First Post: Tuesday of Week Three
Hey everyone. Thanks for another fun night on the blog. I think a few people became agitated over the Ziemba/OL discussion, but I don't think anyone was trying to be untoward. We all agree that the OL is playing at a much higher level this season. Ziemba still is drawing penalties. Facts are facts.I don't have much else to say. This is early morning for me!
Here's the Auburn situation at this moment:
TODAY'S STORIES
- None. I didn't write for Tuesday's editions.
PREVIOUS STORIES
- 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
- 9/9: Herring's return heartens teammates
THE VIDEO VAULT
- 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)
- 8/23: Post-practice report
TODAY'S SCHEDULE
We'll be BLOGGIN for your NOGGIN around 11:30 a.m. CDT, or maybe a tad earlier. That's when you can expect "fresh" commentary to appear in this space. I'll also be updating with player notes, a video and (probably) a second player update after practice. That'll be around 8 p.m.
Here's what the next few days look like. All times are CDT:
Tue., Sept. 15, 4:30 p.m. (Chizik presser at 11:30 a.m.; Players available at 11:50 a.m.)
Wed., Sept. 16, 4:30 p.m.
Thr., 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.
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.
Photo credit: Todd Van Emst/Auburn University
posted by Jay G. Tate at
7:19 AM
153 Comments:
Morning
Kristina flying high this AM.
From earlier thread: Chizik will say Hot Carter is "day to day."
By the way Kristina, what do you think of the Fantsyland expansion???
Morning hotties
FSJ: No Snow Leopard yet.
Still mulling.
From what I have seen sounds like more stuff for girls. I am not big into character greets so most of it sounds kind of eh to me. The Ariel attraction could be cool and Dumbo could use an update so we'll see.
I love anything involving a real-life Ariel. Yes.
Me too Jay....me too.
Ariel made an appearance at a pool party I attended this summer. I won't forget it anytime soon.
The Ariel attraction is supposed to be an E-attraction. The best thing is the new sitdown restaurant, Beast's Castle. The Dumbo expanded area is good for the young ones. Overall, it is a ton of stuff for girls, which is good for me and my girls. I'm glad they are doing something at the Magic Kingdom. It's been awhile. I wish they would re-tool Adventureland to more Pirates to balance out the Fairies and Princess areas.
There is no doubt Ziemba is a great player and will likely play on Sundays. He just has an issue that he needs to address.
Snow Leopard that is..
I'm more into vixens than Ariel
I always make it a point to get a picture with Ariel, since we have to wait in line because of the girls, you know.
Yes, MK needs a new restaurant for sure, but like you said, they really need to balance out the princess fairy stuff.
I didn't read all the Ziemba stuff last night, but I do find the irony that we have had I think 2 false start penalties and Ziemba has been the guilty party on both. I also may be wrong, but wasn't Kodi Burns the QB each time they occurred?
Eddie, wonderful avatar. You and Jay seem to have a cutest kid contest going on:)
Ariel is an undercover vixen. That's the best kind.
What's amazing is that she keeps getting older ... but her seashell top never loses its perfect fit. Why is that?
I nearly busted a gut laughing when the ref called the illegal motion penalty against us in the MSU game because I knew he was going to say 73. It has almost become a new penalty unto itself. How many Ziembas did we get last game. Well, just one. We have averaged one Ziemba a game this season.
All daughters deserve to be showcased IMO. I'm blessed to have two of them, and i'm sure i'm cursed in the wallet also, now and in the future.
I would hardly say Ariel was an undercover vixen. Wearing a bikini around does not make you a vixen...she's more your ditzy cheerleader type. Now Belle is another story...gotta watch out for those smart chicks.
Some of my favorite girlfriends have been smart gals..
Dumb gals never lasted long.
Here is one WV "person" that predicts WVU will win and that there is no way that AU's offense can score more than a TD a quarter on their Defense. WV could win the game, but i'd be surprised if they keep Auburn's offense under 30 points.
WV Fan Prediction
Cinderella is my favorite. Belle is definitely the book worm of the bunch. No one shows any love for Snow White.
Ariel is plenty bright.
She's not Belle, I'll grant you that, but Ariel can hold her own. Cinderella is a dummy. I have no interest in her. If you can't outfox your goofy sisters, you have no future with me.
I'm sure she'd be devastated if she was a.) real and b.) interested in married, middle-class bloggists.
Eddie...I like Snow White..
