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9.16.2009

First Post: Wednesday of Week Three

Hey everyone. I hope you enjoyed yesterday's video. Us beat hacks got a kick out of Ben Tate telling some of the TV reporters to shut their mouths. It's usually us being the noise offenders, so I felt fortunate to catch them slippin' on tape. It makes for gripping cinema.

No more hating on Sensi for picking West Virginia. The HABOTN is founded on free speech. If he wants to make ~~bad decisions~~ unpopular choices, we should ~~trash~~ respect his decision.

Here's the Auburn situation at this moment:

TODAY'S STORIES

Great Expectations: Auburn's Chizik tried to confine optimism
Auburn notebook (Includes items on Lutzenkirchen, McFadden, Chizik and Stevens)

PREVIOUS STORIES

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
I'll have to leave this one TBA. Not yet sure what I have in store. Wednesdays are a big writing day for me -- gotta fill up the Saturday GameDay section -- so the blog takes a (temporary) back seat.

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.
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.)

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.

573 Comments:

ehyou said...: Woot!!; 8:26 AM
ehyou said...: Respect the Sensi.

Disagree, but respect.; 8:27 AM
Dear Leader said...: FAH Ehyou; 8:27 AM
Jay G. Tate said...: Slow internet in Pyongyang this morning/afternoon. Bummer. Off with someone's head.; 8:28 AM
Eddie McCoy said...: Who is Sensi?; 8:29 AM
IV said...: Happy Birthday Norm and good to hear that you are felling better Cincy. Take care of yourself. Big game Sat.; 8:31 AM
IV said...: I think we win over WV because we have Gus on our side, the deciding factor.; 8:32 AM
Scott M. Brannan said...: IN GUS WE TRUST.

it was gripping cinema JG. good work.; 8:34 AM
WarEagleRK said...: Down with Sensi.

Up with Steve's insane 56-6 best case scenario prediction.; 8:34 AM
cincytiger said...: Me likey 56-6!; 8:35 AM
Scott M. Brannan said...: don't forget, if we score over 50 points Jet and i are going on a couch-burning spree! sweet!; 8:38 AM
Jay G. Tate said...: Here's a stat for you ... this may be a little off because I'm going from memory:

Auburn has won its last 30 games in which it scored 30+ points. (Last loss was 1996 UGA)

WVU is 50-1 since 2000 when scoring 30+.

So 30 appears to be the magic barrier for both teams.; 8:41 AM
WarEagleRK said...: Just in case people missed it from the Chattanoogan.

Some call it the crime blotter, some call it multi-tasking.

Police were called to Cloverdale Loop to check out a report of a woman mowing the grass with a baby in her arms. The caller was concerned about the well-being of the baby.

Lisa Meadows said her neighbor/realtor/friend Kathy Lawson had mowed the grass for her on a riding mower.

She said she is a new mother and had not finished her breast feeding.; 8:42 AM
Loganville Tiger said...: Great opening statement with substance JGT - We should all do our best not to hate on Sensi....even though he is clueless - ahhh - I mean UNIFORMED on his predictions......; 8:44 AM
WarEagleRK said...: So they have had 21 more 30+ point games than us in a lot less time?; 8:44 AM
Loganville Tiger said...: The 1996 UGA game must have left a Really bad taste in my mouth - that was the last game I attended on the Plains.; 8:45 AM
Scott M. Brannan said...: RK, this is Tennessee. these things happen.; 8:45 AM
Quitstina said...: Do we have a Ball State time yet? I apologize if I missed it. I'm being lazy, I know; 8:47 AM
WarEagleRK said...: 7 eastern; 8:47 AM
ehyou said...: RK...
2 word explaination - Big East.; 8:49 AM
Eddie McCoy said...: Kristina- 6pm CST; 8:49 AM
Scott M. Brannan said...: Ball State, 5pm MDT, or 4pm Pacific.; 8:51 AM
Eddie McCoy said...: RK- i'm a fan of the chattanoogan, especially the outdoors section, but I missed that in the police blotter. I did like the text on tv incident that is impossible to happen.; 8:53 AM
Jet said...: Sensi likes the abuse, Jay G.

It makes him tougher.; 8:53 AM
Eddie McCoy said...: Ball State- Midnight, Sept 20th London Time.; 8:54 AM
michael said...: DOWN WITH SENSI!! DOWN WITH SENSI!!!!; 8:57 AM
Quitstina said...: Thanks guys! I can now take that round the world trip I had been planning and still know what time the game is.; 8:58 AM
cincytiger said...: Kristina,
I'm waiting for Aero to chime in and tell you what time it it where he is!; 9:08 AM
dnatl said...: Ball State kickoff is at 8 Sunday morning, for those in Pyongyang; 9:08 AM
Jay G. Tate said...: The chatter is that Auburn will have just two day games this season: Furman and Alabama.

