BY Walt Austin
College and Magnolia
2 January 2015
The first half was low-scoring all around. The second half was a points fest. Unfortunately, Wisconsin just scored more of the kind that counted.
We can talk about Gus Malzahn's play-calling all we want (and we will), but the offense never punted in the second half. The only drive they failed to score points on was a missed Daniel Carlson field goal. The offense moved the ball well and scored 17 points on four possessions.
Within that last sentence is part of the probem, though: The Auburn offense had the ball for only four possessions in the second half. They only had the ball that many times because Wisconsin finally realized that they were crazy for ever even considering throwing the football except on the occasional play-action plays.
With their running backs, I have no idea why they didn't follow UGA's blue print from the start. As much as we've maligned the pass defense this season, one thing they are good at is getting interceptions. It seemed to be feast or famine at times, and in this game it was mostly feast. This defensive unit had more interceptions this season than any Tiger defense in decades (22 total).
In the second half, Wisconsin pounded the football, ran the clock, and kept the ball out of Auburn's hands. Their defense made stops to force Auburn to attempt two field goals. That was enough to allow the Badgers to score enough points to force the over time.
For all that we rail on the defense, they made two stops when they needed to in the 2nd half and overtime to hold the Badgers to field goals. Auburn just couldn't convert on their overtime opportunity to win the game or keep it alive.
Some General Thoughts:
On Gus Malzahn's Play Calling: I said something on Twitter during the game about Gus getting too cute at times. His overtime play calling is an example of that. Here's the thing, though... why were we surprised? This has been a complaint about his play calling since back when he was an offensive coordinator. It's something I wish would change, but it probably won't.
This was an issue last season at times. It was an issue in 2010. Do you know what the difference is? Those teams had defenses that were capable of making plays at times to help the offense over come its own stumbles. This year's defense - particularly by the end of the season - was not. You can't blame the defense for that overtime possession, because that was for all the marbles, but if the defense were a bit better, we likely aren't in over time to begin with.
Defense Has Talent, But Undisciplined: I've seen others who know much better than myself speak of the defense's tendency to over pursue plays and put themselves out of position to make stops. Then there's the issue of the horrible late hit out of bounds calls. Our defensive players really need to be more aware of where they are on the field. That can put a stop to some of the problems.
I really mean that about the defense having talent. We had an excellent recruiting class of defensive backs last season, and we're going to be pulling in another great DB or two or three in this class. The line will have Lawson back, and tthere are some redshirted lineman rready to go, as well. All of this will be discussed when we preview the various positions in the coming weeks.
What a Game For The Seniors: I really hate that they weren't able to come away with the win, but so many of those seniors went out with big plays. Trovon Reed had an interception, Jermaine Whitehead had two, Quan Bray made some great catches, CJ Uzomah made a great grab on a touchdown pass, and Nick Marshall had a mostly fantastic day throwing the football. I don't know if he's ever thrown a prettier pass than the deep ball to Ricardo Louis for the touch down. That was a thing of beauty. These seniors have been through so much with and for this football team, and they played their hearts out in their final game.
Some Thoughts on the HUNH: I saw plenty of tweets last night during the Oregon game commenting on how THAT'S what a HUNH offense is supposed to look like. Yes, Oregon's offense is the hyper-speed HUNH that we wish we were seeing at Auburn right now. But remember that Oregon has been recruiting for and running that offense for a decade, now. Auburn is still not to the point where it can run an entire offensive series without substituting. Especially when some of our best WRs either weren't playing or were playing hurt.
I have no doubt that Gus would love to get to that hyper-speed pace and keep to it all the time. But right now Auburn's just still not there. In 2011 we started to see some of it early on, and then Chizik slowed it down. We saw it at times last season, but this season we just didn't have a Jay Prosch type fullback that would allow us to go full-bore running the football on every play with the occasional pass.
I have a feeling that with a healthy Gage Batten and Kamryn Pettway playing as a RS Freshman (or Chandler Cox if he's ready as a true freshman), you're going to see a different offense next season. If the line is strong, we know the RBs are good. It may not be hyper-speed, but I think we'll be much closer next year. This is probably a topic better taken up by WarRoomEagle or another Xs and Os guru, though.
