Outback Bowl: The Good, The Bad and The Exciting

It proved that the third time was the charm for the Auburn Tigers, as they claimed a 38-35 overtime victory over the Northwestern Wildcats.  This game had everything a college football fan could want.  There were big plays, comebacks, miscues, shortcomings, and it was decided in overtime.   Auburn in the first half looked to have things in control, but Wildcat quarterback Mike Kafka and company wouldn't give up. Kudos to the Wildcats for playing their hearts out.  Those kids really wanted to win that one for their school.  However, Auburn managed to prevail in the clutch as it had in seven other victories this past season.  Taking a quick look at the game, it is clear to see that this game had everything Auburn was this past season.

Positives
The Tigers became the opportunistic defense that had help win many games this past season.  Auburn picked off Kafka five times.  Walter McFadden had two interceptions, one returned for 100 yards.  The defense seemingly got stronger as the game went along, especially on the line.  Antonio Coleman, Jake Ricks, Nick Fairley, and Mike Goggans all applied pressure at some point.  The offense clicked effectively during the game, gaining 425 yards and scoring when needed. Ben Tate got the job done with 108 yards on 20 carries.

Negatives
Penalties and turnovers were almost Auburn's undoing.  Auburn had ten penalties for 110 yards, several of them personal fouls costing them valuable field position.  Auburn turned the ball over four times; twice on passes by Kodi Burns when Auburn was threatening to score, and two fumbles at the end of fourth quarter that gave Northwestern new life.  Put all those together and what do you have?
Auburn's season, wrapped up in one game.  When Auburn was good, they were good.  That five game win streak showcased how good the Tiger's could be when they had everything going. When Auburn was bad, it was awful.  The three game skid to Arkansas, Kentucky, and LSU showed how the Tigers can look seemingly ineffective in all aspects.  While the Alabama game might have been their best game of the season, the Outback Bowl will be Auburn's most complete.

The game wasn't pretty, but those young men got the job done.  As the 2009 season officially comes to an end for Auburn, the team, coaching staff, and fans have to be on cloud nine.  Winning in dramatic fashion, gaining Cameron Newton from the recruiting trail, and a stellar recruiting class in the wake have the Auburn family smiling today.  Lastly, there is nothing that can measure the amount of confidence that Auburn has winning this final game.  For the seniors, this is a great way to go out.  For the returning players, they have to like their chances for the next season.  The coaches will certainly have more viable options going into 2010.

Truly, the sky is the limit.

It's All About Auburn

I have to admit that I do not want to see Alabama win the game Thursday night, SEC be damned when it comes to Bama. On the other hand, it's not the end of the world if they do win because it's all about the future of Auburn Football.

THIS YEAR the present coaching staff has proven that we can get the players that can take us places we've never seen and there's nothing the Bama Nation can do to stop our progress. The Bear may have assimilated the SEC in a resistance is futile sort of way, in 1958, but those days are long gone.

It's taken Auburn 50 plus years to get to where we seem to be now. I'm not talking about 8-5, I'm talking about the new businesslike approach, the tireless work ethic and the desire on behalf of the university, Jay Jacobs and the coaching staff to fulfill Auburn's football potential.

The storm has been building since coach Dye stepped foot on the campus and gave us a strong dose of winning, Bowden followed Dye us with an incredible 20 wins in his first two years and lastly Tubs got us two steps from the mountain top. It feels like the desires of the school and the fans are finally on the same page. And it feels good.

It's not about Alabama's 7 or even 8 national championships it's about Auburn's 2nd and 3rd and 4th and 5th national championships. War Eagle and Hook em Horns!!!!

Newton or Rollison

Cameron Newton is a talented athlete, there's no arguing that but Tryik Rollison is a QB who not only has outstanding physical ability, he's been under the tutelage of  Malzahn for a year and knows the offense.  In addition, Rollison is just a year removed  from throwing 51 TDs his senior year of high school and his 73 percent accuracy is just what the doctor ordered.  If it comes down to a two man competition, I give the edge to Rollison.

With that said, whether it's Newton, Rollison, Caudle etc, etc, I don't believe that Malzahn will put someone under center because of name and reputation, if you're not accurate and efficient you don't play, just ask Kodi.

