Game of the Year in Baton Rouge

Tide prepares for the Tigers...

     Hop in the time machine and go back one year. Alabama was getting ready for what many termed the Game of the Century. The winner was going on to play in the national championship game in New Orleans. The loser might be on the outside looking in. Of course, it didn't work out that way. Bama lost 9-6 on a night including missed kicks and one intercepted pass on the goal line. Fate conjured up a way for a Bama reprieve and play LSU again. I'm not going into what the Fates had to accomplish to make that happen. It was improbable, if not downrigth impossible for Bama to get to New Orleans. But like the man said, "the ball ain't round".

     The next game was entirely different. Alabama simply played LSU out of the Parrish and out of the national championship. Domination would be inadequate to describe what Alabama did to LSU that second night. I think most fans thought that the better team didn't win the first game. Alabama proved that in game 2. Credit to Les Miles for winning the first game. LSU looked like a young bride on the way to her wedding. Then a couple of months later the sky fell down on Miles and his Tigers. LSU has had a long time to think about that game, and per the usual  SEC scheduling,  an extra week to prepare. It seems everyone has an extra week to prepare for the Tide. I heard some pundit on ESPN say that in situations like the one the Tide faces this weekend the team with the extra week wins 54% of the time. Right now the Tide is a 10 point favorite with the odds sure to drop as the week goes progresses.

     I know the Tigers are good, they are motivated, and they are at home. That is all well and good. Adrenalin is good until the first time you get knocked off your feet. That's when reality sets in. I've always thought motivation is overrated. It's not like either team wants to lose. Playing at home is important however. At least sometimes. One of those times it might not be important is when your opponent is the University of Alabama. In almost every game, in every sport, and on every occasion the better team wins. Note the almost. Nothing is 100%. No game comes with a guarantee or warranty. Who has the edge?

     LSU has the home field advantage. Bama has enjoyed a lot of success over the years in Deaf Valley. A lot of people believe that LSU has the best defense in the nation. I don't believe that, but I will acknowledge they are good and have more big play makers. Alabama's offense has to given a big edge in offense. LSU can run the ball downfield as they showed Florida.  I don't think they can dominate the Tide on the ground. I don't think Alabama's tandom of Lacy and Yeldon will dominate the Tigers either.  For just a moment let's suspend reality and say that both teams don't turn the ball over or get a lot of costly penalties. If that is the case the game comes down to ...

The Quarterbacks are key...

     I'm not sure how the LSU fans feel about Zach Mettenburger at this time. Earlier in the year he was hailed as the second coming. He was the man who would save the LSU offense and in large part why LSU got a lot of nods for pre-season #1. It hasn't worked out that way for LSU so far. Mettenburger finally played a game against Texas A&M without turnovers. I'd bet that most fans in Tigerland would say he has been a big disappointment. Gary Danielson touted him as a potential Heisman winner. His numbers have shown his struggles: 1419 yards with 7 TD passes and 4 picks. These numbers come with a team who can run the ball down your throat.

     Tiger fans believe that Mettenburger is about to have a breakout game. They think it is going to happen against Alabama's defense. You guys come on over to Blount County this Friday when I'm crowned King of England. That's about the same odds as Mettenburger beating Alabama. He was 11-29 for 97 yards against TAM. The Aggies aren't known for sound defense this season. Still, Miles is going to give him a shot to be the man. He has no other choice. I expect the Tigers to throw short passes. They may go verticle to keep Bama's corners from lining up in the Tiger's backfield in run support. I understand that anything is possible. I just don't think that a shaky quarterback is going to have field day against the Alabama defense.

     On the other side of the coin come A.J. McCarron who is very quietly putting together a All-SEC type season. He has shown a lot of poise, made good decisions when he has the ball, and his check offs have been impressive. He's not a great runner but he gets a few yards for first downs when needed. He hasn't done any McElroy one legged hops for first downs so far. He knows when to get down and protect himself. Bama's recievers have been a very pleasant surprise. Amari Cooper has been exceptional in the last few games. His injuries are getting better. He has a bad ankle but it hasn't seemed to slow him down. Kevin Norwood makes a lot of key grabs. Michael Williams has become a big time target. Eddie Lacy and Yeldon have shown they can take a check off pass and turn in some big yards after the catch. If just appears Bama has a more diversified offense which going to present some real problems for the Tiger defense. By the way, A.J. has shown he has the ability to be the man. Last year's National Championship was won on the arm of McCarron.

