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Hey everyone. Sunday didn't result in any major revelations. Tommy Tuberville said he'll wait to make any decisions about the Kodi Burns-Brandon Cox situation. I'm pretty sure they already have a plan about how they're going to handle quarterback staffing. They just don't want that information out there, so they don't talk about it.

But I will. Check below for updates throughout the day.

Thanks for visiting the HOTTEST Auburn blog on the 'net.

I was surprised to hear the booing on Saturday afternoon. Understand that I booed Cal Ripken in Camden Yards during his last season with the Orioles. I was in the Philly section. I was safe as a baby. My peeps are Philly fans. I'm not necessarily proud of having behaved in that manner. What I'm saying is: I can't hate on people for booing. Cox has done a lot for that program. Booing a college kid who's obviously having major problems seems wrong to me. I think he's trying to play well. He just can't.

Looks like Auburn is going to a two-quarterback system, which probably is the best short-term solution. I still think Cox can reverse course and become an efficient player again. I have a hunch. Until that point, though, it makes sense to at least have Burns ready to go. The package Auburn runs for Kodi is simple. Contending SEC teams are going to maul that kid. These little speed options won't work against the lightning-fast SEC defenses. Florida? LSU? It'll be a mess. That's why Al Borges is keeping Cox in the fold. At least he can run the full offense.

A big surprise to me so far has been the offensive line's play. I thought that would be Auburn's most glaring weakness. I wouldn't classify OL as a strength right now, but it's definitely not a problem for the Tigers. Still, Lee Ziemba sure got owned by Titus Brown during that final-drive sack. Wow.

CBS has asked for more time before making a decision about its Sept. 29 game. Auburn has been told that it will play Florida either at 4 o'clock (CBS) or 7 o'clock (ESPN) that day. CBS will make its decision sometime before Sunday.

4 Comments:

Anonymous said...: Jay,
I enjoy the blog.

I don't really agree with your opinion on the "speed options"

I believe West Virginia could compete very well in the SEC with their option plays and Florida looked to me like they ran roughly 35% Option/QB Running plays and scored 59 points.

I understand you need to have the threat of a passing game, but I thought Burns looked fine throwing the ball Saturday. He made one bad throw on the deep ball, but he also bounced a couple directly off the receivers (more specifically TE's) hands.

I don't shudder at the thought of Burns getting mauled at LSU, I worry more about having an immobile QB back there who would probably get sacked 10-12 times as things are right now.; 11:50 AM
Jay G. Tate said...: I don't think speed-option packages are bad in and of themselves. I think Auburn's version cannot be overexposed for two reasons.

a.) Kodi Burns is 18 years old and he attended his first college practice last month.

b.) Burns' package consists only of a few plays. There isn't much strategic diversity. Auburn can add some stuff, sure, but only a little at a time. Florida is less than two weeks away.; 1:38 PM
Anonymous said...: Will Burns know most of the playbook by the time the Iron Bowl comes around, or will even that be too soon?; 4:50 PM
Jay G. Tate said...: I think he'll know a whole lot more at that point. Maybe 80% or so. They only use like 40% on a given Saturday, so Burns should be fully playable by late November.

It's weird to think that Burns was a passer in high school. He looked pretty smooth running those reads against MSU.; 5:08 PM