I'm really hoping Auburn @ Arkansas is a day game as well. The last night game in Fayetteville was The Worst Professional Day of My Life. That trip, plus a 2-5 a.m. drive back to Tulsa, Okla., makes for a difficult 7 a.m. liftoff.; 9:12 AM
Aeronaut said...: Ball state will be at 5 AM IslamaBadass time, on fox sports.; 9:12 AM
michael said...: 4:45 am in Afghanistan. Wait a second...; 9:13 AM
IV said...: What time does 2.0 get it THT?; 9:14 AM
IV said...: Aero, I see you are alert and on the job. Thanks man; 9:16 AM
Eddie McCoy said...: Jay G- Try driving an equipment truck back from after a Fayetville game, no matter what time. That drive is a killer.; 9:16 AM
Tar Heel Tiger said...: I seriously doubt Arky will be a night game, but for my own selfish reasons, I hope it is since I've got unavoidable meetings that afternoon.

All right, I'll defer to our Writer Tate's wishes and hope Arky is a day game.

Can I hope for a KY night game? I've got all day meeting that Saturday, too.; 9:17 AM
Tar Heel Tiger said...: Ball State will be at 1 a.m. in Firenze, not that 2.0 cares. I suspect she'll be out partying somewhere and giving me ulcers and gray/less hair.; 9:18 AM
dnatl said...: You'll need to get your wife's permission first for that KY night game; 9:19 AM
IV said...: Do you mean that 2.0 likes to party rather than seeing/hearing Auburn football? Did she miss some basic teachings in her up-bringing? I am shocked.; 9:21 AM
WarEagleRK said...: The Ark game is the same weekend as UT/UGA, Florida/LSU & Alabama/Ole Miss...so we might be the early game.; 9:22 AM
Eddie McCoy said...: Arkansas has no business being in the SEC period. The drive / flight is terrible no matter what. The good thing is that the last time I went there, I was doing video and I got to fly with the team and they flew from Fayetville instead of Tulsa, like they did in the past.; 9:23 AM
Scott M. Brannan said...: we could be on ESPN, ESPN2, FOX, OR ESPNU at night. so many options these days. oh, and there's the 4pm ET slot too.; 9:25 AM
Aeronaut said...: Mere coincidence, IV.

I've to go out now. I need some groceries, batteries and other stuff.; 9:25 AM
IV said...: Eddie I agree that Arky should be in another conference. My ideal SEC would be an 8 team league with LSU, Ole Miss, MSU, The Evil Empire, AU, Fla., Jawjah and Tenn. with each team playing each other every year. I am sure there are those among you who would disagree with this however.; 9:29 AM
Tar Heel Tiger said...: Although Arky is "out there" geographically, MrsTHT and I were utterly disgusted when the SEC degraded itself by admitting SC.; 9:33 AM
IV said...: I think that 8 conference games are too many to play each year. I would like to see more quality non-conference games in order to showcase the SEC talent across the nation.; 9:35 AM
IV said...: Of course, with an 8 team league as I proposed with each team playing each other every year, you would have no need for a Conf. Champ. game every year and they aren't ever going to give up that cash cow.; 9:37 AM
Norm said...: Morning Hotties - First, thanks for the birthday wishes. Second, working for the man has been crazy the last 56 hours or so so I haven't been able to post too much but I've been pretty decent at keeping up. With that in mind, allow me to pile on a bit - SENSI, dude. If I had the time and your direct line at the office, I'd call you up to cuss and curse you out since I now know how much you appreciate it. This game just really doesn't worry me too much at all.

That's about all I have time for now. I'll check in on you Hotties and HABOTNistas later. Until then...

KEEP HATE ALIVE!; 9:39 AM
Eddie McCoy said...: Posting something on the rivals board and getting the idiotic responses I get makes me appreciate this place much more. I've been a rivals member for like 8 years and I have hardly ever posted there and every time I do, you get hammered just like an al.com board. This place is way more awesome.; 9:47 AM
WarEagleRK said...: I'm always in favor of better non-conference opponets. However I get told that it's my ego talking and we really shouldn't play UCLA.; 9:49 AM
Jay G. Tate said...: I don't understand why so many boards are havens of anger. Even my Rock Band board -- it's ROCK BAND!!! -- gets nasty and the moderators have to ban people.; 9:52 AM
Scott M. Brannan said...: Rock Band boards? really???; 9:53 AM
Frame said...: We could definitely lose to West Virginia. As soon as everyone goes around predicting shellackings, is when this train starts to come off the track.

We beat freaking Louisiana Tech (try again to convince me that they're any good), and the worst team in the SEC. Even MSU fans are predicting a 2-10 type season. The only game they could possibly be favored in is MTSU. And they could definitely lose that one.

So, as excited as I am about this offense, we still haven't put it up against a worthy opponent.; 9:54 AM
WarEagleRK said...: Because people hide behind a keyboard and think they can say anything they wanna say because nobody can reach out and stop them.

People take these things far too seriously. It's supposed to be fun, but there are a lot of lonely angry people out there.; 9:55 AM
mytommyd said...: Happy Birthday Norm!