     I think 'Bama is going to win. No doubt I may be wrong. LSU has enough to beat Bama at home. I'm not an idiot.  But the Tigers won't beat Alabama this weekend.   LSU can let Mike the Tiger play linebacker and it won't matter. Bama by 12.

     

The Machine called Bama

State's perfect season over...

No Shame for the Bulldogs

Lester let's State know "not on us" after his timely pick...

     Mississippi State came into Tuscaloosa with a perfect season and high expectations. Most football expert picked Bama to win. That comes as no surprise. But most of those same experts thought the Bulldogs would play the Tide better than the 38-7 score indicated. State has nothing to be ashamed about, however. They Bulldogs played hard. They were simply outmatched in every area except the Tide's kicking game. Tyler Wilson is a good quarterback who may be headed for great, but the Tide's defense was just too much for his supporting crew.

          Even when State mounted their best drive it died in the hands of safety Robert Lester. Lester picked off a Wilson pass when it appeared that Alabama's first team defense might actually give up a touchdown. I bet that Les Miles will watch video of that drive all week long. It is a close to a blue print as I've seen on how to move the ball on the Big Red Wrecking Ball. Once again Alabama beat the Bulldogs. It is an old and storied rivalry that the Tide has dominated with overwhelming consistency. The Tide moves one game closer to its 15th national championship. It won't be easy. First, the LSU Tigers get ready to seek some revenge against Alabama. And then, should the Tide win that key game the high flying (and surprising) Texas A&M Aggies. LSU got their usual open date before the Tide game this week. TAM eliminated Auburn from even being called a team this season. State catches Texas A & M next weekend in a comparison game so to speak.

      It is going to be very interesting in seeing how Miles and Company will attack the Tide. One thing seems apparent. If Mettenburger hasn't suddenly found a better game I doubt the Tigers can run against the Tide with enough success for victory. I expect the Tigers to move the ball, use onside kicks, fake field goals, trick plays and the kitchen sink against Alabama. The Tigers can win the game. I have no doubt they have enough good players to win, plus playing in Deaf Valley will be big. LSU has one game left in their season, and that is Alabama. The Tigers have no chance to play in a national championship game without a win over the Tide. I think the game will be tough for Bama but in the end the diversity of Alabama's offense will make the difference.

      LSU moved up one spot to #5 in the BCS polls. 'Bama remains # 1.
 

Can Auburn survive in the SEC West in the future?

Auburn needs to consider SEC to allowing them to move East...



Can Auburn win five games this season?

     At the of the first quarter the score was 21-0. It wasn't that close. Not remotely that close This was a complete domination by SEC newcomer Texas A&M. A pall, that mimicked death, had settled over Jordon-Hare Stadium. All the pep rallies in the world were not going to help the hapless Tigers. Johnny Manziel announced to the Deep South that these Texans don't consider themselves second class citizens.  Two years after Cam Newton won a National Championship for the Auburn family the Tigers are no longer even relevant in the SEC.  This game had all the makings of an Oregon type score if the Aggies wanted to make a statement. They made one to me. The Texas A&M game which follows the LSU game is going to be tough. Make that Texas tough. I'll say this for KF. He's got some guts. He might end the season with a permanently rattled brain from all the hits he has taken. To an Alabama man it seems that letting Jonathon Wallace just take a  wildcat snap and see what happens might be the Tigers.  The score went to 28-0 before Auburn got on the board. Looking at the remaining games on the Auburn schedule it dawned on me that four wins looks like it might be it. At this point a fifth win would be real progress down there in Lee County. I don't feel sorry at all for Auburn. I have to admit that watching my Auburn friends looking like cast members from the THE WALKING DEAD is not much fun.

HERE COMES JOHNNY TOUCHDOWN...


