First Post: Thursday of Week Three
Hey everyone. It was another banner day for Auburn atop the Advertiser's web elements chart. The HABOTN was tops as usual. The story about Chizik and his attempts to control expectations was No. 2. Even the notebook was No. 7. The top Alabama story was in 10th place.That's no disrespect to Tim Gayle, our fine UA writer. It's just a testament to the HOTTIES for their tenacity and interest. I thank you for expressing your interest in (and undying affection toward) the Montgomery Advertiser.
Here's the Auburn situation at this moment:
TODAY'S STORIES
- Lutzenkirchen may get chance to start
- Auburn notebook (includes items on WVU coach Bill Stewart, Ryan Pugh and Joshua Bynes discussing Zac Etheridge)
PREVIOUS STORIES
- 9/15: Great Expectations: Auburn's Chizik tries to confine optimism
- 9/14: AU wins only look easy, Chizik says
- 9/13: AUBURN 49, MISSISSIPPI STATE 24: Tigers on the offensive
- 9/12: Auburn, Miss. St. offenses have talent to avoid 3-2 repeat
- 9/11: Thunder and lightning: Auburn's Tate, McCalebb could give Tigers nice 1-2 punch
- 9/10: Offense works on ways to quicken pace
THE VIDEO VAULT
- 9/15: Tuesday interviews
- 9/13: Sunday interviews
- 9/7: Pre-practice interviews
- 9/1: Pre-practice interviews
- 8/27: Practice report
- 8/25: Practice footage (includes some 11-on-11)
TODAY'S SCHEDULE
It's Thursday. You know what that means. We'll do our Tiger Talk/ESPN double take. I'll be live bloggin' Gene Chizik's weekly radio chat at 7 p.m. CDT. You may be listening. Or you may be watching Georgia Tech and Miami on the tube. Or maybe you'll be doing something else. Who knows? I'll be here and I'll be doing my thing.
Here's what the next few days look like. All times are CDT:
Thu., Sept. 17, 4:30 p.m.
Fri., Sept. 18, OFF
Sat., Sept. 19, vs. West Virginia, 6:45 p.m. (ESPN2)
Sun., Sept. 20, 5 p.m.
Mon., Sept. 21, OFF
Tue., Sept. 22, 4:30 p.m. (Chizik presser at 11:30 a.m.; Players available at 11:50 a.m.)
Wed., Sept. 23, 4:30 p.m.
Thu., Sept. 24, 4:30 p.m.
Fri., Sept. 25, OFF
Sat., Sept. 26, vs. Ball State, 6 p.m. (Fox Sports South)
Also, please pick up the Advertiser's print edition if you live around here! Our fine Auburn coverage is only one element of our award-winning product.
posted by Jay G. Tate at
8:25 AM
116 Comments:
FAH?
Yes, you are Sean.
Apologies for my lack of substance, but I'm told were to line up immediately and get ready for the next thread.
Beasley!
ETHERIDGE #4!
crap. thanks MJT. :)
Sully @ 7
Don't be hatin' on Commonwealth Stadium. That's like hating Cameron Diaz.
She has little talent and is not hot, but she doesn't harm anyone. She just goes about her low-level stuff. So what?
Jay G, well said Re: Cameron Diaz. I completely agree. I've never been to Commonwealth but I'll take your word for it.
Jay,
Someone asked on an earlier thread, but do you give your predictions? If so, what do you think about this game?
Much love for Commonwealth. Looking forward to making that road trip next year.
i've been to commonwealth once and had a blast. I'm going there next year and can't wait. Beautiful drive up to Lexington from Auburn, Atlanta or whereever IMO.
COMMONWEALTH STADIUM = CAMERON DIAZ.
i 'bout fell outta my chair JG.
if you can double up on a UK football gameday with Keeneland (horse track) then you've had a good day/weekend. it's amazing.
I'm with Eddie. UT scares me more than WVU.
UT's D is really really good, and it's our first game on the road against a D who can dominate a game.
Probably our offense's first big test and it comes on the road
That's exactly why UT scares me, oh and they do have very good running backs.
Scottie,
Agree! The only real bet I ever made was there. Put $5 on a horse named after a military branch and it turned into $55.
That went to the humidor in Rupp.
Auburn 34, WVU 28.
Thanks for sharing, Jay G.