I've always had a thing for gals with dark hair..
Most of my girlfriends and my wife had dark hair..
I'm not sure Snow White could be a one-man kind of girl. I don't want to compete every day.
I prefer fastballs down the middle of the plate.
Eddie, I have also heard they are saying AU won't get 200 yards rushing and that they are comparing their QB to Tebow!!
had/have...you get the drift.
Seems like there are a lot of Next Tebows around college football.
By the way, I would like to think the idiot in the Auburn Athletics Department that spelled Chizik "Chisek" incorrectly last week and posted it briefly. Apparently that is all over the net now. Just makes us look very good. If you are interested in what's coming to town, here is another great piece of literature.
Beat WVU
There will never be another Tebow...
I heard they are renaming the Heisman to The Tebow after this season.
I kind of liked Jessica Rabbit. She's not bad, she's just drawn that way.
Gag zookeeper
Oh yeah, Morning Hotties.
Lol, Faker, I actually said that just for you. Thanks for coming through for me. ;-)
Actually, my Tebow crush has not manifested itself yet this season.
Thanks for the WV link, Eddie. I do see why the WV fans would be feeling good after a good performance against ECU. Their QB had outstanding numbers.
I think the guy is likely underestimating how good MSU was, and particularly how good the MSU running game is. The MSU offense gives Auburn issues because it is a power running attack. With our small linebackers, we are more geared to stopping a more speed oriented attack.
I do think that the 24 that MSU put on us is misleading. Seven points came off the blocked punt.
Also, our defensive strengths are the secondary and the defensive ends. I think WV will end up being surprised at how much of a step up their vulnerable offensive line will face against us. I look for another big performance from Nick Fairley, Coleman, and Goggans.
I figure it will by the SEC Championship game zookeeper.
Eddie: Auburn's HD board also congratulated "Ontario McCalebb" on cracking the 100-yard barrier last weekend.
Tim Tebow amazes me. I don't think I have watched a college football game this season where he wasn't mentioned. It is almost as if the announcers have that on their checklist.
It's hard not to mention him. He's the best QB I've ever seen.
I wouldn't call him the best QB I have ever seen, although he is definitely on one of the best college football players I have seen.
Best college quarterback I've ever seen.
It's great some days to see how with every day your children become more and more like you (well, not you but me). Like my boy the future 4* who'll be 3 in January (my birthday is MUCH MUCH closer than that by the way). There are some days when he and I just don't want to go anywhere but would much rather stay home and do whatever it is we do. And we both cry about it for extended periods. He's a quick study that boy.
Keep Hate Alive.
You will see how he does as a QB in the pros. He could very well end up playing a different position. He is basically a runningback that can throw. I have seen many QBs I would rather have throwing the ball.
Norm and his son: DWWD.
NFL teams seem to be more and more putting in a Wildcat package, and some team will build that around Tebow.
Tebow has something like 120 total TD's and 10 turnovers.
Just amazing numbers.
No one asserts that he will be a pro QB. It's tough to admit, but he is the best college QB I have seen as well.
With that said, hearing his name sets off my gag reflex.
Norm, you had me at Jessica Rabbit. purrr.
Anyone know the odds for the WV game? I have to ask myself how much better this Auburn team is that last year's team and compare that with West Virginia and whether they have improved or not. I cannot believe they have improved as much as we have.
Tebow wouldn't have been the first SEC QB drafted if he had turned pro. He is a great player, just not an ideal QB.
Kristina said... There will never be another Tebow...
I say... especially if he stays a virgin.
i love me some Tebow.
i hate me some Bama.
Auburn is a 7 pt favorite.
Re Eddie's second WVU fan link. Found some things interesting. First its by a 5th year senior, which I was as well, and I was that for a reason. I'm sure it's not because he's getting a double major.
They are still ass backwards in the south. - This from a West Virginian?!?
Tommy, are you sure it is a fifth year senior in college, or is it high school? We are talking West Virginia, after all.
You know steve it wasn't specific about that either.
hahahahaha...West Virginia is similar to the Ozarks or Bayou Boondocks. Except poorer.
Ya know, all I could think is how could someone from West Virginia throw stuff like that with the rep that THAT state carries
I am definitely looking forward to this game. West Virginia is the biggest named opponent we have faced this season. I just don't see their QB putting up the kind of numbers against us that he did against ECU.
