News of the day, 9/6
Hey everyone. Early morning for me. I spoke to a class at Catholic High today about sports writing. I didn't lie. I said the job yields some pretty incredible rewards. Some of the best and most creative emails ever written come through my mailbox. For that, I am eternally thankful.Auburn held a short workout this morning. They don't do much hitting after Wednesday. Thursdays are about special teams, correct alignments and maintaining mental sharpness. The team will need all three against USF this weekend.
Open your mouth and enjoy another dose of the HOTTEST Auburn blog on the 'net.
For whatever reason, I've been getting some comments lately about the officiating during last week's game. This surely is coming from biased observes, who claim that KSU's 150+ yards of penalties shows that the officiating crew was on the take. Or at least giving Auburn every benefit of the doubt. I gotta say -- I disagree with that. The way SEC officials are scrutinized these days, they can't get away with blatantly incorrect calls very often. Surely not a dozen in one game. Some people need to get a grip. Seriously.I received an email this afternoon from AP college football ace Ralph Russo with some interesting news: The AP Poll no longer is exclusive to I-A. That means, beginning this week, Appalachian State is eligible for top-25 votes. Ralph was polling the voters (interesting reversal) about their affinity for ASU from a top-25 perspective. While the Mountaineers' achievement was memorable, I would not have voted them in the top 25 for that one game alone.Here is my ballot from earlier this week. The AP publishes my ballot and those of all poll voters each week.
1. Southern Cal
2. LSU
3. West Virginia
4. Virginia Tech
5. Oklahoma
6. Texas
7. Louisville
8. Hawaii
9. Georgia
10. UCLA
11. Cal
12. Wisconsin
13. TCU
14. Missouri
15. Auburn
16. Texas A&M
17. Florida
18. South Florida
19. Ohio State
20. Penn State
21. Rutgers
22. Michigan
23. Oregon
24. South Carolina
25. Clemson
I know some people will moan about me voting for Michigan. It was a loss. A bad loss. An epically bad loss. I still believe Michigan is a pretty good team. Dropping them from the poll, in my opinion, is an overreaction.
One small note for my own enjoyment ... The poll now includes two Kentucky graduates: Author of The Hottest Auburn Blog on The 'Net and Chip Cosby from the Lexington Herald-Leader. Hey, that's institutional progress in my eyes.
Note to Arkansas fans: To those who said I'm "the only one dumb enough to leave out Arkansas," I counted eight voters who aren't voting for Arkansas right now. Several others have the Hogs at 24 or 25. I think that represents how enigmatic Arkansas is right now. It's a difficult team to read. If the Hogs start 3-0, I'll certainly add them. I'm sure everyone will.
A reminder that the best gas deal between Montgomery and Auburn is at Jet-Pep on Wire Rd. It's $2.49/gal. The best price in Montgomery is the Raceway at East Blvd. and Carmichael, which is $2.56/gal. right now. Definitely avoid Shorter (exit 22) because they're charging $2.86/gal. there. I guess the peeps who roll out of Victoryland will pay almost anything.
posted by Jay G. Tate at
11:43 AM
8 Comments:
How'd the Catholic High crew take to your speech? They listen? Did you tell them about the how tight you are with the other writers?
And what if Auburn isn't mentally sharp this week? Dare I say it, a loss to USF?
It's good to talk with the kids. I talked with a few writers before I got in the business. I wish they had been more honest about the professional pitfalls. I might have remained in counseling psychology.
If Auburn comes out this weekend like it did against KSU, I'll all but guarantee a loss. South Florida is a good team. Real good.
What about Mark Consuelos? Chelsea? Why?
Mark, if you're out there, defend your position immediately! Or you can have Kelly write in. That's fine, too.
groves to LB????
As far as Groves ... yes.
The plan is to play Groves more at linebacker as time goes on. He starts in a three-point stance but floats to linebacker depth after the snap. He says that's tantamount to playing LB.
I don't make the calls, I just report 'em.
so whats your prognosis for the offense this week? more of the same or a significant turn around?
I hate to be a waffler, but I think it's somewhere in between your two options. I think Auburn will be better, the execution will be crisper, but I'm not sure that will translate into a major boost in production.
I've been saying this for a long time ... Brandon Cox, while valuable in many ways, is a flawed football player. His arm isn't strong. Defenses know that. They're loading the box all the time because they're not worried about Cox beating them deep.
Until that changes, Auburn's going to have consistent problems against good defenses.
Where are the Arkansas Razorbacks? You know the team with the best RB tandem in the nation. Not to mention Hawaii at 8, Auburn could beat them by 20, Missouri at 14, & South Florida at 18. This poll is hilarious, but I guess you don't have to be a genious to vote.
You certainly don't have to be a genius to spell.
Hawaii at 8 is no joke. I can't prove their excellence. You can't disprove it. We're at an impasse there.
I have no bias against anyone, including Arkansas. If Nutt wins some big games, he'll be in my poll with a quickness.
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