Keeneland is fun kinda ... if you're a fufu. It's basically an upper-class social occasion with horse racing included as a periodic diversion.
Churchill Downs or Turfway (Cincinnati) is where the real horse players play.
Gang, is anyone else surprised we are having such trouble finding a punt returner?
I was in my early twenties when I went to Keeneland.
It was a sight to behold.
I can still smell the mix of perfume and bourbon in the air.
aaaahhhhhh....you're right Sensi. nothing quite like the smell of perfume and a freshly opened bottle of Maker's at 10am.
Sensi: I think the problems have more to do with some shoddy blocking on the punt-return team. The returner oughtn't be fearing for his life every time the ball is kicked.
consider me fufu. i'm not into it for the gambling, if you know what i mean.
and Sensi, very suprised. we're at week 3 and we're still trying out 3-4 guys to return punts? really?
Save the Couches!
Burn the Hillbillies!
True - the blocking has been less than stellar.
Scottie, nothing like it except maybe The Grove in Oxford.
We are just waiting on PPL to get out of the doghouse in the punt return team.....
as far as punting team, I don't mind the scheme, but good god, you've got to pick up the guy coming right of the middle of the gap. That was terrible blocking there.
Maker's Mark Gold. Now you've got me all thirsty except for the fact I don't drink.
But I have memories of my year pledging PiKA. All many of them include Maker's Mark Gold. Mmmmm.
Why can't it be Saturday already?
Well, back to actual work for a while. Catch you all this afternoon.
went to the Maker's Mark Mile several years back. got a black bottle of Maker's honoring Secretariat signed by the jockey, trainer, and Bill Samuels himself. pretty cool. that was a fun day.
Good point Eddie - why isn't PPL mentioned in any of the punt returner conversations?
Also good points on the pumt return team as a whole. If the other 10 guys don't execute their assignments, then the returner has very little chance of bustin'a move with a guy breathing in his face.
My people are from Maker's Mark home ... just a few miles form Loretto, Ky.
PPL is in the doghouse or some variation of canine housing. That's my best guess.
I know I am not as astute at knowing all the actual plays and why they run them, but it seems to me they returned every kick exactly the same way. The blockers all came down the same side with the returner following. Seems like it would make more sense to change it up so the other team doesn't know exactly what we are going to do.
If this is a stupid observation, please be gentle in your reply :)
i did a 5K at the Maker's Distillery one time. got me a trophy and everything. :) can't run like that any more, though.
Chris Low takes Auburn 31-27.
in case you missed it last nite, UT has put AU tickets available to everyone. face value is $70. yikes.
everybody come up and visit and watch us beat the Vols. PURCHASE AUBURN TICKETS HERE
We might see another HABOTN.com sign on the Tide/Tigers WSFA show thing Saturday at 11. Just sayin...
Hopefully this time next week Auburn will be one of the Yahoo Pick Em games.
I love me some Churchill Downs.
Just thought I'd add that.
Re Commonwealth. Did it start out as a stunningly hot stadium and then just kind of become ehh?
K
Matt: MAKE IT HAPPEN.
I feel that the running game success and defense of such for each team will determine the rest of the game. WVa passes well and struggles to defend against the pass. AU has LB, and to a smaller degree, DB depth issues.
The AU DL will need to stuff the inside run and keep pressure on the QB in order to take away some dimensions from the WVA offense and keep from running/passing the AU LBs/DBs in the ground.
AU will score points. The WVa run D has good stats, but will need to move folks up in the box to consistently stop the AU run. Unlike last year, we have a QB arm, WRs and play-calling to go along with the running game that can take advantage and outfox the D sets.
I see this as a high scoring game with AU going ahead early and WVa coming back as our D gets tired. The last team to score will win....38-35.
The most likely alternative to a shootout happens if the AU run game dominates in the 4th Qtr as in the 2 previous games, keeps the ball, wears down the WVA D and rests ours.
Gotta get back to work while there is still 15 sec. on the clock.
did yall see this stat?
After two games this season, Auburn has 41 percent of the points and 31 percent of the yards that it totaled in 12 games last year.
Standing pat with my 27-24 Auburn win prediction.
Speaking of stadiums and facilities. This one is for Eddie.
In high school, my favorite place to play on the road at was Ooltewah. Their visitor locker rooms were the nicest in the area...even nicer than our home locker room.