As the days go by, Igo back and forth on this upcoming game. They're new on the Oline, so our D should be good. But their QB is working like Pat White and Noel Devine is pretty good too, although they've had some turnover issues. But we've been able to sub in the first 2 games for experience, and we've been able to practice against some FAH guys, too. Their D has been decent against their first 2 games, but on is a lower teir team, and ECU is not the ECU that beat Va Tech a year ago. Our offense has been controlling and we can rush the ball, and they're going to play a 3-3-5?!

I imagine I'll have this all figured out sometime late Saturday night; 9:56 AM
Miller said...: There are rock band boards?

I wonder if there are any fish shocking boards?; 9:56 AM
mytommyd said...: But Frame the difference between this year and last year, is that we ARE doing what we're supposed to be doing against those teams. I'm not sure last years team beats MSU and definitely not by 25 points. Although we still have no idea really how good our Auburn team is.; 9:58 AM
j-z said...: Mr. Tate,

I know I share too much sometimes, but I don't know that I would have shared that I had a Rock Band board.

Your pal,

j-z; 9:59 AM
mytommyd said...: Hey RK , you just #@$%#$%&#%^ and @$%^#%^& that opinon and $%#^%&$%^&$%^& it to ^&*(#$%@#$%!!!

oops I started the cursing thing again.; 10:00 AM
WarEagleRK said...: Last years team goes down to Miss State 17-14 following the blocked punt and never scores again.; 10:00 AM
Frame said...: I'm really just trying my damndest to keep my expectations down at a realistic level.

It's HARD, though. Harder than anything I've ever done before. And all I wanna do is DANCE.

2,3,4!; 10:01 AM
Miller said...: I think we rush for 400 yards against them, if they stick with a 3-3-5. When was the last time AU had a trio of backs over 100 yards in a single game? Or, one with 200 and a pair with 100?; 10:01 AM
Tar Heel Tiger said...: my guess is Maryland in '83; 10:03 AM
j-z said...: D. Miller,

The answer is apparently yes.

Electrofishing.net; 10:05 AM
Seanzie said...: What's goin on folks?; 10:05 AM
Seanzie said...: There are boards for everything and, as it were, most are filled with the trollish types. I guess the format is attractive.

I guess it's easy to be an internet badass.; 10:06 AM
Jet said...: RK ...

Understanding the limits of your ego is the path to self-enlightenment.

Or ... "I'm a dumb@$$."

It's known as the Franklin Principle.; 10:08 AM
mytommyd said...: I wonder if Feng makes it to the Rock Band board; 10:09 AM
Seanzie said...: You know, I bet that Feng gets around...; 10:09 AM
Anonymous said...: Like Bartles & James, I thank you for your support.

If I am wrong, I will take my lashes with pride.; 10:10 AM
Tar Heel Tiger said...: I'm headed to the cafeteria, which opens in 5 minutes. If I'm not back in time, I hope someone will fill in admirably at the appointed time ;-); 10:10 AM
mytommyd said...: RK I have a feeling you're dead on about that blocked punt and the "fragility" of last year's team. SO SO glad we got some new Sheriffs in town; 10:10 AM
mytommyd said...: I hope you're wrong Sensi. But your points are valid.; 10:11 AM
Loganville Tiger said...: 1983 Maryland Vs. Au - I believe it was homecoming.

Bo Jackson - 105 yards

Lionel James - 115 yards

Tommie Agee - 219 Yards

And last but not least:

Randy Campbell - 11 yards

Final score - AU 35, Maryland 23; 10:12 AM
mytommyd said...: Loganville with the stats!! I KNEW I loved that game for a reason other than watching Boomer get slammed about.; 10:15 AM
Eddie McCoy said...: Jay G- What's the latest on Hawthorne? Everyone seems to be very mum on him lately or I guess i've just missed the updates.; 10:16 AM
Loganville Tiger said...: I was at that game - and we were behind 17 - 14 at one point in the second half.; 10:18 AM
mytommyd said...: I was there too, and don't remember much of anything LT. Other than we won. Was 83 the year we made Shane Matthews cry?; 10:19 AM
Kathy said...: Happy Birthday Norm (again)!

Cincy, I'm glad you are feeling better. I posted this a few threads back, but you were probably in your drug-induced sleep then, so I'll repost. When I went to purchase my new Auburn tag last week, the lady told me that if you already have a personalized Auburn tag you will get the new tag in the mail when they are released.; 10:21 AM
Loganville Tiger said...: Here's your recap mytommyd:

