered what an awesome Auburn community we’ve created here. Auburn people really are special.
We are going to regroup and add some additional writers to Track’em Tigers. All of them will be names you recognize – our most loyal readers. Our plan is to have four or five new writers who will contribute on a weekly basis.
I believe this will make the site even better. It will also allow me to stay on and continue to manage the site, but lessen the workload. The benefit for you is more Auburn voices and opinions, which is really what a blog is all about.
Those joining the staff have some great ideas, and I’ll be reaching out to them in the coming days to finalize everything. In the meantime, please bear with us and keep checking back. Our hope is to be up and running by next week.
This week’s Nostalgia Friday looks at perhaps the greatest tandem in college football history – Pat Sullivan and Terry Beasley. From 1969 to 1971, these two rewrote the Auburn history books, leading to Pat Sullivan winning the Heisman Trophy in 1971.
Today’s YouTube clip is a tribute to Pat Sullivan with lots of catches by Beasley. This is footage that is rarely seen these days. I hope all of you have a great Good Friday and a Happy Easter.
I hope everyone had a great weekend. Sorry for the sporadic posts the last few days. Things have been busy at home and work. I know. It’s no excuse. Please accept my apologies.
The following questions were posed in the comment section on Friday and a lot of people have weighted in. The answers have brought back a lot of good memories - some that I had forgotten. I thought I would move it to the front page and let more of you weight in.
Here are my answers...
Best game ever seen in person...
That’s an easy one for me. It was the 1984 Auburn-Florida State game in Tallahassee. It was the weirdest, most exciting game I’ve ever witnessed. Auburn came into the game ranked 16th and was a sizable underdog to the ninth-ranked Seminoles.
Pat Dye was nearly thrown out of the game for protesting a bad call. Auburn pulled it out in the end 42-41. I can still hear Jim Fyffe screaming, "Fullwood dives for the pylon, he’s in! He’s in."
It still gives me chill bumps today.
Best game I’ve ever seen period...
My vote would be for the 1994 Auburn-Florida game in Gainesville. Auburn was riding a 17 game winning streak. I turned down a ticket because I believed playing the top-ranked team in the country on the road was a death wish.
Instead, I went to my college roommates place in South Carolina and had one of the best Saturday’s of my life watching it on television. It was one of the most improbable wins in Auburn history.
Damnedest Finish of an Auburn game...
I know a lot of you have already said it, but has there ever been a better finish than the 1994 Auburn-LSU game? Curley Hallman called perhaps the worst fourth quarter in NCAA history.
That man was going to throw the ball no matter what. Chris Shelling was a man-child that day. Four Auburn interceptions lead to a 30-26 win for the orange and blue Tigers.
Runner-up: 1997 Auburn-Alabama game.
Best game that was a loss or tie...
I have to say the 1990 Auburn-Tennessee game. Auburn came into the game ranked third nationally, while the Volunteers came in ranked fifth.
A heralded freshman named Stan White played lights out and led Auburn back from the dead. The final score was 26-26. It felt more like a win than a tie.
Today’s Nostalgia Friday looks at the 1987 Auburn-Georgia Tech game which produced one of the most famous Auburn calls of all time. Jim Fyffe’s "Tillman! Tillman! Tillman! at the baseline of the end zone...." can still be heard around Auburn tailgates today.
Auburn was trailing Tech with about 24 ticks on the clock when quarterback Jeff Burger found Lawyer Tillman in the back of the end zone. Future NFL number one overall pick Aundray Bruce picked off two passes that day in leading fifth-ranked Auburn to a 20-10 win at Grant Field.
Tommy Bowden finds himself in another embarassing situation.
By Jay Coulter jccoulter@gmail.com
It seems that Clemson coach Tommy Bowden has himself in a public relations nightmare. You may remember the story of Clemson tailback Ray Ray McElrathbey.
The reserve back gained notoriety last season after getting custody of his little brother in the wake of his mother’s drug problems and his father’s gambling issues.
Now it seems Bowden has cut McElrathbey from the team because Clemson has an abundance of running backs after signing several during this recruiting period.
