Wondering

I commuted Troy today and listened to some of the Auburn sports call-in show while driving thru Montgomery. Of course, every one expects Auburn to beat Arkansas State. One of the question is this: will Auburn be conservative and run the football exclusively and not show Mississippi State anything or will we see Auburn throwing the ball also? My impression is that Gus Malzahn is not a conservative offensive coordinator and he will need to see what Cam Newton can do before invading Scott Field the following Thursday night and so we will see Newton throwing the football. What can Newton under certain circumstances? He need to be ready for the pressure of a hostile environment on ESPN. Malzahn will need to test Newton. This is my theory anyway.

So Close and So Far

The first football game still feels a ways away, but the second game is just nine days away. The second game feels so close, and the season has not even started yet.

Game Week

Game week is here and the excitement starts to build. I see now that the game is on FSN South and so I may get to watch it. I expect Auburn to win the game, but I wouldn't be surprised if it isn't easy. Cam Newton will do some good things and he will make some mistakes. Michael Dyer will get into the game and will have at least one long run. The defense will give up a big play or two. I just hope it won't be more than one or two. We've read so much about Trovon Reeed. He more than Dyer is the offensive player I wish to see. I want to see how Savage and Etheridge hold up in the secondary. I want how many players make the field. Game week is here.

A Week Away

We're a week away from the start of another Auburn football season. Next week on this day I'll be sweating all day, waiting for the 6 p.m. kickoff.

At Hueytown

Last night on a lark I went out to Hueytown to see Pelham lose to the Golden Gophers 36 to 21. Once again mediocrity rules the day for the Pelham Panthers. I could tell by the posture of the players as they ran on to the field that Hueytown was the better team. They have a very good QB that Pelham cannot match. As usual Pelham will be overmatched in their region and will be lucky to have a winning season much less go to the playoffs.

Now We Know

Now we know who the #2 QB is and who will start at right tackle. I think it's good that Barrett Trotter won the job, for he is a sophomore and therefore has upside for the future.

Kind of Funny

It's kind of funny to see all the speculation on who will start in the offensive line at right tackle. I've never seen such attention paid to such a usually low profile position.

Regarding Mario Fanin

It's been fun to read about the speculation on Fanin. Meaning: everyone is wondering if he will fumble and what will the coaches do if he does fumble. It's inevitable that he will fumble the football at least once during the season. I must admit that I am not a Mario Fanin fan. He's produced very little for Auburn vs. the hype. I hope he has a banner year, but I'll believe it when I see it.

Excitement & Apprehension

The impending start of another college football season breeds both excitement and apprehension. On the one hand, here we go again, another Auburn football season of chills & spills. On the other hand, you truly don't know what to expect in that opening game, although we know much more than we did last year at this time and we have to feel much better this year than last.

I suppose we will beat Arkansas State but I am always apprehensive. Historically Auburn doesn't play particularly well in opening games. Then we'll have that quick Thurday night game in Starkville. That will be a real test.

I'm glad Cam Newton has a game we should win to get rid of the jitters. He'll need to be as polished as possible against State. On defense I just hope we see better tackling and real depth at the key positions.

The Waiting

So now it's less than 2 weeks before the start of another college football season. It will come soon enough. Let's not try to rush it.

The Difference Between Auburn & Alabama People

Alabama fans love Alabama football.
Auburn fans love Auburn.
There is a big difference.

First Football of the Year

Let the record show that I saw my first live football of the 2010 season last night. I went to Vestavia to see 3 preseason "games." Shades Vally beat Calera. Briarwood Christian beat John Carroll. And Vestavia beat the Fairfield Tigers coached by Jim Vakakis 16 to 14 in the most exciting scrimmage I may see all year. Fairfield seemd to have the game won when Vestavia went 70 yards in 22 seconds to win the game 16 to 14. I was pulling for Fairfield. Despite this outcome, Coach Vakakis has a good team. I'll be surprised if anybody beats them in their region.

The Questions

Some of the preseason questions seem to be things like who will start at right tackle, who will be the backup QB, and which of the freshmen will play. This is certainly better than the questions we faced last year with a new coaching staff. The key is still the defense. We need a significant improvement on that side of the ball.

What to Think

I read about the scrimmage last night. On the one hand I don't know what to think with, according to reports, the offense dominating so heavily. But then I've kept up with stuff long enough to know that you can't jump to any conclusions reading about preseason practice. There is no way for sure to know what is going to happen with this or any other Auburn football team before the season starts.

I Can't Wait

To see 290 lb. running Ladarius Phillips carry the football.

Trovon Reed make a big play.

Ontario McCalebb with his increased weight.

If Mike Blanc and Nick Fairly can stop everybody from running the football.

The broken field running of Cameron Newton.

The Players Report

Fall practice officially starts today when the players "report." Of course, the players are already there. This is just a formality. It's not like it was in old days when players went home for the summer, had jobs, and truly reported for fall practice.

We wonder who will start at right tackle. We wonder if Cam Newton is the real deal. How quickly will he learn the offense? Can he throw the ball downfield? What about depth in various areas?

But the biggest thing is the defense. No football team is truly good without a strong defense. This is especially true in the SEC. The offense will move the football. The offense will score points. Can the defense stop the other team from scoring? This is what I want to know.