The 3rd ranked, 7-1 Auburn Tigers & coach Pat Dye welcomed the 7th ranked Maryland Terrapins of coach Bobby Ross who stood 7-1. Three different Auburn running backs rushed for more than 100 yards with a touchdown as the Tigers amassed 450 yards rushing & Auburn's RB Tommie Agee scored 2 touchdowns as the Tigers retained The Belt with a 35-23 win over the Terrapins. The Tigers took the lead early in the 2nd quarter after a scoreless 1st quarter when QB Randy Campbell threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to WR Chris Woods to finish an 8-play, 74-yard scoring drive. Auburn pushed the lead to 14-0 when Agee broke loose for a 61-yard touchdown run. Maryland’s only points of the 1st half came midway through the 2nd quarter when PK Jess Atkinson hit a 30-yard field goal but the Terrapins still trailed 14-3 at the half. Maryland rallied in the 3rd quarter with QB Boomer Esiason throwing 2 touchdown passes to give the Terrapins the lead. The first came on a 10-yard pass to WR Sean Sullivan with 12:07 left in the 3rd quarter while the second came on a 14-yard pass to WR Greg Hill to finish a 12-play, 99-yard scoring drive with just 1:32 left in the quarter. Trailing 17-14 as they entered the 4th quarter, Auburn a 9-play, 81-yard drive capped by a 5-yard touchdown run by All-American RB Bo Jackson giving the Tigers a 21-17 lead. Agee’s second touchdown came on a 44-yard run with just 5:19 left in the game & gave Auburn a 28-17 lead that appeared to be safe but Esiason had other ideas. Esiason’s 40-yard touchdown pass to WR Russell Davis came just 3 plays later but the missed 2-point conversion attempt left the Terrapins trailing 28-23 with 4:32 to play. Auburn ran down the clock before Tigers' P Lewis Colbert pinned Maryland at their own 2-yard line with 0:38 left. The Terrapins’ last chance for a rally ended with Esiason fumbling while being sacked by Auburn's DE Quency Williams & the Tigers' All-SEC DT Donnie Humphrey fell on the ball in the end zone for a touchdown. Campbell finished with 67 yards passing with a touchdown as well as an interception, RB Lionel James rushed for 115 yards, & Jackson rushed for 105 yards with his touchdown to complement Agee. For Maryland, Esiason threw for 355 yards to set a Maryland school-record along with his 3 touchdown passes while Davis had 4 catches for 113 yards with his touchdown. Auburn finished the season 11-1; SEC Champions & ranked 3rd nationally while the Terrapins finished 8-4 & ACC Champions. Maryland would play for The Belt again in 1986.

I just remember we were behind and the sack of Boomer for a TD - didn't recall the 3 over 100 yards at all - though I do remember Agee having a big day - just not that big....; 10:24 AM
Tar Heel Tiger said...: I'm back with black-eyed peas and cornbread!!! YUMMY!!!; 10:25 AM
Kathy said...: I am on the Gus Bus! I think we win this weekend. Gus seems to find a way to adjust (which is a word we could not use last year) to the defense. We have a backfield of such different types of running backs that are running north/south finally! We have an offensive line that is blocking, and we have a great defensive staff. I feel good about our chances in every game. This team will fight. It's just the tangibles. Looks like we might see some rain this weekend. Which team does that favor?; 10:30 AM
mytommyd said...: Thanks LT - yeah don't remember any of that. I think I must have walked around in a stupor my first year. And I am convinced to this date that there are some classes I actually never went to, but somehow still got credit for them. Two classes in the bottom of Parker.; 10:30 AM
mytommyd said...: I think if WVU plays a 3-3-5 we're going to run it into their second and third lines of defense all night long. I just hope we can make the adjustments to contain a running QB with our D. We've had problems with that before. Although with different coaches.; 10:32 AM
mytommyd said...: So what happened, everyone go out for blackeyed peas and cornbread?!; 10:37 AM
Scott Chocolate said...: MTD, you just messed up my planned "Tillman, Tillman, Tillman!" post. Oh well, I was only doing it to help THT get to "Beasley!".; 10:38 AM
Kathy said...: War Eagle THT!; 10:41 AM
Eddie McCoy said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 10:42 AM
Kathy said...: Glad I could help! Now go enjoy your lunch.; 10:42 AM
Tar Heel Tiger said...: Thanks!!! to all the Hotties for the set-up teamwork!!!

WARRRRRR EAGLE!!!

56-34!!! AU is gonna score!!!; 10:42 AM
Seanzie said...: I like the Gus Bus...I just wish I had called "shotty" earlier.; 10:44 AM
coosa said...: The play I remember most about that 83 game was AU having 4th and 3 from about their own 30 with around 2 minutes to play, leading 28-23. Dye went for it and made it, and that allowed them to run the clock down to 38 seconds before punting.

I thought it was the gutsiest call of his career. If it had failed, Finebaum and crew would have had a field day talking about how dumb he was. I thought it won the game for us; if we had punted then, Maryland surely would have scored.

Dye said later that he thought that if he punted Maryland would have been back to our 30 in 2 plays anyway.

Later in his career, he wouldn't have dreamed of making that call. There's something about success that turns coaches conservative. Happened to Dye and to Tubs. Chiz ain't there yet, so we may see anything from him.; 10:47 AM
Tar Heel Tiger said...: I don't know why I love black-eyed peas and cornbread so much. I mash it all up together. YUM YUM YUM.