Johnny Touchdown

     Cam Newton wasn't there for a miracle. Johnny Manziel was however. The Aggie QB is on a pace to break all of Newton's single season records for total offense.  He is only a freshman. A real freshman from Texas straight from Friday Night Lights. They call him Johnny Touchdown. The Auburn defense should call him the new god of college football. Has anyone seen a better first year player in the SEC. The only man that comes to my mind is Herschel Walker. Manzeil ran over, around, and through the Tiger defense.  By the way, he is also a great passer. I can't imagine what this kid is going to be like before he leaves for the NFL. In the first half the Aggie quarterback had two touchdown passes and ran for two more touchdowns. Of course, the Tigers did their part to make him look great. Auburn is finished this season. Gene Chizik drew boos from his Auburn family, particularly when the Tigers left an Aggie wide out undefended. It was like the old water bucket play without the bucket. Actually, the Tigers offense showed some life. They at least moved the ball well enough to keep the A&M offense on the bench. What I really noticed was how Auburn moved the ball on the ground against the center of the Aggie defensive front.  I'm sure ever Tide fan in America saw it as well. The only question regarding Auburn was - how many points was the Auburn defense going to surrender before the half. That number ended up being 42 when a last second field goal was wide. A&M had 464 yards in total offense. The Tigers had 91. You had to wonder if anyone would be left in the stadium to see whatever carnage the Aggies had saved up for half two.


HORRIBLE AND GETTING WORSE...

Tough Times for Aubie

     In the second half the Aggies played a lot of subs, and lowered the thermostat. Both teams scored 14 points in the third quarter. The Corp added 7 more in the fourth quarter. Mercifully, the game ended.  Pat Dye was quoted saying the Tigers were finished this season because they had problems that couldn't be fixed. I know that makes the Tiger players feel better.  Function has given way to dysfunction in the Loveliest Village. Progress has turned into a swamp of problems. So once again Auburn has been to the top and has tumulted into the abyss. There was once a day when 21 points would almost insure an Auburn win. Any SEC team allowing 63 points seems improbable. The fact is was Auburn makes it seem impossible. So Alabama fans will rejoice about beating State. The will also take some measure of joy in seeing an Auburn beat down by Texas A&M. Once again has shown us the difference between a truly great program and one that just can't consistently inhale the rarefied air of football excellence.

     When you look into the foreseeable future the Tigers may be cellar dwellers for sometime. Perhaps  moving  to  the East might help. That would get Missouri into the West, and geography would be a better fit. When your defense gives up 671 on defense you need to do something.

Back to TiderInsider

    

Hard not to like the Tide in Tuscaloosa...

State looks improved but...

     Let's not joke ourselves. If I asked a room of football fans who actually believes that State can defeat the Alabama Crimson Tide to raise a hand - I doubt I'd see a single digit. However; this year, State comes to Tuscaloosa undefeated. The Bulldogs are 7-0 and 23 point underdogs. How often are nationally ranked and undefeated teams more than a 3 touchdown dog?  That's the position that State finds itself facing. A lot of fans are saying that the Bullies are are very overrated. Look at their record and you a hard pressed to find a quality win. If pushed to find one I guess I'd say Tennessee. That's the same Tennessee team that was reduced to an Orange Julius. I'll be the first to say than Dan Mullins has done a great job with State this season. Just to hear that State is 7-0 sounds odd. Mullins has raised the level of Mississippi State football to a level that didn't seem possible to this writer. It takes hard work and maybe a little magic to win 7 games in a season in Starkville, much less to start the season. The Bulldogs have beaten Kentucky and Auburn so far in their field of dream year so far. A win over Alabama would make Dan Mullins a huge favorite for SEC Coach of the Year.  The problem is that State isn't going to beat the Tide. I expect them to play hard, move the ball some, but eventually find themselves a big maroon blob at game's end. I grew up in Mississippi.  I was an Ole Miss fan but you always had to give State kudos for toughness. The dogs still have that toughness and a great deal of talent as running mate. For the record that makes 9 in a row for State, the nation's third longest win streak.

Great defensive backs for the dogs...

     State has two big time corner backs. Either would start for Alabama in my opinion.  Jonathon Banks, an All-American a sure first round NFL is the bell cow of the defense. Darius Slay at the opposite corner gives State the best 1-2 punch in the SEC. Slay isn't mentioned as often as Banks but should be. the pair will have to see if they can stop the Crimson Tide passing game, and give much needed run support. Banks in particular has been effective in offering run support this year. He'll have his hands full on Saturday. At the same time, the pair will have to find a way to shut down a explosive Tide passing attack. Amari Cooper has given early notice of his stardom. Kenny Bell is faster than light, and Kevin Norwood catches anything thrown his way. Michael Williams makes some key catches from his tight end position when he's not sealing the corner for Crimson Tide running backs. This is probably the best skill set of Tide receivers since Saban arrived. Cooper has Tide fans buzzing about his explosive performances after finally overcoming an early season injury.

