10.01.2009

All we have are the embers

Hey everyone. Thanks for a wildly successful Campfire® on Thursday night. We had a total of 377 particpants during the 90-minute session. That's great!

Topics included:
Iowa, corn, maize, Junior Rosegreen, peyote, The Strutting Duck, Bill Stewart vs. Monte Kiffin cage match, Dontae Aycock, Tyrik Rollison and much more.

Big up to those who went the distance: JD, Jhag, Eddie, E-Bro, RK, WilsonsTailgate, Freep, THT, Emmett and FSJ.

121 comments:

  1. almost almost substance

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  2. Devine is one yard shy of topping what he had vs Auburn

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  3. Thanks! Eye on the prize here and there.

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  4. wait... 220, that's got it

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  5. Ember substance...That's the best kind of substance.

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  6. Bill Stewart vs. Monte Kiffin cage match

    hahaha

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  7. let Dr. Lou smoke some ember substance in his pipe

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  8. Monte Kiffin likes Nebraska.

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  9. So, who will be the CU coach next year?

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  10. THT- Lack of money equals Hawkins.

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  11. oh, i'm sure they could get Tony Franklin for less ;-)

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  12. I am proud to say I made it through the campfire without getting banhammered!!!

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  13. Now Colorado needs to go for the 12 point conversion.

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  14. If I am Colorado, I feel pretty good about how they performed tonight. If I am a WV fan, I am a bit concerned.

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  15. If I am Colorado, I'm looking for another school or another coach. With their schedule, it's only going to get worse.

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  16. Kicking team still can't advance an onside kick, right?

    Fowler is a 'tard. Unless, of course, they've changed the rule and I'm too stupid to know.

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  17. Bill Stewart's son trying to work in on Erin Andrews?

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  18. Fowler is an idiot. I believe he's a Colorado grad, so maybe he was just wishing for the best.

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  19. Over/Under for number of stupid Iowans on the blog tomorrow?

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  20. JGT - that's exactly what I was thinking.

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  21. Craig Sanders enrolling in January meaning he would count on last year's class if there was any room, or next year's if he has to pay his own way spring semester.

    Anyone recall if we enrolled less than 25 of our 28 signees this year?

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  22. Buffalo's held WVU to about 150 yards less than what we did.

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  23. As I recall, Auburn signed less than 25.

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  24. THT ...

    Rule 6-1-6 specifically says if the kicking team gains possession of a free kick, the ball is dead.

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  25. Apparently there is some breaking news about an extortion attempt involving David Letterman..

    Letterman

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  26. I wonder if ESPN has sent Fowler the "we love the SEC, we gave them millions of dollars, so we have to act like we like the south" memo yet.

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  27. I wouldn't get overly concerned over our defense. There are certainly questions and we are paying the price for playing a lot of players, but we just have some questions. Tennessee clearly has a known problem at QB. I could draw up a defense to give UT trouble. I am sure Chiz and Roof will come through there.

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  28. Ref Jet - thanks. Would you like to forward that to Chris Fowler. It really annoys me when announcers don't know the rules of the game they are calling. Which is quite often, unfortunately.

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  29. Extortion...first Rick Pitino now David Letterman. Who's next?

    Probably some crazy Iowan and Jay G.

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  30. I switched to the UAB game, good to see them finally beat USM.

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  31. I think mr sanders would be signee 19 or 20 because of the number of non qualifiers, not sure but i do know he'll count against last year.

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  32. Rarely do I see an announcer or color commentator that brings that much to a broadcast. Basically, I listen for interesting facts, but in terms of what is going on on the field, most comments are pretty obvious.

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  33. THT ...

    I'd love to pull my old official's uni back out.

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  34. For those who watch The Office, anyone else think tonight's show wasn't up to their normal standards?

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  35. myron cope is one of my fave all time announcers....

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  36. Ovechkin already leading the NHL in goal scoring.

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  37. baseball - Milo Hamilton
    football - Keith Jackson or Lindsey Nelson
    basketball - Woody Durham (UNC)

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  38. What do yall think about this?


    The problem with all the places Gus has been is that the defenses are poor because they face his finesse approach in practice every day. They don't develop a defensive toughness because his offense has little physicality to it. Everywhere he goes the defenses are terrible. Plus his offense tends to score quickly and leave the defense on the field all game. Same problem these Big 12 teams have.

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  39. Since our offense has been very physical, I am not sure how that would apply.

