These Kind of Games

What I hate about these kind of games where Auburn is a big favorite is that more than often than in recent years we play down to the opposition rather than putting the game away and then substituting. After three straight emotional games I am convinced that Auburn will come out at 11 a.m. not ready to play and it will again be the second half before we win the game, and hopefully we will win the game.

Is Cam Newton a Heisman Candidate?

If so, I'm happy for Newton. But I have bad memories of when Pat Sullivan and Bo Jackson won the Heisman. It was a big distraction and I did not like it for the team's sake. Good for the player, and you have to be happy for him, but it can be bad for the team in my opinion. Yet it's good no doubt good for Auburn University.

The South Carolina Game - Conclusion

It was great to be in Auburn for the game. It was great to visit with old friends. The best is that we won the game. We will long remember this 35 to 27 win over Steve Spurrier.

An old adage is that the key to winning a football game is to run the football and stop the other team from running football. Mission accomplished Saturday night at Jordan Hare. Auburn rushed for 334 yards. That is amazing! Newton had 176 and Dyer 100

USC turned the ball over 4 times in the second half. Auburn won the turnove battle.

Those two things alone almost always guarantee victory.

Auburn scored promptly on its first possession on a long run by QB Cameron Newton, but the Tigers found themselves trailing 20 to 14 at the half. The Tigers went up 21 to 20 only to surrender the lead on South Carolina's next possession thanks to giving up a long pass to a wide-open receiver in the middle of the field. Auburn misses a FG as the ball hits the upright, but we get the ball back on a fumble and go up 28 to 27. Then 35 to 27 leading to USC's last gasp pass into the end zone being picked off by Demond Washington.

We continue to see some missed tackes though maybe not as many as before. We see am improving Cam Newton. Mike Dyer is starting to run with authority. So far I would say that this team has improved from week to week.

Next comes La-Monroe with an ESPN 11:00 a.m. kickoff.

Pick 'Em (4)

Pick the winner. Home team in CAPS.

1. South Carolina at AUBURN* (3)
2. Alabama (7)* at ARKANSAS
3. UAB at TENNESSEE* (14)
4. Georgia at MISSISSIPPI STATE* (2)
5. Fresno State at OLE MISS* (2)
6. West Virginia at LSU* (7)
7. Kentucky at FLORIDA* (14)
8. Stanford (3.5)* at NOTRE DAME
9. Arkansas State at TROY (12.5)*
10.Oregon State at BOISE STATE (16.5)*
11.UCLA* at TEXAS (16.5)
12.North Carolina (2.5) at RUTGERS*

Fred's Picks
1. Auburn*
2. Alabama*
3. Tennessee*
4. Georgia
5. Fresno State
6. LSU*
7. Florida*
8. Notre Dame
9. Troy*
10.Boise State*
11.Texas
12.North Carolina

Moyna's Picks
1. Auburn*
2. Alabama*
3. Tennessee*
4. Georgia
5. Ole Miss*
6. LSU*
7. Troy*
8. Stanford*
9. Arkansas State
10.Boise State*
11.Texas
12.Rutgers*

Freddy's Picks

1. Auburn*
2. Arkansas
3. Tennessee*
4. Georgia
5. Fresno State
6. LSU*
7. Florida*
8. Notre Dame
9. Troy*
10.Boise State*
11.Texas
12.North Carolina

The South Carolina Game

Auburn is a 3-point favorite in this battle of 3 & 0 teams at Jordan-Hare. South Carolina has looked good so far. Their freshman running back Marcus Lattimore looks like the real deal. Nobody knows what will happen in this game. Who would have thought that Clemson would jump out to a 17 to 0 lead? Who could have predicted that Auburn's third quarter burst would be the difference in that game?

Will Auburn come out flat after a gut-wrenching and physical game last week whereas USC had an easy game with Furman? Can we stop Lattimore and force their QB Garcia win the game for them? Many people would doubt that Garcia can win a big game. Will Auburn's secondary get its first interception? Will Auburn get running production from the RB position?

You can point to different things, but again, nobody knows what will happen in this game.

What I Think

After reading the post below, I realize that ours is a rhythm offense and it'e either in sync or it's not. It's awesome in sync; it can look awful out of sync. Coach Roof says they got the tackling fixed in the second half against Clemson. That sounds strange to me. Either the defensive players have been properly coached in correct tackling all along or they have not. How do you fix that in one half?

From Phillip Marshall

Malzahn, Roof share their thoughts on AU victory (includes videos)
By Phillip Marshall, Senior Editor
Posted Sep 19, 2010
Copyright © 2010 AuburnUndercover.com



Defensive coordinator Ted Roof talks after Saturday's victory over Clemson/Phillip Marshall
AUBURN – In the first half Saturday, Auburn offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn kept looking for answers and kept coming up empty.