Quarterback position is more than solid in Starkville...

     Russell Tyler has been the grease that oils the Bulldog offense this season. Finally, it seems, Mississippi State has a signal caller who has poise, the arm, and the desire to be a big time winner. There is no doubt that the junior from Meridian has added some much needed punch and consistency to the State offense. He's thrown for almost 1600 yards, 15 td's and has only one pick. He is the best quarterback the Tide has faced this season as a pure thrower in my opinion. He also seems to have that something in much the same manner as A.J. McCarron. This could end up being a quarterback game and both sides have good ones. alabama is going to have find some answers with a so-so sack defense. The Tide has caused a lot of hurried throws, but nothing like one good solid bell ringer to let the Tyler know where he is playing.

      This is going to be a competitive game for a while. Probably longer than Tide fans hope it will be, in fact. Will the Tide find this a trap game with LSU at home preparing for a Crimson visit next weekend. Of course, the Tigers may be discussing who gets dragged into the Honey badger den of sin next. I like Bama by 21 points. Lets say 35-14.

Reverse to Tider Insider

Time for Annual Tennessee Thumping...

If it is October it's time to beat the Vols...

      Well, it's that time of the year - leaves turning crimson, a little chilly at night, clear bright days, and the howling of 'Ol Smokey as his Tennessee Vols take another beating. In other words, it's the third weekend in October. Alabama and Tennessee get ready for their annual blood letting. Nothing sucks like a Big Orange. In all honesty the Vols are an honored foe. To older fans, the game is still bigger than Auburn. It is for me. It's a much better rivalry than Auburn because the games are hard fought but no hatred abounds on the part of Alabama. You have to remember this is Tennessee's biggest game of the season. On top of that Derrick Dooley may be coaching his last game if the contest gets one sided. On the other hand, a 'Vol win might save his career.  Here's all we need to know. It is Alabama. It is Tennessee.

     Most pundits give Bama the edge. It is a pretty big edge considering  the game is being played in Knoxville. The Tide is a 20 point favorite. It seems to be a pretty stiff number considering the Vols improved running game, and Bama's untested young secondary. Over the decades this has been the game that measured the best team Dixie had to offer. The Vols have been down for a while, but it in no ways takes away the glow of a historical rivalry. The glow of this game will likely be determined by two things. Will Bama's offensive line dominate Tennessee, and can the Bama nickle and dime packages show poise and confidence despite youthfulness.

     I think the Tide will win, but it won't be easy, and the line may not be covered. Bama 28 Tennesse 10.


Click here for a quick opener back to Tiderinsider

MISSOURI NOT READY FOR THE SEC...

      I know that St. Louis has a large television market.  They have the Rams and Cardinals. They are the Gateway to the West. All in all it is a great city. What they don't have is a love for college football.  Columbia, home of the Missouri Tigers, is not exactly in the middle of nowhere, but you can see the edge of the abyss from Campus. Why the SEC thought that Missouri was a good place to take SEC football is beyond me. Watching the Alabama vs. Missouri game was striking proof that the Tigers are not ready to play SEC football. All they need is a real stadium, a real strength program, and a stadium worthy of the SEC. I'm not saying that the Tigers could have all those things one day. But why did the SEC lower its brand by picking a place like Missouri. I think of Missouri and am reminded of Todd Akin. If Tennessee gets some joking about hillbilly country what does Missouri get?  We just bought this older Class C Motor home. It gets around 14 miles a gallon. I'm told that is really pretty good gas mileage.

'Bama dominates Missouri...