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  40. Apparently we have had a punter commit.

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  41. Mescaline? Around a campfire? That's safe for both your physical body and mental health! Yep.

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  42. Yeah 6'5 230 punter he is a 5star as far as punters are concerned on kicking combine websites he's been offcial for a week now idk why they are just making a deal out of it now

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  43. Please tell me Auburn's signing him because he's a package deal with his best friend, a longsnapper who is looking at a number of schools, but doesn't want to leave his teammate behind. There's a serious need for scholarship longsnappers.

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  44. In a bit of ironic irony, Steven Clark, the punter that just committed to us had two other schools he was interested in, Purdue and Iowa. Yea, he turned down the cornpones.

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  45. Don't underestimate the value of a good long snapper. They are judged in terms of how quickly they get the ball back, which helps prevent blocks.

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  46. jhag,

    I agree with part of what you said that Gus' offense scores so quickly that the D spends a lot of time on the field. I think we have an average D that looks worse than it is because of the time they have to stay on the field.

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  47. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/stewart_mandel/10/01/malzahn/

    Nice article about malzahn and his hurry up offense.

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  48. Some will say AU hasn't played anybody that has a good defense.

    Auburn has scored TDs on 12 of its 15 possessions in the red zone — six passes and six rushes — and also has two field goals from inside the opponents' 20. Last year, Auburn finished last in the nation in red-zone efficiency. (Mobile Press Register)

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  49. Morning Hotties! TGIF! I signed on to the Campfire and then got busy with laundry and housecleaning. Sad but true. Hope I didn't miss anything earth-shattering. Have a great day and keep Hatin on UA-T! War Eagle

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  50. Last year at this time AU had played LaMo, So Miss, Miss St, LSU. We did not have 1/2 the stats that are being put up now. IMO, GM has made a huge difference with the O using basically the same players as 2008, and they are all healthy. That helps ALOT.

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  51. I saw that article WTC. It was a very nice writeup on Gus and what he has been doing from high school on up.

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  52. I look for Auburn to come out and try to put it on the Vols. I really believe this staff is looking for a statement type win.

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  53. Here is something that reinforces what I think Kathy and Eddie have been discussing.

    Auburn’s frantic offensive pace hasn’t helped the defense. The Tigers had four first-half touchdown drives against Ball State, none of which lasted longer than two minutes, keeping the defense on the field.

    For the season, the Tigers have had the ball 27 minutes, 45 seconds per game, 102nd nationally in time of possession.
    (Andy Bitter)

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  54. If red-zone efficiency were just a few points higher last year, where would Chiz and Malzahn be?

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  55. Well the offense can't help that they keep breaking 50+ yd TD runs, and 93 yd pass plays. I'm sure if allowed they'd hold the ball ALOT longer than they have been. I do remember them having a 5 min drive in the La Tech game. Well some game.

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  56. Actually this offense isn't designed to have 5 min drives. Malzahn wants the ball snapped with between 30-35 seconds on the play clock every time. That does not translate well to 5+ min drives.

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  57. I agree with that WTC. I'll always take points and a shorter rest time for the Defense. That why the points come in spurts during the game. The faster the tempo, the more the points, or at least it just always seems that way to me.

    Question for the group, of the 4 teams we have played already, where do you think UT's ranks? I have my opinions.

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  58. I think UT on the road ranks as our toughest game so far.

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  59. I would go

    UT
    WVU
    Miss State
    La Tech
    Ball State

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  60. I think their defense will be the best we faced and the offense the 3rd best we have faced.

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  61. I'm sorry, I worded my darn question wrong, where do you think UT's Offense ranks?

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  62. On the road will surely be a test for the young guys. Ijust don't think UT's O can put up the points needed to beat AU.

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  63. I'd put UT's offense 2nd behind WVU.

    They have SEC talent on their offense, they have just underachieved.

    Brown and Hardesty are a better combo than any other team we've faced so far.

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  64. Their OL will probably be the best we've faced so far.

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  65. I also feel the AU offense can and will put up yardage and points. I know they stopped UF, but the Au offense is much better. UF depended on Tebow. Without a go to receiver, UT could focus on slowing Tebow down. They did. AU's offense does not focus on one person. I forget the game, but Tate did not even play the 1st quarter. He rode the bike right in front of me for the entire quarter. I think he finished with over 100 yards rushing.