"We're pretty good at running back right now," Bowden said recently. As many schools do, Clemson signed 25 players this year which pushed it above the NCAA mandated 85 scholarship limit. That means somebody has to go.
"He (McElrathbey) said something about how they weren't going to renew his scholarship," said Davis, who has been friends with McElrathbey since their high school days in Atlanta. "It really surprised me. But there's a lot of stuff you can't say. It's something I guess everybody has to learn to live with."
Below is a video from ESPN Gameday last year that tells the story of McElrathbey and his brother.
It seems the NCAA is paying a visit to two of Alabama’s top recruits. In a Birmingham News article yesterday, high school coaches for Alabama commitments Tyler Love and Julio Jones acknowledged receiving phone calls from the NCAA.
On the record, the visit has something to do with the association’s Top Prospect Program. Each year the NCAA visits with 40 top signees to gauge how the recruiting process was carried out. The program is meant to deter schools from improper recruiting practices.
As Love’s coach, Chris Yeager put it, "(It’s) like the IRS coming to visit."
Some believe this is a way for the NCAA to gather information on Alabama without having to launch an announced investigation. More than a few people have questioned Bama’s recruiting methods this year. Whether there’s any truth to it is still just speculation.
The NCAA says this is all standard operating procedure and does not indicate a suspected violation at any of the schools it visits as part of the program.
One big name high school coach in Ohio says he’s never heard of the program. Mike Crabtree, who coached Ohio State signee Mike Adams, says those kinds of things typically happen more down south.
"You're talking to someone up north," Crabtree said. "I'm just going to tell you, down south, I think that happens a little bit more and the NCAA gets involved with more of that."
An NCAA spokesman speculated that Adams, who was the number three rated player in the country, didn’t receive a call because of the staff workload at the NCAA.
It looks like there’s been a break in the murder case of Auburn student Lauren Burk. An arrest was made yesterday. Here’s the story from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution...
By KAREN ROSEN, TIM EBERLY
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Friday evening, WSB-TV reported that there had been an arrest in connection with Burk's death following a high-speed chase. While officials would not confirm the connection, Curt Lewis, a Phenix City police lieutenant, said a 22-year-old from the Smith Station community near Phenix City, was arrested following a high-speed chase late Friday morning.
After his arrest, the man confessed to robbing an elderly woman last week outside a Wal-mart in Phenix City, as well as four other robberies in the area. Lewis said police found evidence in the man's car that linked him to at least one of the robberies, but would neither confirm nor deny that they found evidence in his car that also linked him to Burk. But he did say they would attend a Saturday morning press conference in Auburn related to the Burk case.
Shortly before 10 p.m. officers walked the robber out of the police department and to a patrol car to take him to the Russell County jail in Phenix City. The man didn't respond to a reporter's question about Burk's murder.
Auburn Assistant Police Chief Thomas Dawson said earlier in the day Friday that authorities had "strong leads" in Burk's murder investigation.
Burk, 18, from east Cobb County, was shot Tuesday night and later died at a hospital. Her 2001 Honda Civic was discovered on fire in a parking lot near a dormitory about 20 minutes after the shooting was reported to police.
In other developments in the case Friday police also said a gas can found in downtown Auburn is being tested for possible DNA evidence or fingerprints.
Police distributed two photos of a 2001 Honda Civic similar to Burk's car. They asked anyone who saw a vehicle matching that description Tuesday to contact the task force at 334-501-3140 or the tip line at 334-501-7337.
At a news conference in Marietta, Burk's family established a public reward fund to help catch her killer in addition to the $10,000 offered by Alabama's governor.
We are reaching way back in the vault today to find this classic. It’s from the 1955 Auburn-Georgia Tech game played in Atlanta. Tech came into the contest ranked fifth nationally and would go on to make a Sugar Bowl appearance.
Auburn was a big underdog and entered the contest ranked 17th. Auburn pulled the upset on this day, coming away with a 14-12 win over the Yellow Jackets. These old clips are great.
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