   

                The official stats will read: Missouri rushing 3 yards. That small number was offset by -50 yards in sacks by an Alabama defense, who reeked havoc all afternoon in the Missouri backfield. A couple of kicking game mistakes by the Tide allowed the Tigers to put 10 points on the scoreboard. Welcome to the SEC. Missouri showed a few things they might need to change in the future. First, get more football players. Second, you might want to consider building a real football stadium, and a good weight program might help. Granted, the Tigers showed grit and heart. In the SEC grit and heart won't even beat Vanderbilt. If you can't beat Vandy almost every year you have some real problems. Those of us who know basketball realize you are really a basketball school. A lot of other SEC schools will come to realize that pretty soon. Except for Kentucky, basketball is really considered a sport by a lot of Southeastern football fans. In football, Missou is about as close to being a competitive football team as Moldavia is being a world superpower.

          In the ranking of whose good and whose not you guys are high up in the not column. At least the SEC put you in the Eastern Division. This means you might have an annual chance for a win against Kentucky in football. Unless you can find a few million dollars to outbid the Wildcats for basketball recruits you won't beat them the ponzi scheme known as Kentucky basketball however.

AUBURN FALLS TO 1-5 AFTER LOSS TO OLE MISS

Ole Miss gets much needed SEC win over hapless AU...

       Auburn played better than they did against Arkansas.  Better wasn't good enough. Late in the 4th quarter Bo Wallace threw a short pass all purpose back Jeff Scott. It didn't seem like much.  After Auburn defenders let the scat back roll over two tacklers it was deja vue all over again. Scott was tackled but never hit the ground. 56 yards later it was a Rebel touchdown, the fat lady sang, and Stan White jumped out of the press box. Somewhere Michael Dyer must have laughed at loud.

        Ole Miss fans will remember the Rebels last beat another SEC team on October 2, 2010. For the record it was Kentucky. There are toddlers who have learned to walk since that game. The for one team is over. You have to wonder if another drought might be beginning for a different team? I wonder how long it has been since an Auburn team lost to Ole Miss and Vanderbilt in the same season?  Stay tuned. It might just happen next weekend.  Since the Auburn national championship game against Oregon the Tigers have a 9-11 SEC record. Oh my, what's a Tiger to do? I frankly have no idea but I bet it will involve a lot of finger pointing, back stabbing, and a healthy dose of second guessing.

       Auburn may have ended the Frazier experiment at quarterback. Clint Moseley brought the Tigers back to take a brief lead in the first half. That was it. Auburn just doesn't have good enough offensive or defensive line to win consistently in the SEC. Their runnng backs give good effort. The linebackers play hard. I'd find it hard to conjure up more than 2 more wins for the Tigers. That would mean a 3 win season. It should mean the end of Gene Chizik. At least 2 high profile recruits have considered opening up the visitations process again. The end hasn't arrived for Auburn but all the elements are in place for a decade long collapse on the Plains. A lot of things can happen to Auburn right now, and not a single one seems good. Perhaps the worst of all would be the full time return of Dr. Doom a/k/a Paul Finebaum. Paul smells a story here in the midst of all the Tiger turmoil. I wonder if it is the same one I sense. It's not the end of Gene Chizik. Is it the end of the Pat Dye era at Auburn? 41-20 isn't going to go over well with anyone on the Plains. You might be able to spin a close loss. No spinning this one - the Tigers about as bad as a team can play. Playing worse than that will come later this season.


TiderInsider Return

Around the SEC ...

Some good teams, but mediocrity abounds...

     Let's start with the good. Alabama, South Carolina, and Florida are separating themselves from the rabid pack named the SEC. Mississippi State is undefeated. Texas A&M has been a surprise to many but those guys were playing big time football before jumping to the SEC. The Texas school has one loss as does Eastern Bully Boy Georgia. Why is it that the one loss of A&M seems a lot more acceptable than the Georgia loss?  Georgia didn't look competitive against South Carolina. USC just line up and slammed the ball down the Bulldogs interior. That insured a Carolina win and continued the belief that Mark Richt simply can't get the Bulldogs over the hump into the elite. Then there is LSU. The defensive juggernaut was a preseason number one selection and had a ne quarterback who would deliver them to the promise land. So far, Mettenburger is been missing in big games. But most surprising is how easy it appeared for for Florida to run roughshod over, around, and through the Tigers. I also think the Tigers could have some leadership problems.  Mettenburger might not be able to get the job done. Mississppi State has starting to show signs of being the real deal. The Bulldogs are tough on both sides of the ball. Look for State to pull off at least one stunner before the season is over.

Auburn has become a punch line for bad jokes...