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  66. I thought their OL had some injury problems. I now the D has them.
    I may be wrong on that.

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  67. 99% of the time an average or injured UT OL will be better than anything WVU, MSU, Ball State or La Tech can put out there.

    Maybe this is that 1%.


    Yes, UT has had a bad couple of seasons, but they are still UT, they still get top SEC level players. They still have talent and can put it together at any time.

    I hope it doesn't happen, but we aren't playing Vandy or some Big East team this weekend.

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  68. WTC- UT's OL has been banged up, and I want to say Richardson in particular. I think UT's offense is the 3rd best we have faced this year. I think State edges them out and i'm not so sure that LA TECH is that much different than UT.

    I can understand the nervousness about the game, especially from living there, but I really like the way we match up against them. Their CB's are unproven and missing their leader in the middle of the defense will hurt. I agree with WTC, I think we will put yardage and points up on the board. I just feel really good right now. I hope that is not a bad thing, but i'm fine with it.

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  69. I think we'll put points up against them as well. However I think a lot of people are banking on us getting a lot of turnovers against them, and you just can't predict them.

    Our turnover ratio looks really good because we picked up 6 of them in one game.



    What happens if UT's offense doesn't turn the ball over the entire game?

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  70. UT is going to have a slow methodical rushing and short passing game. If they don't turn the ball over and we struggle getting them into 3 and out situations, then our offensive chances get limited as will our chances to get the momentum going that we've gotten in previous games.

    I'm very cautiously optimistic going into this game.

    UT knows they have to win this game or their season is shot, so we'll get their best effort.

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  71. RK- I'm with you, I don't bank on Turnovers. I actually believe we will see the best game yet by the defense. Like i've said previously about the Defense, they have been in position most of the year to make the plays but have wiffed at times. They are getting better at this and like my Bro pointed out a couple of weeks ago, the defense was limited in its amount of live tackling int he fall due to depth and is just now catching up to the correct speed of the game.

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  72. If we had our secondary from 93 or 94 then I'd bank on turnovers.

    However that secondary was a once in a life time grouping.

    I want to win, that's all I care about. I just think a lot of people are just assuming that UT will play us like they played against Ohio last week.

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  73. WERk-I agree we get their best shot. I agree that turnovers are big part of our game. I also think that 4 games into a season, things that are going wrong are more of a trend than an anomoly. Crompton throws INT's, our punt returners don't return punts, etc. Most of these type things will continue for the the entire season. Therefore, I think, in this game, UT coughs it up and AU takes advantage. If Au gets up, look for Chiz to mash the gas. I not over confident, I just feel goos about AU's chances.

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  74. RK- I just want the W also, I just don't see why there is a reason to be nervous about it. I'm not suggesting we are rolling into Knoxville and routing them as my score prediction would indicate, but I just love our Team's chemistry right now and how they go about their business. Let's face it, Chizik and Company like to their talking on the field this year, and I love it.

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  75. Oh no, they will play much better than they played against Ohio.

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  76. I agree if we get up, we won't let up.

    Look at the 2004 game there. It was 31-3 at the half and 34-10 final.

    This staff wouldn't stop at 31-3 at the half.

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  77. Watch or new wrinkles in this offense from Gus. I still think he has been holding back on a few options. If we get the ball first, I anticipate something different from him. Double reverse flee flicker hail mary hook and ladder pass, or something like that.

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  78. I'm not nervous about it. I think we will win.

    However, I just think a lot of people think because UT has struggled that they don't have talent and can't beat us.

    We don't yet know how our team will play on the road and we haven't seen our offense execute against a team that can put pressure on us.

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  79. I doubt we'll see a hail mary since a caller tipped everyone off by asking Chizik about it.

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  80. Notice no commas in that last remark. That was all on one play.

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  81. So far, how has the Cover (Tampa) 2 done against the spread? I haven't done enough research on it, but I would believe that this defense is not designed well to handle this type of offense and it would need to be tweaked. Tampa 2 is very good against pro-set teams, IMO. Malzahn's unbalanced attacks should cause some mismatches, IMO.

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  82. I hope we boatrace them.

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  83. WERK, but what if Kodi is the passer? That will throw them off.

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  84. I think the Tampa 2 can still eliminate big plays against the spread much like it does against normal offenses. It's all built on keeping the ball in front of you and sure tackling.

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  85. I'm out. wife says I need to go to work.