We do need Todd to continue to play smart football. No interceptions works for me. With all the long balls he has thrown, I am surprised he hasn't thrown a pick yet. I would like to see more intermediate passes, but I don't see a lot of it with Malzahn's offense.
Who's hoping for some cool weather this weekend?
I know I am.
I am already loving the weather. Here in South Carolina we are pretty much 90/90 from May until September. 90 degrees, 90 percent humidity.
I'm just hoping to get down to Auburn sometime this fall.
Steve is killing me with the WV jokes.
I missed out on the Muschamp talk last night, read it this morning. Which job do you think is more attractive to a football coach- Texas or Georgia? Texas by a nose, or Texas and it's not close? I've always been surprised at how Georgia is not more of a top-5 program than it has been.
Nice, SteveFC.
I wouldn't think it even close. Texas is one of the sweetest spots in college football. There is tons of money and a huge recruiting area.
seriously, though. is there a region in Alabama that is even slightly comparable to West Virginia? Sand Mountain, maybe?
Ever since I saw someone with chain link fence lining their front porch in Alabama, I knew we shouldn't throw too many stones.
I, for one, hope to see Chris Todd throw some stones Saturday.
I'd love to see him have a 300 yd. game against a quality opponent.
And, yes, WVU is a quality opponent.
I've been the WV on a few occasions - let me tell you - there are some Back-Ass-Wards folks when you get out of the populace areas. Tenn hasn't got anyting on these people.
Well, if you talk about backwards people, it is easy to shut a West Virginian up. Just mention Jesco White.
I am thinking this thing may be an offensive shoot-out Saturday.
Special Teams need to be special in this one.
I like to refer to is as playing the Jesco card.
I read the two article links you provided Eddie. They were entertaining, but not as near as entertaining as the comments made by some the fans. They are discounting the Tigers as not having a chance by their estimation Saturday. What do they smoke up thar in dem hills of WV anyway?
Sensi, special teams represents our best opportunity to shoot ourselves in the head. That is my biggest concern.
Defensively, I think we are good to go. We played a lot of players the first two games. We should be okay.
What's the best thing to ever come out of West Virginia?
Rich Rodriquez
(Please note that this jab would be much more effective if RRod was more successful at Michigan)
Our special teams better be Special this week. They could decide the game for us. Can't afford an effort like last week against this team - or we pay dearly.
I'm not as concerned about the punt protection break down we saw - that's fixable. I'm more concerned with the lack of any type of return yardage on punts. The lack thereof keeps putting our offense on a long field. We need to generate some momentum with a decent punt return or two.
Steve,
That's a good point about playing a lot of guys. I think WVU will move the ball on us but we should be able to move on them. Plus, if AC and the guys up front can get to their QB, that could disrupt the passing game. They only return one starter up front from what I've read. However, they've had two games to get it together.
Bottling up Devine is a tall order as well.
I say I'd like to see CT light it up, but I realize the gameplan will probably be more ball control on the ground.
What do they call doctors and lawyers in West Virginia?
Tourists
You know 6 or 7 6 minute drives will keep that high powered WVU offense cold and off the field. Just hope things work out like they have with the first two games now that our D has their feet under themselves for the most part.
This whole special teams thing is a bit of a concern
Depth at linebacker is my primary concern with this game. Last season they basically killed us in the second half with their receivers basically out running us, coupled with an excellent game by Noel Devine.
Thinking about our first two games, the second quarter has been our worst quarter. I am hoping we see better play this week. Against MSU, the offense looked confused at times in the second quarter.
What's the biggest concern on ST? Protection or return?
I would think turnovers Sensi
SteveFC,
They basically killed us in the second half because we ran all of our plays in the first quarter and had no plan for the second half of the game.
That was the story of last year - no plan in the second half.
Hard to have a ball control offense with the fast past game we play IMO Sensi. I don't see us venturing to far away from what we have already seen from AU the first two games - soften them up with the run to bring the safeties up and then hit'em with mid range passes along the edge.
I don't think we capitalize on some of the misdirection hand-offs that they have appeared to be setting up for the past couple of games. I think we save those for a future opponent.
We did play ball control against MSU. Ball control means Ben Tate, and he really got us rolling in the second quarter.
Nice move, THT.
Logan, you are right. What I mean is the Auburn version of ball control - 6-10 play drives, mostly on the ground, score and wear them down in the process. Granted that only takes 3 mins sometimes, but points on the board always beat what The Realist called the"Tubershell" offense.