     What has  happened to Arkansas has been surprising. In retrospect, you could see a lot of their problems lurking below the surface. John L. Smith is doing his best, but the Razorbacks have a ton of problems. Having an All-SEC Quarterback publically doubting his team's heart is one of them. Motivation might be the worst problem of all. Despite all the stumbling and bumbling from Fayetteville found a glimmer of light when the 'Hogs went to Auburn and dominated the Tigers. That may be good news for Arkansas but where does that leave Auburn?  It seems like the Tigers have crashed and burned already. Turning around the Tiger season around is highly unlikely. Auburn is not not selling out Jordon-Hare Stadium, the airwaves are full of descriptive stories about how bad Gene Chizek's coaching really has become. I wrote an article earlier suggesting the earlier success was due to Cam Newton and a bunch of seniors. That now appears to be true. Despite talent level being up overall on the Plains, the Tigers are an embarrasment to themselves. ust two seasons off a national championship the War Eagles have become a national joke. Auburn fans, good people, are hurting. And now, perhaps the cruelest cut off all awaits the blue and orange. the Tigers go to Ole Miss as 5 point underdogs. Maybe the Tigers can pull out a win but that game seems to a clash of teams going opposite directions. Hugh Freeze might be the man to bring the Rebels back to glory. I'll say this, the Johnnie Rebs can clock your butt. They also run more plays than any team I've ever seen. Not good for a defense that seems confused at best. At least one Alabama player told me they are the hardest hitting team he's played against in three seasons.

Is South Carolina that Good...

        Steve Spurrier is the master of the understatement and the overstatement of arrogance. God help all of us how bad will he become if the Gamecocks win the SEC West? This weekend USC heads to Baton Rouge for a very interesting ball game. If Carolina can go into Deaf Valley they may are the real deal. LSU will have their backs to the wall. Carolina's defense is very, very good. LSU is a 3 point favorite. This is a make or break game for the Bayou Bengals. Any chance for playing for a national championship or even an SEC crown will be over if the Tigers lose. I'm thinking a low scoring game. LSU has a ton of good running backs, and the Gamecocks have Marcus Lattimore. Lattimore is a great quarterback. Conner Shaw is going to the best signal caller on the field. Don't be the least bit surprised if USC beats the Tigers on the road.  

     Mississippi State is a 3 point favorite over Tennessee. You have to feel good for the Bulldogs. The perenially lapdog has become a much bigger dog this season. Good quarterbacking and a steady defense has made the Bulldogs dark horse is someone stumbles on the way to Atlanta. The Dogs might now win the SEC but they will have a say in who does. Derrick Dooley, whose wife probably spends a lot of time on the web looking at new homes somewhere else, has his back against the wall. The question is whether he will last the season or not. I think it is a dead even bet whether Dooley or Chizik leaves the SEC first.



Back to the Forums
    

TIGERS ARE COMING UNGLUED...

like a cheap suit...

     The Auburn Tigers are falling apart at the seams.  It must have been Cam. That's the only conclusion of any rational football fan can reach. If you live north of Auburn and look outside the sky is filled with the smokey remains of the Auburn football program. Yep, it must have been Cam. 

        Now, most Alabama fans are not the least bit concerned when the Auburn loses to anyone. Tide fans should be very worried. AU fan's are calling for Gene Chizik's head. Toomer's Corner wasn't rolled today; but a hangman's noose was seen swaying from the lowest living branch of the old oak tree.  John L. Smith brought the tattered remains of an Arkansas 11 into Lee County and whipped the Tigers in a game which might cement an Auburn claim to the worst team in the SEC.  Two seasons removed from a National Championship the Tiger is no longer burning bright. The program is in flames as it burns to the ground.  No doubt, it must have been Cam. Even though the Tigers have  had three excellent recruiting classes it hasn't been enough. Last season Auburn stumbled but did not quite fall.  Now they have fallen flat on their face and can't get up. If you are an AU fan you have one game left in the season, and a ton of week's to put in a game plan for ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE'S  talented football team.  That probably won't be enough time to beat the Tide. Cam isn't coming this time.  