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  86. WTC- If we run that, I'll buy you an adult beverage.

    I think that we (RK, WTC & myself) are on the same page. I'm agreeing with what you guys are saying. I'm just ready for the darn game.

    RK- you have to show up in Knoxville, you know that I hope!

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  87. If Kodi is the passer, then I'm just going to watch the Miami/Oklahoma game.

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  88. That was very cold WERK, very cold.

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  89. More than likely I'm going to go. I dropped my car off in Dayton yesterday to get the AC fixed and picking it up on Saturday seems to be between here and Knox.

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  90. RK- We we are sending two guys deep with a shorter drag route over the middle and a RB in the flat, how does the Tampa 2 Defend?

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  91. I know, but I don't trust Kodi to run this offense, especially on the road.

    Kodi is excellent when we need 2 yards for a 1st down out of the wildcat.

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  92. It should read "If we" sorry

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  93. Kodi and the wildcat package has been great this far, except for maybe the passing aspect of it. I really like this formation in the short yardage situations.

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  94. The corners have to cover, and the FS has to be smart as to which way to lean and the SS and LB's need to be really good tacklers.

    We will create mismatches, we just have to have time to exploit them.

    Todd's jersey has stayed clean all year, but will probably see more pressure than he's seen yet.

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  95. Eddie, I love the wildcat in short yardage as well.

    However, it always looks like the second Kodi gets the ball he's falling down over himself without being hit.

    I would probably fall down in shock if Kodi breaks a long run.

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  96. RK- I agree about needing to give Chris Todd time to throw the ball. Time will come for him if we have success running the ball. That is the key to Todd being able to throw down the field. The play-action passes just freeze the defense. The TE position has been fairly quiet most of the season and I look for some real mismatches from that position.

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  97. Kodi will break a big run, sometime this season. He does run straight up at times and that's not good.

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  98. I just find it funny that Kodi was brought in as this dual threat QB and for the most part he runs 3 yards and gets knocked down.

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  99. True. Here is a very good read on Malzahn.

    Deconstructing Malzahn's Offense

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  100. AT work now, but not working much.
    i think we get the ball to Mario on the flair pass and he has to dodge the LB that is running man coverage.

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  101. I see a lot of that WTC, but if we get the running game going and force the safeties to cheat up as we have done with other teams, either the go route or deep crossing route will be open or a good man to man situation for us.

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  102. UNless the OL cannot keep the UT d off TOdd, he should be able to see many open receivers.

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  103. Morning Hotties - it's Friday. A cherished tradition in the Norm household on Friday's before gameday, with my future 4* (the one on the right in the avatar) by my side I proudly put my AU flag on display in the holder next to my front door. He then gives his best "War Eagle, Hey!" and we head back inside to start our days. It's not much, I know, but we're pretty simple folks in the Norm house.

    I look forward to continued excellent contributions from the good folks from Iowa - both of them.

    Keep Hate Alive!

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  104. Berry worries me, because Todd still occasionally floats his longer passes. Give Berry time to break on a ball in his coverage zone and he will get it.

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  105. Can anyone get the Jackson, MS station that Jay G is on this morning?

    I tried the usual link but it says the station is off the air.

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  106. RK- I got the same thing.


    JKEV- We need that link working!

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  107. Looks like we'll miss our weekly dose of hate.

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  108. And I was looking forward to discussing Guitar Hero! Just messin' with you Jay :)

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  109. It sucks to miss the hate. I enjoy my weekly dose of hate. Doesn't seem right.

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  110. Did the Iowans get to Jay G this morning? Has he been silenced?

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  111. Does anyone know if Isom's suspention will be over saturday.

    I know tenn rogan will be playing saturday, I think it wiuld be bad judgement to intentionaly hadicap ourselfs by suspending statrters for this game.

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  112. Anonymous9:14 AM

    We are alive and kicking.

    Sorry RK it is the logo.

    In Roanoke, VA getting ready to finish the journey to Knoxville.

    Check in l8r.

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  113. Jay G has been visited by the haitian from Hero's

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  114. Hatin was moved to 9:30.

    JKev messaged me earlier in the week and asked for that to be done. I didn't relay that to you all, so that's on me.

    Lemme get a new thread up.

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  115. Paulmain,

    I think it would be bad judgement to only suspend players for games you know you can win.

    It sets a bad example.

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  116. Jay G,

    It doesn't look like we'll get to listen anyway, their stream is down.

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