Although I admit, I don't use my fork as a road-grader in the pea/cornbread mtn as I did when I was a kid.; 10:47 AM
mytommyd said...: CORNBREAD!! Aint nuthin wrong with that!; 10:52 AM
weagle251 said...: Finebaum had a radio show in '83?; 10:56 AM
mytommyd said...: good jog weagle; 11:05 AM
mytommyd said...: or job, whatever; 11:05 AM
Miller said...: THT, that's the only way to eat it. Good stuff!; 11:18 AM
Unknown said...: I love this Al Borges article. I liked this guy a lot.; 11:22 AM
Unknown said...: I love the article on expectations, Jay. This team is special, but one bad game can definitely change that perception quickly. That is good stuff.; 11:28 AM
mytommyd said...: I tell ya what Steve, it will be VERY interesting to see how this team handles adversity.; 11:33 AM
Unknown said...: Tommy, that is what I am thinking. I am glad to see them get a chance to experience some success early, but not all the games will be as easy as the first two. With an offense like this, even if we are behind, as long as the team keeps fighting, there is a chance.

Jay, don't underestimate that value of trashing Sensi. I found it refreshing.; 11:38 AM
coosa said...: weagle251 - I don't think the Slimy One had his own radio show in 83, but he was around. Not sure when he was doing what regarding his newspaper column, tv and radio, but he was the one who coined the "4th and dumb" line the next season when Bo went the wrong way.; 11:41 AM
WarEagleRK said...: CORNBREAD!! Aint nuthin wrong with that!

Awesome; 11:42 AM
Peter Frankenschmidt said...: Schedule Sensi a colonic, 'cause his picks are.....nevermind.; 11:47 AM
Peter Frankenschmidt said...: Ima big fan of cornbread....no sugar added.; 11:48 AM
coosa said...: Steve - I think that's the reason this is the most important game of the season, losing it would kill our confidence.

The 78 team was 3-0 and rolling when Miami came to town. AU scored late and went for 2 and made it to lead 15-14, but Miami came back and kicked a FG at the end to win. The team never seemed to recover from the loss and only won 6 games and didn't go to a bowl. The next year we were on probation and couldn't go, though we were 8-3.

Barfield might still be our coach if we had won that game.

Well, maybe not.; 11:49 AM
Jet said...: Since it's raining in the Gump ... childhood home of Norm ... why don't we honor him on the anniversary of his birth and find a field somewhere and have NormStock?

We could invite a few of his favorite bands -- PooNanny, Xavion, Parliament.; 11:51 AM
Loganville Tiger said...: F'Bomb was around in '83 - writing for the then Birmingham Post Herald? He was just as poison pen then as he is now.

I also think Steve the small dose of adversity they have experienced early by getting scored on late in first half has also helped. They rose to the occasion both times. It will be interesting to see their response when they get a large dose of it. We all know it is going to happen. But as everyone has said before, I like out chances in the way this team has pulled together and seem to fight to the whistle on every play.........Yea, I like our chances...

LT; 11:53 AM
Unknown said...: Barfield was an almost coach. At times we looked good, but he never really had that breakout season. Part of his problems were that in 78 and 79 we went up against a couple of the best Bear teams.; 11:54 AM
Loganville Tiger said...: God Help Us Coosa if Barfield was still out coach - I lived on campus through those years - and it wasn't fun.....; 11:54 AM
Unknown said...: I agree that getting behind in the second quarter could actually have turned out to be a good thing. The team reacted with two quick touchdowns. While I am not really high on the DWWD acronym, it is very applicable in terms of what the player's mindset should be. What an opponent does should affect your confidence. You keep doing what you do and things will turn out the best.; 11:58 AM
Unknown said...: Barfield had us as a middle of the pack SEC team. There was reason for optimism at times, but those were tough years. At that time we played Tennesse, Florida, Georgia, and Alabama every season. As a rule, we played the toughest teams in the SEC. Bama took the others.; 11:59 AM
mytommyd said...: For those of you that know - is this 3-3-5 defense something new and extroadinary, or is it something they do because they haven't got the beef to be upfront.

Just wantin some defensive edumacation today. I'll ask about their offense manana, although I think its the same as they ran last year, right?; 12:02 PM
Ephemeral said...: The first two rules of Southern cuisine:

1. Ice tea is sweet.

2. Cornbread is not.

I read that somewhere.; 12:03 PM
Unknown said...: Everyone should check out Auburn Insider. It is good stuff. They talk about West Virginia and how their passing game has improved. This is a different West Virginia offense than we have seen in the past.; 12:04 PM
Peter Frankenschmidt said...: Sitting beside two U-Miami Med School students who are discussing their upcoming residencies. One is having to explain to the other that 48 weeks (4 wks x 12 months) does not make a year. Disturbing.; 12:05 PM
Eddie McCoy said...: mytommy- I could be wrong, but I think Joe Lee Dunn used to run the defense. West Virginia uses the defense to be aggressive with the LB's and put pressure on the runner or the QB. It is possible to pop some pretty good plays against it or have several negative plays. It's a roll the dice defense IMO.; 12:05 PM
Unknown said...: I believe the 3-3-5 is something that has evolved in response to spread offenses. This isn't something that is unheard of and I don't think they are using it because of bodies. It is just a way to react to the spead of the offenses.; 12:06 PM
Eddie McCoy said...: Thanks for the plug Steve.; 12:06 PM
Unknown said...: Eddie, I use to love Joe Lee Dunn and admired his defenses when he was at MSU. With Dunn, he might rush everyone. He might have every player drop into coverage. He is a true innovator in terms of defenses and I believe he did use the 3-3-5 at times, but he used a lot of stuff.; 12:08 PM
Peter Frankenschmidt said...: ....plus, you get Sensi's ridiculous pick and the reasoning behind it.; 12:08 PM
mytommyd said...: Thank you gang!; 12:13 PM
Unknown said...: I can see the reason for Sensi's pick. I don't agree with it, but West Virginia has a lot of potential. They have good skill players and a solid defense which is better against the run.

Our passing game has been impressive at times, but it hasn't been the staple of our offense. A big concern with this game is that I think we will rely more on Todd's arm and his decision making. So far he has done well, but this will be a good test for him.

I am also hoping they get the ball to Lunchinkitchen a good bit. He apparently wasn't that big of a blocker in high school, so we might as well use his pass catching ability.; 12:15 PM
Aeronaut said...: When was the last time an SEC team beat WV?

I am not sure but I think mountaineers have won the last 10 against SEC opponents.; 12:16 PM
wtc said...: Cornbread and black-eyed peas. THrough a little pepper sauce on it, and all you need is a glass of sweet tea. Lunch is done.; 12:17 PM
Eddie McCoy said...: Does anyone honestly know why we have a TE? I mean other than the TD catch by Lutz, that position has been dead. I intend to watch a little bit closer how important the blocking is for that position in the offense. I'm still in the dark on this position right now.; 12:17 PM
wtc said...: Throw not through.; 12:17 PM
Eddie McCoy said...: WV is the opposite of Ohio State when it comes to SEC Play.; 12:18 PM
Unknown said...: Aeronaut, I am not sure but I do remember West Virginia beating the snot out of Georgia in the Sugar Bowl one year. It was ugly.

But this is a different West Virginia offense. They are still spread, but they are more balanced than they have been in the past and have moved away from the Rich "why did I go to Michigan" Rod offense.; 12:18 PM
WarEagleRK said...: Eddie,

The TE is the receiver of the Wildcat formation. Both passes Kodi has thrown have been to the TE.; 12:20 PM
wtc said...: My opinion is that AU has not shown much of their offense yet. coaches sorta kew they could just runthe ball against the teams we have played so far. I believe the sets they used will just lead to the visitors preparing for stuff that we will not run in the coming weeks.

To me it is like taking a math class. You have to learn the basic stuff in the early weeks becasue they add more steps as the season progresses. I think Gus adds more options out of the sets he uses but makes them look similar to what he is running now.

What do you think?; 12:21 PM
Seanzie said...: The biggest difference in the West Virginia offense is their move from the shotgun to more of a pistol formation in order to get the RB running downhill. The concepts otherwise are the same.

The 3-3-5 defense is much like the 3-4 in that with so many free players, the defense tries to use speed and confusion to harass the offense.

The biggest diference is that instead of a hybrid LB/DE employed in the 3-4 or the "Jack" linebacker, they 3-3-5 usees hybride LBs/DBs called "spurs" to change up the looks.; 12:21 PM
michael said...: Steve - they didn't beat the snot out of them, they jumped out to a big lead but then almost lost. It was Pat White's and Steve Slaton's freshman year.; 12:21 PM
WarEagleRK said...: This year, someone please stop Jock Sanders on the crossing routes.; 12:21 PM
Scott M. Brannan said...: The Mountaineers hold a 22-17-2 all-time series record with schools which hail from the
Southeastern Conference, including five wins in a row from 2000 - 2008. WVU is 1-0 against Auburn,
1-1 vs. Florida, 1-0 against Georgia, 8-11-1 against Kentucky, 1-0 against Ole Miss, 2-0 against
Mississippi State, 7-4-1 vs. South Carolina and 1-1 vs. Vanderbilt.; 12:21 PM
Scott M. Brannan said...: funny, but Dennis Franchione is an ESPN Radio analyst for this game. i didn't know he did that.; 12:23 PM
digger4au said...: Potential means you ain't done it yet.
Go Tigers lay it on the snuff dippers.; 12:25 PM
Scott M. Brannan said...: if you want more WVU info you can click HERE.; 12:26 PM
Peter Frankenschmidt said...: storied programs do not have losing records to Kentucky.; 12:28 PM
Tar Heel Tiger said...: Statty Burns with the knowledge!!!; 12:29 PM
WarEagleRK said...: Sensi makes it sound like we are playing against the 2007 New England Patriots offense.; 12:30 PM
Unknown said...: Thanks for the good WV info Scottie.; 12:31 PM
Scott M. Brannan said...: THT, i'm finally catching up with some paperwork so i'm sneaking in some research. i wish i could find video of their ECU game but i'm coming up with nada.; 12:32 PM
Scott M. Brannan said...: thanks SFC.

