First post: Monday of Week Two

Hey everyone. Not much to add right now. Gene Chizik was in a great mood yesterday -- far more chatty than usual -- and was more at ease than I've ever seen. He actually recoiled a bit when a reporter asked if he allows himself to enjoy wins.

It's weird. Chizik dedicates so much effort promoting this no-nonsense image, I guess you'd call it, then seems surprised when people assume he's no-nonsense all the time. That seems like a reasonable assumption to me. I really have no idea what Chizik is like behind closed doors. In front of those doors, though, he's a stern guy who reveals almost nothing about himself or his team.

I'm not criticizing his approach. I'm just saying ... he shouldn't be surprised when people figure he's Ivan Drago all the time.

Here's the Auburn situation at this moment:

TODAY'S STORIES

• Chizik, Tiger fans in festive mood after win

PREVIOUS STORIES

• 9/6: Tigers tout solid play in Chizik's debut
  
• 9/5: Dooley out to end an oh-for-Auburn streak
  
• 9/4: Ford brings faster pace to Auburn 'D'
  
• 9/3: Players expect changes to help restore winning ways
• 9/2: Auburn safety Bates gets big break
  
• 8/31: Countdown nearly over for eager Tigers
  
• 8/30: Auburn's Malzahn makes a balanced spread

THE VIDEO VAULT

• 9/1: Pre-practice interviews
  
• 8/27: Practice report
  
• 8/25: Practice footage (includes some 11-on-11)
• 8/23: Post-practice report
  
• 8/22: Post-scrimmage report
  
• 8/19: Practice footage
  
• 8/18: Post-practice interviews
  
• 8/15: Post-scrimmage interviews
  
• 8/14: Fallout from the Todd Decision and practice bloopers
  
• 8/14: Todd and Burns discuss The Decision
  
• 8/13: Burns debuts at WR
  
• 8/12: Video interviews
  
• 8/11: Gene Chizik speaks
  
• 8/10: Video interviews
  
• 8/9: BONUS video practice report
• 8/7: Video practice report
  
• 8/6: Practice report
  
• 8/5: Post-practice report
  
• 8/5: Practice report
  
• 8/4: Reporting day coverage

TODAY'S SCHEDULE
The team is practicing very late this evening. The good news is that players will be made available around 6 p.m., so I'll be able to get you some SUBSTANCE well before midnight. Ted Rüf is expected to talk after practice. If you're dying for that report, it may not come through until 11 p.m. or later.

I'll be here.

Here's what the next few days look like. All times are CDT:

Mon., Sept. 7, 8 p.m. (Players available at 6 p.m.)
Tue., Sept. 8, 4:30 p.m. (Chizik presser at 11:30 a.m.; Players available at 11:50 a.m.)
Wed., Sept. 9, 4:30 p.m. (Wifey's birthday; Beatles Rock Band is released)
Thu., Sept. 10, 4:30 p.m. (No interviews allowed; Tiger Talk at 7 p.m.)
Fri., Sept. 11, OFF
Sat., Sept. 12, vs. Mississippi State, 6:05 p.m. (FSN)
Sun., Sept. 13, 4:30 p.m.
Mon., Sept. 14, OFF
Tue., Sept. 15, 4:30 (Chizik presser at 11:30 a.m.; Players available at 11:50 a.m.)

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