The Crossroad Years 2009-2012

Alabama just beat Florida 32-13 and will be playing for the 2009 National Championship.  That's an awful sounding statement if you're an Auburn fan.    I personally  have only had to experience that one other time, in 1992, and it was awful then too. For those of you who went through the 60s and 70s it had to have been pure torture.  But looking back at through the years I had to beg the question, "Why hasn't Auburn ever been able to do better than a few really good seasons here and there."  To me the answer is simple, the University and the individuals running the program don't have the  killer instinct when it comes to winning."  Auburn President Jay Gogue said it all in 2009, shortly after Chizik was hired, "......the ideal record for football is 8-3.  It's good but it doesn't overshadow academics." He said it jokingly but I can see that being the actual behind closed doors philosophy.

This is just a theory but the next 3-4 years could prove or disprove it.  If Auburn starts kicking butt under Chizik and he becomes a proven winner  it'll be a moot point..  If he struggles and Auburn replaces him with a coach with an outstanding winning percentage and maybe even a championship somewhere to his credit  I'll be happy to be wrong.

Like the title of this blog states, the next 4 years are the Crossroad Years for Auburn.

Trovon Reed to announce his commitment Nov 13th.

Fan Thoughts on Da Bull

Where has Eltoro Freeman gone?

#1 
He's standing in the opponents backfield wondering where the ball carrier went. He flies by more tackles than any defensive player I can remember. I hope the light comes on for him soon. We need him to step up by the end of the year.
#2
Honestly didn't know he had ever arrived. He needs to watch some Travis Williams film if he wants to make it in the SEC.
#3 
Sad but true.
#4
Exactly how many games has he started??? Two???
Relax.
#5
I sure hope the light comes on with him because I would hate to add him to the long list of recent JUCO busts.
#6
what you guys think the coaches are telling him to improve him
#7
Who knows, everybody on D talks about how jacked up he is all the time. Just need to find a way to channel that energy. Need to corral the bull then tell him where to unleash. It's not hard to see he will be a monster when he gets this D figured out.
#8
You think if he reacted instead of just running to where he thinks the ball would improve his play
#9 
He's had some pretty solid assists but hasn't had any flashy solos. As you can see I am a believer in his potential.
#10
@UT was his 4th game as an Auburn Tiger. It will take him some time to reverse his instincts from HS/Juco pillage mode.
#11
i dont think ive ever said this before about anyone playing defense, but the guy needs to "slow down" out there. he's a counter/misdirection plays dream out there at times, but i think he'll be fine, juco to the SEC is a massive step, he just needs a little time. I thought as a whole the defense looked much better against UT than the first 3 games as far playing under control, being where they needed to be, and making the tackles.
#12
No, i'm saying like others here, if anything he needs to tone it down a notch and play assignment football. With time it will become natural and he won't have to react, he just will.
#13
He will be fine. He will get coached up and we will see a difference soon. This is only his 4th game. Give the kid sometime. He was banged up during camp and he redshirted last year. The kid will be fine.
#14
That is why Herring is playing. He just plays slower (not a knock on his game either). He knows how to stay in position so he can make the tackle when the ball carrier cuts back. Eltoro is just running full speed and leaving gaps in our defense. This is the SEC, teams know how to key in on one guy when he is consistently missing his assignments. They will coach him up and he will be fine when he figures it out.

Watch List for the ESPNU 150 for 2011

2011 Recruits


The following are from the state of Alabama:

QB - Stephen Rivers - Athens, AL

QB - Brandon Wells - Calera, AL

RB - Alonzo Harris - Gadsden, AL

RB - Trai Ragland - Madison, AL

WR - Sammie Coates - Leroy, AL

WR - Daryl Collins - Gadsden, AL

WR - Pat Milliner - Millbrook, AL

WR - Marvin Shinn - Prichard, AL (Bama commit)

WR - Darien Thomas - Theodore, AL

DE - LaMichael Fanning - Auburn, AL

DE - Jabrian Niles - Mobile, AL

DE - Kameron Wood - Birmingham, AL

LB - Brent Calloway - Russellville, AL (Bama commit)

LB - Dre-Shon McGaster - Foley, AL

LB - Carl Robinson - Theodore, AL

LB - Devaunte Sigler - Mobile, AL

CB - Eric Dixon - Mobile, AL

CB - Jacquese Kirk - Jasper, AL

S - Enrique Florence - Valley, AL

ATH - Ryan Watson - Decatur, AL