He found lots of answers in the second half as the Tigers scored 24 unanswered points en route to a 27-24 overtime victory over Clemson.

“We were awful in the first half,” Malzahn said. “We had penalties, ugly football. The third quarter we got in a rhythm, made some plays and looked like ourselves.”

The Tigers were three-and-out on their first three possessions. They had 8 yards total offense in the first quarter and didn’t make a first down until near the 7-minute mark of the second quarter. After falling behind 17-0, they finally put together a drive that led to a Wes Byrum field goal on the final play of the half.

“We couldn’t speed things up in the first half because we didn’t make any first downs until the very end,” Malzahn said. “We’re a rhythm offense. When we’re in a rhythm, we’re pretty solid. When we’re not, we’re not that solid.”

The second half, the offense Malzahn expected to see from the start returned.

“We figured out how they were playing certain sets and certain situations,” Malzahn said. “When we got in a rhythm in the second half, we looked like our offense. When we are at our best, we get first downs, first downs, big play.”

For defensive coordinator Ted Roof, the story was similar. First-half struggles were replaced by second-half success.

“Right now, we’re getting everybody’s best shot,” Roof said. “We got Mississippi State’s best shot and tonight we got Clemson’s best shot. They hadn’t had to show a lot of things (in the first two games). They had some new things our kids had to make adjustments to. I thought they did a nice job making adjustments in the second half.

“I thought we missed too many tackles. We have to get that cleaned up. It was a physical, physical football game. I thought both teams really played hard.”

The tackling problems were dealt with, Roof said, in the second half.

“We tackled well last week,” Roof said. “We didn’t tackle as well in the first half this week. The second half, I thought we did tackle well.”

The Clemson Game

It's been tough this week thinking about this game because I can't get a feel for it---can't get a feel for Clemson. Just have no idea how good they are. That Chick-Fil-A Bowl seems like a football lifetime ago. Both teams have changed coaches since then. Both teams are 2 & 0. The game is on ESPN with a 6 o'clock kickoff. Fans are supposed to wear blue. The stadium certainly looks different with blue instead of orange. There were internet rumors this week that Auburn would wear blue pants. Ain't so! The Tigers are a 6-point favorite at home.

FIRST QUARTER

Clemson wins the toss. The orange and purple Tigers will receive.

Clemson mounts a drive starting from their 24 running the football. This is not good if it continues. Clemson is being physical and beating AU at the line of scrimmage. From the Auburn 8 a shovel pass works, there is poor tackling as Craig Stevens misses the tackle at the line of scrimmage, and Clemson takes the opening possession and rams the ball down our gut. Our defense is not there. There was nothing fancy about that drive. It was physical running and Auburn could not stop it. This is the worst start imaginable if we can't stop the run. Clemson looks good or our defense looks terrible. Or both. The drive took 6:01.

Clemson 7 Auburn 0

Auburn starts at their 31.
The possession starts slowly as there are clock problems.
The Tigers are 3 & out.
The offense starts terrible also.

After the punt, Clemson starts on their 22.
This game is not starting well at all.
The defense desperately needs to stop Clemson here.
Last time Clemson made big plays off a screen and a draw. Quentin Riggins says that a rusty Craig Stevens missed two tacles that would have made a difference. Clemson goes three and out. Good!

Auburn starts on their 39.
Time is being kept on the field.
McCalebb loses 6 on the first play. Bad!
A long pass attempt to Adams goes incomplete.
A long run by Newton for the first down is called back for holding.
Auburn is 3rd and 25 and then 3 and out from the 34 and Auburn has to punt after two straight 3 and outs.

Clemson starts at their 30 leading 7 to 0 movong toward the end of the first quarter.
Auburn has 8 total yards so far.
Our defense makes a good play but then Clemson comes back with a good play.
Clemson is moving the ball again.
Stan White mentions again that Craig Stevens makes a miscue.
We are substituting a lot on defense.
On a 3rd and 8 at the Auburn 40 for Clemson the first quarter ends.
The first quarter is horrible. At least we are only down by one score.

END OF FIRST QUARTER
Clemson 7 Auburn 0

SECOND QUARTER

A complete pass leaves Clemson a yard short of the first.
Clemson continues to make the crucial plays to keep drives going.
So far it's been total stat dominiation for the visitors.
On 4th and 1 Auburn holds! Big defensive stop for Auburn.

Trovon Reed makes his first appearance of the the year in the Wildcat.
He runs up the middle for about 6 yards.
BUT that's it. Auburn is 3 and out again.

After the punt Clemson starts at their 23.
Auburn's defense is quickly back on the field again.
The offense has yet to pick up a first down.
It's hard to see at this point how Auburn can turn things around.
Clemson is picking the AU defense apart. Miscues by Craig Stevens. Our offense cannot get unwound.
Down the field they go.
This is disappointing.
Clemson makes the 3rd down conversions. They seem so smooth and polished compared to Auburn.
Clemson makes a 42-yd. FG.