Auburn 45-34. I'm standing still on that.
Scottie,
That stat makes me sad because a lot of the people are the same.
it feels weird hearing everybody say we're going to win in shoot-outs and not by low-scoring defensive games.
RK- I like that, but I think our Vistor Dressing Rooms was a converted class room / PE Room if I remember correctly.
By the way, in the SEC, best Visiting Team Locker Room was LSU.
agreed RK. we're not devoid of talent. depth yes. these are mostly the same players that were picked to win the Western Division last year.
For a little persepctive, i'm listening to the archived Tommy Tuberville jox podcast right now. He said he would have given anything for that offense last year and the only difference between last year and this year was that Brad Lester was hurt whereas McCalebb is healthy.
I will say this about Tubs, I really really enjoy listening to him. I still think a lof of the guy and I hope he does well.
Eddie,
Ooltewah was the only visitors locker room that I recall having couches and a TV and enough space to move around.
The worst visitor locker room was Cumberland County. It was their boiler room/locker room for the visitors.
"the only difference between last year and this year was that Brad Lester was hurt whereas McCalebb is healthy."
The ONLY difference?
Oh let me count the ways this is wrong.
Nah, I don't have all day.
That being said I've always liked Tub, but I'm also glad he isn't the HC anymore.
Eddie, you think there was a little more different between last year's and thies year's offense than Brad Lester's health, right?
If you keep on talking about the chemical reaction when the fumes of high-quality bourbon interact with perfume, well, J-Zhag's gonna spew popcorn, or Pop Tarts or whatever he's got in his mouth, on someone.
RK- You are right about Cumberland County. I remember that. I also remember Meigs county not being bad. Red Bank was a long walk to the stadium from the locker room.
Speaking of Cumberland County. I think I got a concussion during that game or at least temporary knocked out and it happened on an XP. I was playing DT and I remember lining up against this guy with a huge cast on. He hit me right across the head with that club and I was seeing butterflies for sure.
Can we come to a formal agreement that we all like Tommy, we think he did a good job, and wish him well in the future?
Let's get this deal done.
Maybe we can get a resolution passed.
mytommy- You know I have opinions on that...like how we have competent assitant coaches, especially at the WR & OL position along with a Coordinator that is a good QB coach along with a great playcaller. I mean, come on, Malzahn vs. Franklin / Nall / Ensminger combined is not a fair fight and equivilant of Florida vs. Charleston Southern.
Jet- I like saying that I like somebody before bashing them. Makes me feel better. I vote nay on the resolution.
Eddie,
They used to rock our bus when we would get to Red Bank. I hated going there.
Just makin sure. I'm not sure how to take his statement, surely he noticed all the crazinees about him, otherwise no one would have gotten fired and reassembled 3/4 of the way through the season. I wish him well in his upcoming coaching position in the PAC 10
RK- We sucked so bad that they never got up for us at the time. Sorry for my ignorance, but what HS did you attend. I'm sure you said, but i'm forget it.
Remember are this:
Coaches are delusional.
Even our current ones Jet?!
Eddie, I went to Rhea County.
I think I do remember you telling me that. I got whipped a couple of times by you guys. I think we were home coming once. The Eagles.
How 'bout them Ooltewah Owls?
Ok, I guess it was a dumb observation since no one addressed it.
Ooltewah's football program today doesn't resemble what it did 15 years ago when I was in HS.
not a dumb question Cincy. i just didn't know how to answer. i need to go back and watch the punt return attempts again. sorry.
Still mulling it over in my head Cincy. I don't know that the playcalling is too vanilla, but our execution has just been poor. I think if people completed their assignments, we'd be ok.
Did I mention that Jet likes to wear stuffed animals on his head? I think he's an in the closet plushie.
Actually, I have no clue how they are doing in football. I lived there from '98-'99 and just wanted to show off that I know what their mascot is.
Scott C- I'm impressed.
RK- Gatewood finally did what every other coach at the school at failed to do and it has just continued since then. They had a great win last week. Offense looks suspect, Defense looks awesome. I wish Auburn could get Jacquez Green(sp). He is a UT Verbal, but he looks good.
Cincy- I'll have to review the tapes and to be able to comment intelligently on that one. You are probably dead on about it.
That's right bammies, put that in your pipe and smoke it
WERK, just sent you an e-mail.