Saturday, January 3, 2015
Friday, January 2, 2015
After the Outback Bowl
I was more disappointed than I thought I would be after the loss yesterday. I think it's because of the way it came down. Not that we saw the same defensive shortcomings we've seen all year. We expected that. It's the fact that the offense didn't come through in the overtime and then the missed field goal.
Things are helped by Alabama losing to Ohio State. I thought Alabama would win easily since I have no respect for the Buckeyes. I detest Urban Meyer. I hope Oregon wins the national championship. Ohio State showed that they did belong in the top four.
I was glad to see FSU get humbled. That really is a renegade program and it's not just Winston. That program has slime all over it. I am so glad I didn't go to Florida State.
Things are helped by Alabama losing to Ohio State. I thought Alabama would win easily since I have no respect for the Buckeyes. I detest Urban Meyer. I hope Oregon wins the national championship. Ohio State showed that they did belong in the top four.
I was glad to see FSU get humbled. That really is a renegade program and it's not just Winston. That program has slime all over it. I am so glad I didn't go to Florida State.
Thursday, January 1, 2015
The 2015 Outback Bowl vs. Wisconsin
Truth is I have not thought much about this game. Things have changed since the Alabama game. Coach Malzahn fired Ellis Johnson and hired Will Muschamp as our DC. Duke Williams did not practice for the bowl game. There was mystery until it was learned that he been suspended but will return next year. The Wisconsin coach bolted for Oregon State. The thing about bowl games is that you just never know what might happen. Will Auburn be ready to play for this 11 a.m. kickoff? We shall find out. I think Auburn is favored but I'm not sure since I haven't paid much attention. They have a great running back and we have CAP. Who will win the battle of the running backs? That's just a side note. At least it's an early kickoff and I always like that.
FIRST QUARTER
The Tigers receive and after making 9 yards on first down fail to make the first down.
Wisconsin drives from their 11 for the touchdown.
We had a penalty on a foolish pass interference by Mincy to keep them on the field to continue the drive on a third and long.
Auburn 0 Wisconsin 7
The Tigers respond on their third possession with CAP banging in from the two.
We have some open receivers as the Badgers try to jam the run.
Auburn 7 Wisconsin 7
So far Wisconsin, a running team, has had the most success throwing the ball.
The quarter ends with Wisconsin on the AU 41 facing second and long after a sack.
SECOND QUARTER
So far it seems like there is not a lot of emotion on either side.
Both teams are playing pretty well but not much excitement on the field that I see.
We hold and Wisconsin punts to the AU seven.
The key for our defense is to get them in third and long.
Marshall is dropped at the three on first down.
Three and out and we punt from the 10.
It seems like one bad play or penalty and our offense can't get going except for that one drive.
No offensive rhythm.
The punt goes to the Badger 44.
So far I see two uninspiring teams.
Trovon Reed intercepts at the Auburn 33 on a third and 25.
Again the key is to get them in third and long
Marshall hits Louis on a pretty pretty 66 yard post route. Touchdown Auburn!
Auburn 14 Wisconsin 7
The Badgers drive but Whitehead intercepts at the AU 5.
That's our second interception of the game.
The Tigers have to punt from the 19 as Bray cannot bring in a first down pass.
Wisconsin starts at their 40.
There is an inopportune holding penalty on Therezie and Wisconsin is in Auburn territory.
There is a huge sack and the Badgers are back across midfield.
With 19 seconds to go Wisconsin has to punt.
The half ends with the Tigers up by 7 helped by two Wisconsin turnovers.
THIRD QUARTER
Wisconsin opens the second half by marching physically right down the field 75 yards in 6 plays.
Their offensive line overpowers our defense.
We're in trouble if this continues. That was too easy.
Auburn 14 Wisconsin 14
The Tigers drive but bog down and Carlson hits a 51-yard FG. Thank goodness we got something.
Auburn 17 Wisconsin 14
Our defense needs to man up or we're in big trouble.
The Badgers move the ball again.
McKinzy commits a late hit out of bounds.
We've seen these foolish penalties all year. A lack of discipline.
All of a sudden Whitehead picks off another ill-advised pass on the Auburn 5. That's timely!