there's also a few articles on www.wvgazette.com.; 12:33 PM
michael said...: The last loss to an SEC team I have found is 1993 to Florida in the Sugar Bowl. I haven't seen the regular season results for them prior to the 1999 season, though. Why didn't the internets make it to West Virginia before 1999? We could ask Monica, but..well...you know...; 12:33 PM
WarEagleRK said...: Bob Davie! #@!@'n Bob Davie is doing our game this week.

Awful.; 12:33 PM
digger4au said...: Yea I saw that and almost through up Davie the nerd; 12:35 PM
digger4au said...: Or Threw up; 12:36 PM
Tar Heel Tiger said...: Bob Davie? That is reason enough to make the 1000 mile drive this weekend.; 12:37 PM
michael said...: Bob Davie's voice is soothing. The things he says make you angry. You end up falling asleep arguing with him. It's an interesting trick he does.; 12:37 PM
Unknown said...: Any old school Auburn fan should not listen to the TV broadcast. Sure, watch the TV, but listen to the Auburn Network. It is the best way to keep up with Auburn.; 12:38 PM
Eddie McCoy said...: Thanks RK. What about other than Wildcat formation? Any use other than blocking?; 12:38 PM
Scott M. Brannan said...: aw, no love for Davie, eh? i guess i'm too tolerant. he doesn't bother me.

the best ever ESPN crew as the Ron Franklin, Gottfried, & Adrian Karsten crew on saturday nites. by far my favorites.; 12:38 PM
Scott M. Brannan said...: Nessler and Blackledge are growing on me, though. pretty good.; 12:39 PM
Eddie McCoy said...: Steve- If you can tolerate all the whining that Rod does over officiating, then I agree. This is not the Auburn Network of old, that's for sure.; 12:40 PM
ehyou said...: The radio and TV broadcasts are rarely sync'd up. It makes me feel discombobulated.; 12:42 PM
Unknown said...: Bramblett is better than he was when I first listened to him. He is getting there. I just couldn't listen to him after Fyffe. It took a while for me to get over Auburn without Jim Fyffe. It just wasn't the same.; 12:42 PM
E-Bro said...: I agree scottie. Always liked Blackledge, but Mike Patrick...not so much. The pairing of TB with Nessy was a master stroke by ESPN I thought.; 12:43 PM
WarEagleRK said...: Rod Bramblett just sounds like he's forcing emotion in his calls.

Plus he cries over any call against Auburn.; 12:43 PM
Unknown said...: ehyou, usually the radio leads the TV broadcast a bit, so I take it as a preview of the play. I am convinced they are messing with me and some day what shows up on TV isn't going to match up.; 12:43 PM
Unknown said...: The thing about Jim Fyffe is his emotions were definitely for real. The guy loved Auburn football. He wasn't unbiased and never pretended to be. He was a great Auburn man broadcasting Auburn games. Man, I still miss him.; 12:45 PM
ehyou said...: I'd rather do my own play-by-play and analysis than listen to Mike "Please Mute Me" Patrick.; 12:47 PM
Eddie McCoy said...: Steve- I think Rod is a good Auburn man, but he just flat out stinks as play-by-play. He tries to be natural, but he is naturally bad at this gig. When will the Auburn ISP Management make a change??? I'm guessing change is only up to Rod.; 12:47 PM
Eddie McCoy said...: Was Patrick the idiot that brought up Britney Spears in a critical part of a game last year?; 12:48 PM
Scott M. Brannan said...: with fancy tv's these days all you've got to do is pause the tv for a second or two and sync it up. let's go people! this is game 3!!!!; 12:51 PM
Unknown said...: As for Sensi's prediction, he has credibility since he is kicking the crap out of me at pickem, but he did predict a close game with MSU.

There are a lot of ways this game can go. If I am WV, I look to keep our offense off the field. I think that it isn't a coincidence that we have looked stronger in the second half of games. We are just wearing the defenses out.; 12:53 PM
Tar Heel Tiger said...: I like Ron Franklin, and bammer-related Gottfried didn't bother me much. I think I would really like Franklin paired with Blackledge. I'm not a Nessler fan.; 12:55 PM
michael said...: Adrian Karsten - now there was a death that came out of nowhere.