Clemson 10 Auburn 0

So far Auburn has run 9 plsys for 16 total yards.
We know this offense can do better. Where is our offense tonight.
The Tigers start on their 18.
Dyer is dropped for a yard loss.
Clemson is pushing Auburn around.
Dyer carries for 3.
On 3rd and 8 Newton gets the first down pass to Darvin Adams.
McCalebb runs for 17.
Auburn is at the Clemson 40.
A holding call by the ACC officials against AJ Green negates our drive after we get inside the Clemson 20.
Auburn has to punt.
Let us note that on our third possession we move the ball but a holding penalty puts a stop to it.

Clemson starts on their 20 with 5:10 leading 10 to 0.
Clemson has success with a naked bootleg pass to their big tight end.
Clemson has 3rd and 8 on their own 48.
Pass incomplete!
Clemson punts.

Auburn starts on their 20 with 3:08 left in the half.
First down on the 30.
Clemson goes up over Kodi Burns and intercepts at their 39.
Burns was open but Newton doesn't gun the ball but floats it up for the pick.

Clemson starts down the field. Our defense yields. Poor coaching it seems to me. Our defense is playing soft. No reason for it.
Stan White harps on how far off our DBs are playing.
Clemson gets a TD pass on a great catch by the Clemson receiver.

Clemson 17 Auburn 0

Clemson has come into Jordan-Hare and belted Auburn in the first half. There is no excuse for this. It seems to me that Clemson came to play and Auburn did not come to play. With 1:14 to play in the half, Clemson is in complete control. This is a disaster. This is the gut-check of all gut-checks now for Auburn.

Auburn starts on their 30.
We pick up our 3rd holding call of the game.
Auburn's offensive line is getting whipped.
We push the ball down to the Clemson 17.
Byrum makes the FG.

END OF HALF
Clemson 17 Auburn 3

SECOND HALF

After a good runback and a facemask penalty, Auburn starts on their 45.
There is another holding penalty. That makes 4 so far. Amazing.
A long pass to Adams and Auburn is at the Clemson 30.
But on the next pass Newton throws an interception at the goal line!
Another tough break I suppose.

Clemson starts at their 1.
A late hit and Clemson gets 15 free yards.
Clemson is on their 17.
Clemson is 3rd and 9.
Auburn holds.

Auburn starts at their 39.
Trvon runs for 2 in the Wildcat.
Newton hits Adams at the Clemson 18.
McCalebb runs it in from the 12.
Auburn comes back with 8:24 left in the third.
Maybe we've got a ballgame now.

Clemson 17 Auburn 10

Clemson is on their 32.
Our defense holds and Clemson punts.

Auburn starts from their 27 with a little over 6 minutes to go in the third.
The Tigers drive with gashing runs by Dyer and a TD pass from Newton to Adams for the score!
The game is tied!!!
Darvin Adams has EVERY completed pass on the night.

Auburn 17 Clemson 17

Clemson starts from their 20.
A run out to the 42 after an incomplete pass.
Antoine Carter is down but runs off the field.
Incomplete pass. Clemson has to punt.

Carr goes down at the Auburn 16 with 1:41 left in the third.
Newton hits Zachary on z 73-yd. scoring pass!
2 plays. 83 yards. 38 seconds.

Auburn 24 Clemson 17

Clemson starts on their 23.
A bad interference call on Washington gives Clemson good field position.
Clemson is at midfield.

END OF THIRD QUARTER
Auburn 24 Clemson 17

The third quarter was a complete turnaround from the first half. Auburn has scored 24 straight points. But thanks to a bad, bad interference call on Demond Washington, Clemson is at midfield to start the 4th quarter.

FOURTH QUARTER

Clemson responds to Auburn's momentum with a touchdown drive, climaxed by a 2-yd. run, helped by two interference calls.

Auburn 24 Clemson 24

With 12:36 to go, Auburn starts from their 21.
Auburn is 3 and out. Our offense looks discombobulated once again. It's like night and day with this offense. They look great, and then they look awful and uncoordinated.
The Tigers have totally given the momentum back to Clemson.
It looks like the game will end with Clemson taking back control.

Shoemaker manages only a 29-yd. punt. You just can't have that.
Clemson is at their 48.
Fairly gets a big sack on third down and Clemson punts.

Auburn starts on their 16 with 8:12 to go.
The Tigers punt from the Clemson 43.

With 4:18 to go Clemson is at their 9.
Clemson has to punt from close to midfield.

Carr makes a 5-yd. return to the 13.
How will Auburn play it from their 13 with a little over a minute to go and the score tied.
The Tigers play for overtime. Probably good strategy.
The last time in Atlanta we had overtime. Here we go again.