Anyone got anything on Fairley? Is he good to go this weekend? He was a wrecking ball in Game 1, but didn't take a snap (as far as I know) in Game 2. We could use some up the middle beef for this one.
I would also like to see another receiver step up. Fannin was the go to guy against LaTech. Adams was the go to guy against MSU. Zachery had big plays in both games. I wonder who will step up next.
Not knowing anything about Liberty or ECU, but just checked and they rushed for 217 and 195 yds respectively. I do believe Auburn is a better rushing team than either of those two teams.
Did anyone make it through the second MNF game?
I dropped off in the 3rd quarter and had to catch the highlights on SC this morning.
two biggest ST concerns:
1. finding players with arms for kickoff coverage. Arms are necessary to wrap up the returner and take him to the ground. We seem to be playing two hand touch on KO coverage.
2. avoiding punt blocks with our goofy punt formation.
I know nothing. I just talk.
I am useless.
With Fannin, Tate, and FAH all being threats to run, Malzahn has a lot of flexibility. I also think we will see Eric Smith gradually making bigger contributions.
avoiding punt blocks with our goofy punt formation. - THT
I heard some pundit yesterday say he didn't understand why so many teams had gone to the wacky punt formations. I concur with this. Not sure why that had to change.
But yoush have a greatsh avatar Shenshi
I could be mistaken, but I'm just not worried about this game like some others are. I hope I'm not wrong.
I just see a WVU team who is inexperienced on the line with a 1st year starter at QB going on the road into an environment that isn't what they are used to playing in. I also see a team that has given up points and yardage to Liberty and ECU.
Again, I could be wrong and I know they bring more speed than we are used to so far this year, but I'm confident we will do well in this game.
Got a strange feeling this may be Fannin's break out game.
Who even won the late night game last night?
Loganville,
Fannin's breakout game should have been UGA last year but we decided to put him in the garage early.
San Diego came back to win it with less than a minute on the clock.
Thanks, tommyd. I've always felt for ole Sylvester.
RK, I tend to agree. We can talk as much as we like about skill position players, but the biggest difference will likely be the linemen.
I think our defense is not going to be surprised by speed and movement by their offense. I just hope they can contain the QB if a play breaks down.
Watching this offense reminds me very much of the 2004 Iron Bowl. I think Bama was up 6-0 at the half and the Bambi were excited. I wasn't even concerned because I knew that sooner or later our offense would kick in. I think we layed about 3 touchdowns on them in the third quarter. Suddenly the bambi nation became quiet.
The other thing we need to avoid is the face mask penalties. Last year the ones we have had would have been incidental and 5 yard penalties. The rule change has really hurt us.
As of today, weather forecast is calling for a 40% chance of T'storms after 1 pm all through the evening. I think a wet field would give us a slight advantage with the straight ahead running style we have with Tate. I'd rather see Dry though.
What up, Hotties?
I stayed up and watched it...Russell's throw to go up with 2:13 left was a thing of beauty. I wish I had slept.
In general, rain tends to even the playing field, but if it comes to a more run oriented game, I like our chances.
Steve, as my old partner Alan likes to say, defense is weather proof.
Dag nabbit. You people have gotten me nervous about this game. Now I must work on my unrealistic optimism.
I work with a guy big into gambling and is usually about 80 percent right, not only does he think we cover, but we cover big. He's got us winning by 17.
I hope he is right Sean...... Now where did I put my bookie's number?.....
I'm picking Auburn as well.
Speaking of covering, are our HABOTN picks available to pick yet?
I was confident we would beat LaTech and MSU. I haven't been nearly as confident about WV, but I do believe we should win. I just don't think we can make the type of mistakes we have been making and keep winning.
Sean,
As a non-gambler, I watch the lines to see if a trend is developing. The $ boys piled on Auburn early and line has moved anywhere from 1.5 to 2 points ... With less than a TD line to begin with, that's a heavy move.
Right, they wanted action and they got it...but I'm assured, even at 6.5, Auburn is still the pick.
Some of you have probably seen this, but I got it in an email and thought it was funny enough to pass along to you.
HOW MANY SEC FANS DOES IT TAKE TO CHANGE A LIGHT BULB?
At VANDERBILT: It takes two, one to change the bulb and one more to explain how they did it every bit as good as the bulbs changed at Harvard.
At GEORGIA: It takes two, one to change the bulb and one to stabilize the rolling beer cooler the bulb changer is using for a ladder.