I don't mind Davie. I really haven't minded any of the SEC crews. Mike Patrick was a moron, but he was entertaining. I didn't mind him with Blackledge. When he was with Paul McGuire and Joe Theisman on NFL Sunday night football... now there is the worst broadcast team in the history of mankind. Hateful, unknowledgebale, incapable of seeing the obvious in replays, and annoying.; 12:55 PM
Eddie McCoy said...: Steve- WV is not a ball control offense. If that is their gameplan, that only works in our favor.; 12:55 PM
Quitstina said...: Who was the moron that brought up Britney Spears last year? That ticked me off to no end. Was that the WVU game? I just remember screaming at the TV for him to shut the heck up.; 12:57 PM
Scott M. Brannan said...: with almost every SEC game in HD now, who cares who announces it? sit back, relax, grab a cold beverage, and enjoy.

or better yet, come join us on the Plains saturday. should be fun.; 12:57 PM
ehyou said...: Oh my gosh, don't get me started on Paul McGuire.

Now that I think about it, I can probably name the announcers I like on one hand.; 12:58 PM
Eddie McCoy said...: Kristina- I think it was patrick, but i'm not completely sure of it, hence my question also.; 12:58 PM
Unknown said...: Eddie, I can't see them matching us score for score. We don't lose when we score over 30 points. Our defense is better than the score indicated against MSU. That is why I think we win, assuming we don't get too pathetic in our kicking game.; 12:58 PM
michael said...: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_3Snd4HkgQ

Britney Spears reference.

I think it is hilarious. One of the all time great moments in broadcasting. Would have annoyed me if it was Auburn playing, but since it wasn't just enjoy it!; 1:00 PM
Eddie McCoy said...: Scottie- I try to enjoy the games on the tube live on a as needed only basis. Nothing duplicates the atmosphere of a good college football game. That is as close to Nirvana as it gets.; 1:00 PM
michael said...: And yes, that's Mike Patrick.

Between his nonsense and Todd's creepy Taste of the Town, I loved that booth.; 1:01 PM
Eddie McCoy said...: Steve- Jay G said that WVU doesn't lose when it scores above 30 points either. One trend has to give if both teams score alot.; 1:02 PM
E-Bro said...: Steve said: "Eddie, I can't see them matching us score for score."

Can we take a moment and think about where this offense was a year ago and reflect on the significance/magnitude of that statement.; 1:02 PM
Quitstina said...: Yeah, I was hoping to get an answer too Eddie. You reminded me of it and now I wanna know for sure. I would hate to misplace my unreasonable anger on some innocent dude. That was just the epitome of idiotic! Now I'm mad thinking about it again.; 1:02 PM
Unknown said...: The fact is that this Auburn offense is breaking some long time school records. I think I read where this is the first time we have had over 500 yards in back to back games since 1970. That is the Pat Sullivan era.

Also, while the pass to Zachery broke the record for the longest pass play set in 2004, it also broke the record for the longest offensive play period. That record was held by Ralph O'Gwynne. You may not remember Ralph. He set the record in 1936, while my grandparent were still kids.; 1:04 PM
ehyou said...: It's funny how the other guy in the booth says "who?".; 1:05 PM
Norm said...: Jet - a fine idea and excellent band suggestions.; 1:05 PM
Loganville Tiger said...: I'm in your camp Eddie -

I don't care for Rod's announcing either.; 1:05 PM
Unknown said...: Okay, when is the last time a team scored 30 on us when we had an offense?; 1:06 PM
Quitstina said...: Arrrrgh! That was just INSANE.; 1:07 PM
Eddie McCoy said...: Thanks for the link Michael. It was two years ago in an OT game. What a moron.; 1:08 PM
michael said...: Lighten up, Kristeeniuh! It's just good fun. Don't take life too seriously, have a smile, drop kick a dog, and go on with your day happy!; 1:09 PM
Unknown said...: My guess is that it was a UGA game in the mid 90s and it went into overtime. It was just prior to Bowden turning the program around.; 1:09 PM
coosa said...: If you are close enough to Birmingham, you can tune your radio to WJOX and it will be about 1 second behind the Directv picture. Rod may not be the greatest announcer in the world, but he's our guy, and at least they stay focused on the game and not some nonsense like most others do.

Though I recorded the State game and watched it Monday - the Fox announcers weren't that bad.; 1:10 PM
Tar Heel Tiger said...: I'm starting to get depressed at the thought of the season being over in just 11 weeks :-(; 1:10 PM
Seanzie said...: Who is saying WVU is going to score 30+ points?

I'd say that's awfully optimistic considering their youth and lack of production against inferior squads.; 1:11 PM
Unknown said...: We should start a pool. How long will it take during the Auburn/West Virginia game before Tim Tebow is mentioned?; 1:13 PM
Aeronaut said...: I like Eric Collin.; 1:14 PM
michael said...: I like turtles.; 1:15 PM
Quitstina said...: OK, I kicked a dog. Feel better now. Thanks, Mchuelae; 1:16 PM
Seanzie said...: Steve, at some point early, they will discuss how what we do is similar to what Tim Tebow does in the red zone, so I would say halfway through the first quarter.; 1:17 PM
Seanzie said...: New page?; 1:17 PM
Seanzie said...: Steve, at some point early, they will discuss how what we do is similar to what Tim Tebow does in the red zone, so I would say halfway through the first quarter.; 1:17 PM