END OF REGULATION
Auburn 24 Clemson 24

Who knows how this will end? I can't tell.

OVERTIME

Clemson wins the toss and goes on defense first.
Auburn kicks the 39-yd. FG after the offense can't move the ball.

Auburn 27 Clemson 24

Clemson dominates the line of scrimmage in their possession.
Clemson plays smash-mouth football and betters Auburn.
For most of the game Clemson has won the game in the trenches.
Clemson is 2nd and 6 on the 8. Play stops for a Clemson injury.
There is NO way this defense can hold Clemson.
No gain.
3rd down at the 8.
Pass incomplete to an open receiver. Clemson had the win on that pass.
On the first FG attempt, Clemson is guilty of a double snap.
On the second FG attempt, Clemson misses!!! Auburn wins!!!

FINAL SCORE

Auburn 27 Clemson 24

Pick 'Em (3)

Pick the winner. Home team in CAPS

1. Clemson at AUBURN (6)
2. Alabama (22) at DUKE
3. Arkansas (3) at GEORGIA
4. Vanderbilt at OLE MISS (13)
5. Brigham Young at FLORIDA STATE (9)
6. Florida (15) at TENNESSEE
7. Troy (4) at UAB
8. Mississippi State at LSU (8 1/2)
9. Notre Dame at MICHIGAN STATE (3)
10. Texas (4) at TEXAS TECH
11. La. Monroe @ARKANSAS STATE (3)
12. Air Force at OKLAHOMA (18)

Fred's Picks

1. Auburn
2. Alabama
3. Georgia
4. Ole Miss
5. FSU
6. Florida
7. Troy
8. LSU
9. Notre Dame
10.Texas Tech
11.Arkansas State
12.Oklahoma

Moyna's Picks

1. Auburn
2. Alabama
3. ARkansas
4. Ole Miss
5. FSU
6. Florida
7. Troy
8. LSU
9. MSU
10.Texas
11.Arkansas State
12.Oklahoma

Freddy's Picks

1. Auburn
2. Alabama
3. Arkansas
4. Ole Miss
5. Florida State
6. Florida
7. Troy
8. Mississippi State
9. Notre Dame
10.Texas
11.Arkansas State
12.Oklahoma

About Clemson

I wish I knew more about Clemson. Didn't they go the ACC championship game last year and lose? What kind of offense do they run? I really know nothing about them.

The Tigers are Favored

I see that AU is about a 6-point favorite against Clemson. This is greater than I would have thought.

The South Carolina Game

Will be on ESPN at 6:45.

Week Two Results

For the week:

Freddy 10-2
Moyna 9-3
Fred 7-5
(See prior post for results)

Cumulative

Freddy 20-4
Moyna 20-4
Fred 18-6

Mt. Brook Over Pelham

I see Mountain Brook dominate Pelham 35 to 7. What can I say? Mt. Brook has a superior team. Pelham is 1 & 2 with a win over cross-town rival Oak Mountain and losses to Hueytown and Mt. Brook. This team will not make the playoffs. The region is too strong for the Panthers.

My Questions Answered

From my previous post.

No, it was not a track meet but an old fashioned SEC defensive struggle.
Yes, Cam Newton is the real deal. We know that now.
Yes, our defense did make a major improvement.
The first road game was no problem.
What cow bells?
And yes, we did get off to a good start.

The Mississippi State Game

Pat Dye has gained attention this week saying that David-Wade Stadium is the toughest place to play in the SEC. I don't understand that.

The game is on ESPN with a 6:45 kickoff. Will it be a track meet with both teams having high scoring capabilities? Will our defense improve and rise to the occasion? What about that first road game with a lot of freshmen? Is Cam Newton for real? Will those cow bells have any effect? Can Auburn get off to a good start?
Control the line of scrimmage. No turnovers. We need to win the turnover battle.

Auburn is a slight 2 or 3 point favorite. I'm a little surprised by this.

FIRST QUARTER

Auburn wins the toss and receives. The Tigers start at their 32.
The drive is consumatted by a 39-yd. TD strike to Emory Blake!
8 plays 68 yds. 3;38 off the clock.

Auburn 7 MSU 0

MSU starts on their 18.
The drive stalls around midfield.
After a good punt, AU starts on their 4.

After 3 running plays, AU punts from the 10 to midfield. Very conservative play calling with less than 7 minutes left in the quarter.

Three straight sacks and State is punting from their 40!

But theb we fumble the punt!!! The ball goes right thru Carr's hands. Unbelievable.

State is on our 20.
A shovel pass and they are at our 9.
A between the tackles takes the ball to the 2.
Our defense must be dazed.
State runs it in. There is a fumble at the goal line but the officials rule touchdown.
Auburn had all the momentum with a tremndous 3 and out on defense. Then a fumble by Carr on the punt return---the ball simply goes right thru his hands pretty as you please--- and we are tied with 2:30 left in the first quarter.