There's an offensive face mask call on Coleman and we are really backed up.
CAP runs up the middle to the 20. Good to see that.
The drive ends on a missed 44 yard FG attempt.
The Badgers manhandle our defense again as we miss tackles and don't cover gaps.
The score comes a 53 yard run up the middle on 4th and a foot.
Such poor defense.
Auburn 17 Wisconsin 21
The quarter ends with Auburn on our 24 second and four.
FOURTH QUARTER
This is not a good game to watch. Both teams aren't very good today.
As long as Wisconsin keeps the ball on the ground they are in command unless our defense responds.
The offense responds with touchdown drive.
Marshall hits Uzomah for the 21 yard pass in the end zone. We have a ballgame.
Auburn 24 Wisconsin 21
The Badgers march down the field again, run after run for first down after first down.
We have no answer for their power running.
Auburn 24 Wisconsin 28
The Tigers drive to a 4th and 11 at the 15.
There is a clear pass interference call against Coates in the end zone. First down at the two.
CAP bangs in for the touchdown with 2:55 left.
Auburn 31 Wisconsin 28
Well, here we go. Can our defense get a stop? I doubt it.
The Badgers have rammed the ball down our throats all second half.
I would rather our offense have to win this game but it will have to be the defense to this point.
With 1:11 left Wisconsin faces 3rd and 4 at the Auburn 32.
Wisconsin calls a timeout as their QB juggles the ball and there is a loss.
4th and 5 and they are going for it rather than go for the long potentially tying field goal.
56 seconds left.
First down pass to the 26.
Yikes!
2nd and 10 with 41 seconds left.
There is a short completion.
3rd and 5 at the 21.
Wisconsin calls their last timeout.
There is a first down pass to the 11.
Pass incomplete in the end zone.
20 seconds left.
Another incompletion.
15 seconds left.
Another incomplete pass.
4th down and they will go for the tying field goal.
It will be a 29 yarder.
The kick is good and we will go to overtime.
At least the defense held them to a field goal.
There was a costly 15 yard penalty on that drive on Frost for an obvious hit out of bounds.
Auburn 31 Wisconsin 31
OVERTIME
They are a power running team. I think they have the advantage here.
Auburn wins the toss so Wisconsin goes on offense first.
The Badgers move to a first and goal at the 9 but we hold them to a field goal.
Auburn 31 Wisconsin 34
A touchdown wins it.
CAP loses 2 yards on first down.
Now it's 3rd and 12. We need a big play.
Three plays and we go backwards.
There was a poor three plays and that's all there is to it.
Now we have to try a 45 yard field goal.
Carlson misses. The ball hits the right upright.
This is a bad way to lose.
Our offense had a chance to win it in overtime and actually went backwards.
I did not expect this.
The defense held them to two field goals in their last two possessions and our offense fizzles in overtime.
I don't like losing like this. Now it will be a long time to next season.
Wisconsin was the best team.
A frustrating loss to end the 2014 season.
FIRST QUARTER
The Tigers receive and after making 9 yards on first down fail to make the first down.
Wisconsin drives from their 11 for the touchdown.
We had a penalty on a foolish pass interference by Mincy to keep them on the field to continue the drive on a third and long.
Auburn 0 Wisconsin 7
The Tigers respond on their third possession with CAP banging in from the two.
We have some open receivers as the Badgers try to jam the run.
Auburn 7 Wisconsin 7
So far Wisconsin, a running team, has had the most success throwing the ball.
The quarter ends with Wisconsin on the AU 41 facing second and long after a sack.
SECOND QUARTER
So far it seems like there is not a lot of emotion on either side.
Both teams are playing pretty well but not much excitement on the field that I see.
We hold and Wisconsin punts to the AU seven.
The key for our defense is to get them in third and long.
Marshall is dropped at the three on first down.
Three and out and we punt from the 10.
It seems like one bad play or penalty and our offense can't get going except for that one drive.
No offensive rhythm.
The punt goes to the Badger 44.
So far I see two uninspiring teams.
Trovon Reed intercepts at the Auburn 33 on a third and 25.