At FLORIDA : It takes four, one to screw in the bulb and three to figure out how to get stoned off the old one.
At ALABAMA : It takes five, one to change it, three to reminisce about how The Bear would have d! one it , and one to throw the old bulb at an NCAA investigator.
At OLE MISS: It takes six, one to change it, two to mix the drinks and three to find the perfect J. Crew outfit to wear for the occasion.
At LSU: It takes seven, and each one gets credit for five Semester hours.
At KENTUCKY : It takes eight, one to screw it in and seven to discuss how much brighter it seems to shine during basketball season.
At TENNESSEE: It takes ten, two to figure out how to screw it in, two to buy an orange lamp shade, and six to phone a radio call-in show and talk about how much they hate Alabama.
At MISSISSIPPI STATE: It takes fifteen, one to screw in the bulb, two to buy the Skoal, and twelve to yell, "GO TO HELL, OLE MISS".
At AUBURN: It takes one hundred, one to change it, forty-nine to talk about how they did it better than at Bama and Georgia, and fifty to get drunk and roll Toomer's Corner when finished.
At SOUTH CAROLINA : It takes 80,000, one to screw it in and 79,999 to discuss how this finally will be the year that they have a decent football team.
At ARKANSAS : None. There is no electricity in Arkansas .
UT is going to become very interesting this weekend. Once they are 1-2, the pressure on Kiffikin will increase. I think they have a patsy of Ohio after Florida, which says they will likely be 2-2 when we play them. Suddenly we look like a must win game to them. I think they have Georgia after us.
Your right Jet - Opened at a 4 and now is sitting as a 7 favorite for AU. That's some serious money being laid on the Tigers to move that much.
I read an MSU blog last week where they wondered why we were such a big favorite. I suspect now the know.
I was thinking we would end up being favored by about 10, but it doesn't look like it will get that high.
That Arkansas-Georgia looks mighty interesting to me. Hate to see it being played at the same time as AU-WV. I'm thinking Arkansas wins.
I think we can push them around on the front lines on both sides of the ball.
Arkansas likely has the offense to give Georgia trouble, but their defense will be the question mark. Georgia really dodged a bullet against South Carolina. They need to do the same this week.
I wonder if Kiffikin will spend all night singing Rocky Top after the game Saturday. He really put his foot in his mouth with is comment earlier.
Arkansas/UGA will probably mirror last week's UGA/SC game.
RK, I was kind of thinking the same thing.
I still can't believe Kiffikin was proud he got Tennessee in the news. I really prefer the Chizik approach.
Kiffin has a long road ahead of him, he didn't do himself any favors.
He's from LA, where there's no such thing as bad publicity.
His opinion may change after Saturday. I am not sure what the best approach to playing Floria is. I am just certain that giving them motivation is a bad idea.
I fully believe the best approach to playing UF is to not play UF...
I'm starving! What is for lunch in the gump today??
We don't do too bad playing UF, JD
Florida has become a different monster since the last time we played them. Their defense is first rate.
Mr. Tommy the way I would word it is we have not done to bad playing UF. However we are not what we were and they are not what they were either.
Really the only way that I can see beating Florida is hanging with them on Offense and matching scores and having a turn over on either "D" or special teams. That is how Ole Miss did it last year and how UAT hung with them last year.
I like living in the past when its advantageous for me, JD ;)
Guys I have to go and make some sales calls. I'll catch yall lato.
I can't blame you there mytommy and I assure you we will be there again.
WANTED: One used couch to borrow this weekend. Blue with yellow accents would be preferable.
That's not a good idea Coop.
I am really pumped about the Florida/Tennessee game. If Tennessee plays like they did against UCLA, it is going to get very ugly. I see their chance as the same chance they will have against us. They need to play ball control. I don't think they can do it against that Gator defense.
Oh boy... Now he's talking to himself.
I am pumped about the Florida/Tennessee game too. I wish Jonathan Crompton could play all-time quarterback for UT.
I'm amazed Kiffin is leaving Crompton out there.
Crompton might be their best option. Nick Stevens didn't do so well when he played last year and their 3rd string guy transfered to UTC when he didn't get a shot in spring practice.
Did I just see Tyler Durden, played by Coop, flash on the blog?
The Gayta's are going to stomp a mud hole into the Kiffikens. I don't think it will get ugly, I know it will.
Go Gaytah
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