Auburn 7 MSU 7

A good return puts the ball at the State 48
Newton is picked off in the end zone. It looked like the receiver had a step but their safety came running over and picked it off. State starts at their 20.
That's two straight turnovers by Auburn.

END OF FIRST QUARTER

Auburn 7 MSU 7

The defense has played well. We can't run the ball on offense. We are losing the turnover war 2 to 0.

Auburn intercepts at midfield. Nick Fairly does the honors as Auburn confuses the State freshman QB.

Let's see if Auburn can run the football. A good gain by McCalebb. Another one by Newton. Lee Ziemba is injured on the play. Newton runs for a first down to the 25 yd. line. Newton crashes down to the 8. A missed hand-off to Fanin pushes the ball back to the 12. A holding penalty is refused. Auburn is goal- to- goal at the 12. State blitzes and Newton hits Adams on a BULLET in end zone.

Auburn 14 MSU 7

One thing I can say right now. Cam Newton IS the real deal.

State fumbles the snap and Fairly reovers at the State 44. Fairly now has an interception and a fumble recovery.
The Tigers move to a third and four just inside the State 15. After a penalty and an incomplete pass the drive stalls.
The Tigers settle for a Wes Byrun 34-yd. FG.
There is about 5 minutes left in the period.

Auburn 17 MSU 7

So the half ends. The Tigers mount a late drive but don't quite get into field goal range.

END OF FIRST HALF

Auburn 17 MSU 7

We may win this game. We may lose this game, but it is obvious that we have the better team and should win the football game.

SECOND HALF

State takes the second half kickoff and mounts a drive with QB keepers and those short passes that we can't seem to defend like the bubble screen where we give too much room to the receivers.
The Bulldogs march right down the field. I don't understand. All of a sudden our defense is passive. At times our defense is aroused; at times they seem to go limp.
State is not doing anything fancy.
From the 3 an incomplete pass.
A rush just short of the goal line.
A handoff and State gets the touchdown.
This is not the start to the second half that we wanted.
Our defense lets them go right down the field and we have a ballgame with 8:55 to go in the third.
12 plays. 63 yards. Simple football. Where was our defense? They took that series off.

Auburn 17 MSU 14

State is successful with the onside kick---beautifully executed.
State is their 44.
Etheridge is down. He gets up and trots off the field.
Our defense holds State to a 3 and out and a 4th and 10 from their 44.

Carr fair-catches at the 12.
The Tigers move to the State 48.
The Tigers move to the State 38.
3rd and 11 just outside the 39.
All of a sudden our offense gets messed up.
Newton is swamped and we are punting from outside the 50 all of a sudden.

Byrum punts to a fair catch at the State 11.
State faces a 4 and 1 at their 20.
State get off a 43-yd. punt and Auburn starts at their 37.

From their 37 as the third quarter winds down the Tigers try to get the offense going again. After a nifty Newton run, the third quarter ends with Auburn having a first down at midfield.

END OF THIRD QUARTER

Auburn 17 MSU 14

FOURTH QUARTER

The game is very much in doubt. Auburn has to score more points to win this game.

A pass to Fanin takes the ball to the 35.
Fanin makes a big run but a holding penalty brings the ball back. This is only our second penalty of the game but it's a big one.
The Tigers face a 4th and long at the State 39.
The Tigers take a delay of game penalty moving the ball back to the State 45.
This is two straight drives which start well but bog down.

State fair catches at their 11 early in the 4th quarter.
State gains one yard and they punt from the end zone.
The punt goes out of bounds at midfield

Auburn desperate needs to get some points.
The longer this game goes on with only a 3-point lead on the road the more nervous I get.

A pass to Smith takes the ball to the State 37.
Newton is sacked and AU faces a third and long.
3rd and 16.
The Tigers are forced to punt. Once again our offense squanders good field position.
This is dangerous territory on the road for AU. State starts on their 20. If we lose this game at this point it will be because of the offense not being able to sustain drives in the second half. On this possession, we have a first at the State 37 and get pushed back.

State tries to drive from their 20.
The Bulldogs have success running the football with the option. Our defense is not adjusting playing what our announcers assignment football.
Our defense holds at the State 45.
Carr fair catches the State punt at the Tiger 23.

With a little more than 6 minutes to go, the Tigers have the ball on their 23 but the offense is out of rhythm. Both defenses have adjusted well in the second half.
Mario Fanin is out of the game with some kind of shoulder injury.
The Tigers move the football.
There is a razzle dazzle play with Newton lateraling to Burns who passes sto Newton for a huge gain.
Auburn is on the march from the State 26.
Auburn is at the State 18 with a third and short.
Stan White says, "This is the game." Third and a yard a half.
State gets in and sacks Newton for a losss.
Auburn is 4th and 5.
What will the Tigers do?
Byrum lines for a 37 yard FG, but it's blocked!
As Yogi Berra says, it's not over till it's over.
Poor kick by Byrum. He didn't get the ball up.