Again the key is to get them in third and long
Marshall hits Louis on a pretty pretty 66 yard post route. Touchdown Auburn!
Auburn 14 Wisconsin 7
The Badgers drive but Whitehead intercepts at the AU 5.
That's our second interception of the game.
The Tigers have to punt from the 19 as Bray cannot bring in a first down pass.
Wisconsin starts at their 40.
There is an inopportune holding penalty on Therezie and Wisconsin is in Auburn territory.
There is a huge sack and the Badgers are back across midfield.
With 19 seconds to go Wisconsin has to punt.
The half ends with the Tigers up by 7 helped by two Wisconsin turnovers.
THIRD QUARTER
Wisconsin opens the second half by marching physically right down the field 75 yards in 6 plays.
Their offensive line overpowers our defense.
We're in trouble if this continues. That was too easy.
Auburn 14 Wisconsin 14
The Tigers drive but bog down and Carlson hits a 51-yard FG. Thank goodness we got something.
Auburn 17 Wisconsin 14
Our defense needs to man up or we're in big trouble.
The Badgers move the ball again.
McKinzy commits a late hit out of bounds.
We've seen these foolish penalties all year. A lack of discipline.
All of a sudden Whitehead picks off another ill-advised pass on the Auburn 5. That's timely!
There's an offensive face mask call on Coleman and we are really backed up.
CAP runs up the middle to the 20. Good to see that.
The drive ends on a missed 44 yard FG attempt.
The Badgers manhandle our defense again as we miss tackles and don't cover gaps.
The score comes a 53 yard run up the middle on 4th and a foot.
Such poor defense.
Auburn 17 Wisconsin 21
The quarter ends with Auburn on our 24 second and four.
FOURTH QUARTER
This is not a good game to watch. Both teams aren't very good today.
As long as Wisconsin keeps the ball on the ground they are in command unless our defense responds.
The offense responds with touchdown drive.
Marshall hits Uzomah for the 21 yard pass in the end zone. We have a ballgame.
Auburn 24 Wisconsin 21
The Badgers march down the field again, run after run for first down after first down.
We have no answer for their power running.
Auburn 24 Wisconsin 28
The Tigers drive to a 4th and 11 at the 15.
There is a clear pass interference call against Coates in the end zone. First down at the two.
CAP bangs in for the touchdown with 2:55 left.
Auburn 31 Wisconsin 28
Well, here we go. Can our defense get a stop? I doubt it.
The Badgers have rammed the ball down our throats all second half.
I would rather our offense have to win this game but it will have to be the defense to this point.
With 1:11 left Wisconsin faces 3rd and 4 at the Auburn 32.
Wisconsin calls a timeout as their QB juggles the ball and there is a loss.
4th and 5 and they are going for it rather than go for the long potentially tying field goal.
56 seconds left.
First down pass to the 26.
Yikes!
2nd and 10 with 41 seconds left.
There is a short completion.
3rd and 5 at the 21.
Wisconsin calls their last timeout.
There is a first down pass to the 11.
Pass incomplete in the end zone.
20 seconds left.
Another incompletion.
15 seconds left.
Another incomplete pass.
4th down and they will go for the tying field goal.
It will be a 29 yarder.
The kick is good and we will go to overtime.
At least the defense held them to a field goal.
There was a costly 15 yard penalty on that drive on Frost for an obvious hit out of bounds.
Auburn 31 Wisconsin 31
OVERTIME
They are a power running team. I think they have the advantage here.
Auburn wins the toss so Wisconsin goes on offense first.
The Badgers move to a first and goal at the 9 but we hold them to a field goal.
Auburn 31 Wisconsin 34
A touchdown wins it.
CAP loses 2 yards on first down.
Now it's 3rd and 12. We need a big play.
Three plays and we go backwards.
There was a poor three plays and that's all there is to it.
Now we have to try a 45 yard field goal.
Carlson misses. The ball hits the right upright.
This is a bad way to lose.
Our offense had a chance to win it in overtime and actually went backwards.
I did not expect this.
The defense held them to two field goals in their last two possessions and our offense fizzles in overtime.
I don't like losing like this. Now it will be a long time to next season.
Wisconsin was the best team.
A frustrating loss to end the 2014 season.
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