       Pat Dye says Gene's job is safe. He'd rather have a fine man like Chizik instead of "that coach in Tuscaloosa".  In one radio interview with Paul Finebaum Dye managed to insinuate Nick Saban's character and coaching ability.  Why should Alabama fans be worried about the Tiger's season?  It is entirely possible that Chizik might be replaced. More than anyone else in TigerTown, Pat Dye knows it was Cam. Highly recruited quarterback, Kiehl, hasn't been the man. Neither has Clint Moseley.  Frazier is much more mobile than Moseley. So far that means that Frazier can get sacked anywhere he runs, and Moseley just sticks to one spot. I do not claim to be the greatest observer of college football. But I know bad when I see it occur.  In all fairness to the Tigers their offensive line is young. The defense isn't young. The line can't block and the defenders can't tackle. Auburn is now 1-4, and frankly were lucky to get the 1. This is an excellent time for the SEC to consider moving to the East and allowing Missou to play in the West. This season, regardless of where the Tigers might play, they would last in their division. What has happened to the Tigers has gone from a dream to a nightmare. I doubt they will be able to pick themselves for years to come. 

Back to TiderInsider

Auburn at Arkansas could be fun or funny...

 

         Having an open week does have an upside. It means that Tide fans have a chance to watch other games. For a lot of Alabama fans that will mean watching Auburn at Arkansas. Here is a game that will official determine who is the worst team in the SEC West. Don't count Ole Miss out yet, but the Rebels are showing some signs of life again. It seems almost impossible to understand how far each of these programs have fallen. Two years ago the Tigers won a National Championship. Arkansas was a pre-season darling of the media, and given a real chance of winning the West.  A funny thing happened on the way to the next championship game however; Auburn can't win without Cam Newton, and it appears that Arkansas can't win without Bobby Petrino. Both teams seem to have hit the bottom of barrel.
 

Tide fans will likely pull for Arkansas...

 

       Most Tide fans will pull for Arkansas. The old saying that my two favorite teams are Alabama, and whoever is playing Auburn isn't a lie.  Tide fans have no love lost for the Tigers.  In my opinion most Alabama fans don't even think about Arkansas. They are kind of an after thought. They aspire to be elite but always fall short. Auburn had a great season but just can't keep the wheels on the bus. So on a fall afternoon in early October,  two SEC West teams will play to find out who has managed to take their program to total humiliation. Some programs struggle, a few stumble, but these two programs are doing belly flops off the high dive, and each team is doing a great job in creating a negative splash. Auburn's offense is ranked 117 out of 121 teams in Division I football. The Arkansas team looks like a team just falling apart in real time before our eyes. On a better note, Arkansas fans have John L. Smith to provide a little live entertainment. Auburn fans are stunned, and probably have every right to be so. In Alabama you have seen the best of the best. Now get ready to see the  rest.

 

What's up with Georgia giving up all those points...

     Florida, Georgia, or South Carolina?  Who is going to win the East? A lot of fans believe this is the year of the dog. Tennessee scored 44 points on the road against Georgia. How many of you think a real contender can give up that many points and be seriously considered? Couple that fact with Georgia's never ending tendency to lose games they should win, and their poor defense will catch up with them in the end. South Carolina continues to win. Marcus Lattimore is off to a red hot start and Conner Shaw at quarterback give the Gamecocks a shot at winning every game they play. South Carolina plays defense well enough to not embarrass themselves. Whether they can continue to give up only 11 points a game remains to be seen. Up next for Spurrier's team is  LSU and a win seemed unlikely when the season started. South Carolina has an extra week to prepare. I thought that LSU would blast South Carolina right out of Deaf Valley.  The Bayou Bengals have been underwhelming to say the least. Mettenburg has been very disappointing. He has talent. They have all the pieces to be a great team. Without a really good quarterback it won't happen. Teams will put nine in the box and let Mettenburger try to beat you. When you struggle against Towson State you've got problems. Don't be surprised if the Gamecocks pull off the mild upset. That brings us to Florida. I think the 'Gators have been the surprise team in SEC East. You can't say that Florida has dominated any team they have played except for Kentucky. But they are getting some good quarterback play. I think we'll know a lot more about Florida after this weekend's trip to Baton Rouge.

So far it seems that Bama is the best team in the SEC. The only team that I have seen that might give the Tide a test is Oregon. The Ducks are explosive on offense, but their improved defense has been a big surprise.




Back to TiderInsider