State starts from their 20. Our defense has to do it again to save the game.
State moves to a fourth and 4 at their 27.
Here's the ballgame.
State gets a receiver behind the coverage. First down State on their 48 taking advantage of freshman Chris Davis.
Auburn sacks the QB!
Nick Fairly comes thru! What a game he is having.
State faces 3rd and long from their 44. Third and 15.
Auburn is stuck by a poor call--a pass interference call that shouldn't have been.
State is given a first down by poor officiating.
34 seconds left State on the Auburn 40.
Play moves to 4th down and 10 from the Auburn 40.
This is the game to this point.
State faces 4th and 10 from the Auburn 40.
A State lob pass goes to an open field

AUBURN WINS THE GAME! Final score 17 to 14.
The defense wins this game. The best effort of a Ted Roof defense so far.

Our offense misfired in the second half. Otherwise, this would not have been a close game. Our defense had to come thru, and they did.

Starkville

After starting the season beating Arkansas State 52 to 26, the Tigers are in Starkville for a Thursday night ESPN game. The game is expected to be a big challenge for our team. Most people people expect an offensive shootout. MSU scored 49 points against Memphis last Saturday. At least it won't be 3 to 2 as in two years ago. That was one of the most miserable games I have ever witnessed. More often than not Auburn wins this game. This is not a memorable series. The key is whether our defense improves. Phillip Marshall points out that the defense gave up only 110 yards in the second half against Arkansas State after getting shredded in the first half. I predict Auburn will win 41 to 38.

Pick 'Em (2)

Pick the winner. Home team in caps.

1. Auburn (2) at MISSISSIPPI STATE AUBURN WINS
2. Penn. State at ALABAMA (12) ALABAMA WINS
3. Georgia at SOUTH CAROLINA (2 1/2) SOUTH CAROLINA WINS
4. LSU (10) at VANDERBILT LSU WINS
5. UAB at SMU (13) SMU WINS
6. Troy at OKLAHOMA STATE (11 1/2) OKLAHOMA STATE WINS
7. Oregon (13) at TENNESSEE OREGON WINS
8. Michigan at NOTRE DAME (4) NOTRE DAME WINS
9. Tulane at OLE MISS (21) OLE MISS WINS
10.Arkansas State at LOUISANA-LAFETTE (3) LA LAFAYETTE WINS
11.South Florida at FLORIDA (16) FLORIDA WINS
12.BYU at AIR FORCE (1) AIR FORCE WINS

Fred's Picks

1. Auburn*
2. Alabama*
3. Georgia
4. LSU*
5. SMU*
6. Oklahoma State*
7. Tennessee
8. Notre Dame
9. Ole Miss*
10.Arkansas State
11.Florida*
12.BYU

Moyna's Picks

1. Auburn*
2. Alabama*
3. Georgia
4. LSU*
5. SMU*
6. Oklahoma State*
8. Oregon*
9. Ole Miss*
10.ARkansas State
11.Florida*
12.BYU

Freddy's Picks

1. Auburn*
2. Alabama*
3. South Carolina*
4. LSU*
5. SMU*
6. Oklahoma State*
7. Oregon*
8. Notre Dame
9. Ole Miss*
10.Arkansas State
11.Florida*
12.Air Force*

This Much I Know

This much I know: Auburn is supposed to beat Mississippi State. We should never lose to those people. I'm apprehensive if our defense doesn't improve. I'm apprehensive about how our freshmen are going to play over there. I'm apprehensive about possible turnovers. We should never lose to these Bulldogs.

It May Not Be Long

It may not be long before Ted Roof comes under intense fire if our defense doesn't improve soon.

Week One Results

Fred 11-1 (Missed UAB)
Moyna 11-1 (Missed Vanderbilt)
Freddy 10-2 (Missed UAB and Louisville)

See prior post for results.

Mississippi State Ahead

You have to figure this Thursday nite game on the road will be a high scoring affair. How else could you see it? Both teams score points in bunches. It will be a tough game for our Tigers no two ways about it.

Beating Arkansas State

We beat Arkansas State as expected. The game went almost exactly like I thought it would with Auburn scoring a lot of points but giving up some points. The only difference is that I thought most of their points would come in the 4th quarter after Coach Roof substituted. Instead their points came throughout the game. I predicted 45 to 24 vs. the actual 52 to 26. Not bad!

I hope Craig Stevens is back soon. We don't know the details of why he is suspended.

I hope the defense continues to improve. I do think the defense was better in the first game than last year, but it has a long way to go to be a dominating defense. I was glad to see us be able to pressure their QB.