I happen to like Cameron Diaz.
As always, most guys have things for brunettes!
Remember a couple of years ago with kickoff returns how the returners would turn around and you didn't know who was going to have the ball? I guess I like trickery.
It just seemed on every return they ran down the visitor sideline (whatever side that is) exactly the same return setup every time. The player would catch it and run to his left - everytime. Just seems to me that could vary it and run it down the other sideline and not be so predictable. But maybe I'm not seeing it right.
Hell RK, doing the math means that there is a good chance I was on a team that got pasted by your team.
Have we actually had a punt returned, yet? I know Cincy's question was about getting it set up, but I don't think we've had any returns made of any substance yet.
ah, the 'Globe' return. the only one of those that stands out to me is the '07 UF game. i think Pat Lee returned that one. maybe we did one in the Chick fil A bowl too. can't recall.
Excellent article on Lunchinkitchen. That kid is going to be a great one. I can't wait to see him get a bit more experience.
Remember the good ole days where people said the spread was a high school offense and that it would take time to get the players to run it. I find that very entertaining.
I don't know how I missed this last season, but these guys are freakin hilarious.
Wastin' Away Again in Tommy Tuberville
I'm here and so pumped for Saturday
mytommy- Statistically speaking, we have returned 5 punts for a total of 1 yard. How about them stats.
jhag, u sure you're going to be in Auburn? no FSU game this weekend?
;)
1 yard WOW a high school team could do better than that against the Chicago Bears.
They got to be working on that overtime, I hope.
Stats are for chumps. That may be the only thing John Longshore's ever said that I agree with.
Cincy,
I think you are talking about how the KO returns are always going the same way. Last week, MSU was kicking it toward the visitor sideline to McCalebb every time.
It is better to run north-south on a return instead of sideline-to-sideline. If the returner tried to get to the other sideline, he would risk getting tackled closer to the goal line because it gives the coverage team more time to get down field.
5 returns for 1 yard. Yeah I'd say that part of the game needs some work.
j-z, In that case, I hope to be an even bigger chump than usual when our fantasy football teams meet.
Unless one of our guys runs into him and knock's him down first. (although I want to say that was a punt return episode)
Rest assured, with some hard work I am sure we can get that punt return average up close to one yard per return.
Eddie I posted that several times last year, quite hillarious!!
I'm actaully going to the UF/UT game sitting in Blue member Suites, yikes
Averaging 1 yard a return with be 5x what we are doing now.
jhag, for some reason I completely missed it. I love their stuff and look forward to seeing what they come up with this year.
So, is the heat on Boulware? Will the Chiz get impatient with the return game?
Boulware has a great reputation with Special Teams. I think he will get this thing on track. It's hard finding the players this year for Special Teams when you are trying to prevent injuries due to depth.
There is heat on Boulware to get it right - no heat for his job.
Good point Eddie, usually your 2's & 3's play on special teams for experience. Problem is, we have no quality 3's at the moment. We are as thin as a Hobo's coat at the moment.
For those interested, Trooper Taylor will be on Jox at 1pm CST.
JHAG...I hate UF and almost every UF fan I've ever met.
Will you do me a favor and spit profusely all over the UF alumni that are sitting below your executive box for me?
This would be returning the favor that UF fans did to me in my 2 previous disgusting visits to "The Swillhole".
that's right Jhag, i forgot.
GO GATORS!
Eddie,
I graduated in 94, so the fall or 90-93 would have been my football seasons.
RK- Cool, I'm sure we were on the same field then. I graduated in 96, meaning my playing days were 92-95, granted, i didn't see the field those first couple of years hardly at all.
Will Herring to start this week for Seattle
So who is going to the bookstore to get their Trooper Towels???
They are now being carried everywhere.
I saw that Scott C. Very glad for him.
if it doesn't say 'NO DROPS!' on that little Trooper towel, believe me, you don't want it.
I'm getting a Trooper Towel next weekend when I finally have tickets to a game.
Wall to wall meetings for the rest of the afternoon. Y'all have fun!
Uses for a Trooper Towel:
Wipe sweat or head/neck shade during a normal hot September.
Wipe spilled drinks off adjacent fans
JZag: Wipe spewed popcorn off everything around.
Swing in the air like a pom-pom/terrible towel while chanting NO DROPS!!
Scottie B- You know it has NO DROPS on it.
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