Cam Newton certainly seems all that he was built up to be. Dyer is going to be great. I see him as the workhouse on running the football.

The Arkansas State Game

It's time for Auburn football. It's time to start the 2010 season.
The game is on Fox Sports South with a 6 o'clock kickoff.
Auburn is favored by 30 plus points.
The Tigers debut a new QB and a promising group of freshmen.
We look for much better depth than last year.
We hope for a better defensive effort.
We hope for better special teams.
What will happen?

On the radio before kickoff I hear that Craig Stevens is not playing tonight. We do not know why.

THE FIRST HALF

Auburn kicks off to the start the new season. Auburn drops the returner at the 12. Good kickoff coverage.

ASU makes a couple of first downs but has to punt from midfield.

(Word comes that Jacksonville State has upset Ole Miss 49 to 48 in overtime. Talk about unbelievable! This is beyond unbelievable)

Auburn starts from their 21.

McCalebb starts over Fanin.

The Tigers punt from their 48. The offense is slow starting it seems to me. Cam Newton is tentative trying to get comfortable.

The Red Wolves get a big pass play and are at the Auburn 21 quickly after the punt.

The Red Wolves move the Auburn 10.

ASU looks quicker than Auburn.

On 3rd and goal at the 10 the Red Wolves get the TD pass on a pinpoint pass with 5:18left in the first quarter. Quentin Riggins said the culprit was our safety play. So far our safeties are not playing well. We block the point after.

Arkansas State 6 Auburn 0

This is not the start we hoped for.

The Tigers mount a drive after a good kickoff return by Demond Washington. After two good runs by McCalebb, Kodie Burns wildcats the TD and with 3:28 left in the quarter Auburn takes the lead.

Auburn 7 Arkansas State 6

ASU starts from their 25.

Auburn pushes ASU back inside the 5! The defense is aroused.

After the punt from the end zone, Auburn is on the Red Wolf 36. And just like that Newton hits Mario Fanin on the wheel route and he is open by 20 yards for the touchdown. There is about a minute left in the first quarter.

Auburn 14 Arkansas 6

With 5 seconds to go in the quarter ASU punts on the last play of the quarter. Carr makes the fair catch on the Auburn 25.

On the first play of the second quarter Michael Dyer picks up 9 yards around the right side. Michael Dyer has arrived.

But then Auburn has 3 straight negative plays, going backward bigtime.
Auburn has to punt from the 20. Auburn squanders its momentum. This is a horrible offensive possession.

ASU starts from their 46 after a short punt.

After a good defensive stand and a short punt, Auburn starts at their 35.

The Tigers move quickly for the touchdown. There is a dazzling run by Newton. Then Kodie Burns hands the ball to McCalebb, who flips the ball to Neil Caudle, lined at wide receiver, who hits Darvin Adams on pass inside the 5. Newton pushes it in and Auburn goes up 21 to 6.

Auburn 21 Arkansas State 6

Arkansas State starts moving the ball after a good kick return. The announcers say our safeties are not playing well. The Red Wolves move the football to a first down inside our 15. The Red Wolves run it in from about the 14 after a missed tackle---poor tackling in the open field by Etheridge.

Auburn 21 Arkansas State 13

We've seen good and we've seen bad so far. It's been a roller coaster ride. Our announcers keep talking about the poor play of our safeties.

Auburn starts from their 35. Newton hits Carr on a 49 yard TD pass. Great pass, great catch! With 5:59 to go in the half it's

Auburn 28 Arkansas State 13

The scoring drive is 3 plays for 65 yards.

The Tigers do appear to be rotating some defensive guys.

ASU starts from their 26.

ASU starts quick passing their way down the field. Our defense is porous.

Our defense cannot stop them. We've stopped the run, but their quick passes are killing us.

The Red Wolves settle for the field goal.

Auburn 28 Arkansas State 16

Our defense better stiffen or this game will be in doubt to the end. We've had 6 penalities.

Cam Newton runs the quarterback draw for a long touchdown run. A great play call on the QB draw after faking to Fanin. That's 72 yard run by Newton.

Auburn 35 Arkansas State 16

Auburn's drives are quick. It puts the defense back on the field quickly.

With 1:03 left Auburn is at midfield.

Newton's running takes us the 11 as the clock winds down.

Auburn gets to the 6 but the clock expires. The ref is slow in spotting the ball. The Tigers lead 35 to 16 at the half.

THE SECOND HALF

Demond Washington fumbles the kick return---a disastrous start. This is the first turnover of the game. ASU has the ball on our 27. ASU moves to the Auburn 8. ASU runs it in. The second half starts bad, oh so bad. What on earth is going on here? Auburn has put Arkansas State back into the game with momentum to start the second half when we received to start it.

Auburn 35 Arkansas State 23

On our first play from scrimmage Fanin fumbles again! ASU recovers at the Auburn 29.
Fanin fumbles. Fanin fumbles. After all of the talk about Fanin, he fumbles sure enough.

What a disaster in the making. Auburn starts the second half with two consecutive turnovers. But our defense PUSHES them back. The Auburn defense steps up one time.

Auburn is on their 44. The Tigers go backward; McCalebb fumbles and ASU recovers. The offense is imploding. This is un-be-lievable. I've never seen such a poor start for an Auburn team. McCalebb's fumble is reviewed and overturned, but still the Auburn offense has disintegrated so far.

The Tigers can't make a first down. The Red Wolves start at their 36 with 9:36 left in the third. Auburn is playing badly. Turnovers and penalties.

Auburn holds and ASU has to punt from their 40. Carr returns to the Auburn 31 with 9:08 left in the third. It's been a slow third quarter.

After 3 good runs by Dyer, Newton goes under and completes an easy 38 yard TD pass to Fanin. Four plays, 69 yards now with 8:07 to go in the third.

Auburn 42 Arkansas State 23

Carr completes a long pass to Carr to the ASU 2, but the Tigers can't punch it in and have to settle for the FG on the last play of the third quarter.

Auburn 45 Arkansas State 23

As the 4th quarter proceeds, the Tigers have a sustained drive running the football featuring Michael Dyer, who gets his first TD of his Auburn career from a run inside the 5. ASU gets a field goal.

Auburn 52 Arkansas State 26
This is the final score.

The Tigers open the 2010 season beating Arkasnas State. Next up is Mississippi State Thursday night in StarkVegas. That one will be interesting.

The Feel of Fall

This morning has the feel of Fall as I drive to and from Shipley. It's still summer, but that time of year I live for is finally here.

Last night I saw Pelham overrun Oak Mountain 38 to 16. The Panthers look good, rebounding from that loss to Hueytown. I just hope they are competitive in the region.

There is nothing more to be said about 6 p.m. I've learned from experience that no one knows what will happen in a first game of the season. I've also learned from experience not to expect too much from a first game of the season. Auburn should win the game. That is all I know to say for sure. We shall see what happens.

My First Auburn Football Game

My first Auburn football game was in September of 1968 when I was there as a first quarter freshman. Back then under the quarter system, fall quarter didn't start till late September, the first game was played before school even started. It was disappointing as we lost to SMU. We played 10 games in those days. My first memory of the first game of the season was not good. That's why I am always nervous about the first game of the year. It started 42 years ago.

What I'm Thinking

What I'm thinking is that Auburn will win this game by scoring a lot points but giving up some points as well. Arkansas State runs some kind of spread and I think they know how to score but hopefully their defense can't stop our offense. We will give up some points if Coach Roof substitutes like he says he is going to. I see Auburn winning 45 to 24. Our second half subbing will yield some points. At the end of the game, the jury will still be out on Cam Newton and our defense.

Pick 'Em (1)

Pick the winner. Home team in CAPS.

1. Arkansas St. at AUBURN (31) AUBURN WINS
2. Florida Atlantic at UAB (14) FLORIDA ATLANTIC WINS
3. San Jose State at ALABAMA (39) ALABAMA WINS
4. Southern Miss at SOUTH CAROLINA (13 1/2) SOUTH CAROLINA WINS
5. Pittsburgh at UTAH (2 1/2) PITTSBURGH WINS
6. Purdue at NOTRE DAME (11) NOTRE DAME WINS
7. Memphis at MISSISSIPPI STATE (21) MISSISSIPPI STATE WINS
8. Bowling Green at TROY (14 1/2) TROY WINS
9. Northwestern (5) at VANDERBILT NORTHWESTERN WINS
10.Kentucky (3) at LOUISVILLE KENTUCKY WINS
11.Connecticut at MICHIGAN (3) MICHIGAN WINS
12.SMU at TEXAS TECH (13 1/2) TEXAS TECH WINS

Fred's Picks

1. Auburn*
2. UAB
3. Alabama*
4. South Carolina*
5. Pittsburgh*
6. Notre Dame*
7. Mississippi State*
8. Troy*
9. Northwestern*
10.Kentucky*
11.Michigan*
12.Texas Tech*

Freddy's Picks

1. Auburn*
2. UAB
3. Alabama*
4. South Carolina*
5. Pittsburgh*
6. Notre Dame*
7. Miss State*
8. Troy*
9. Northwestern*
10.Louisville
11.Michigan*
12.Texas Tech*

Moyna's Picks

1. Auburn*
2. Florida Atlantic*
3. South Carolina*
4. Alabama*
5. Pittsburgh*
6. Notre Dame*
7. Mississippi State*
8. Troy*
9. Vanderbilt
10.Kentucky*
11.Michigan*
12.Texas Tech*