The news of the day is that Malzahn dismissed Ellis Johnson as defensive coordinator. Who is next? It's too early to know, but I thought why not have fun and give my odds. I'm not in the loop and anything I say shouldn't be believed, but that hasn't stopped me before.
First, let's remember that Johnson is 62. Much was made during his stint at Auburn about his age, his having coached at four SEC programs, and his decades in the business. So, I'm setting the over and under on the age of our next DC at 53. I don't have a bet on which side we will land. However, when Johnson was at South Carolina, he famously criticized our brand of offense. Also, ESPN is reporting "mutual interest" between Malzahn and Muschamp. Does that indicate a younger DC?
As for who will replace Johnson, here are my unbiased, yet uninformed and unreliable, odds:
Rodney Garner - 35:1
Will Muschamp - 6:1
Bo Pelini - 15:1
Ed Orgeron - 20:1
Somebody else - 10:1
The team finished 8-4. This is a program that, especially after last year, wants to win championships. Knowing that we need to improve after a four loss season, going with Garner might be a risk because he has never been a DC.
Sunday, November 30, 2014
Saturday, November 29, 2014
The 2014 Alabama Game
The Tigers are a 9 1/2 point underdog in Tuscaloosa this year. Few people think we have a chance. We'll see what happens.
FIRST QUARTER
The Tigers win the toss and receive, get a break as the KO goes out of bounds at the Auburn 44, but on the first play a flare pass is a lateral to Roc Thomas and he can't handle the ball and Alabama recovers at the Auburn 35. Five plays later Alabama is in the end zone.
Auburn 0 Alabama 7
The Tigers move smartly down the field from their 25 but have to settle for a FG from the 3. On the drive we moved the ball on the ground and come up a little short inside the 5. That was a good drive minus not being able to punch it into the end zone.
Auburn 3 Alabama 7
Alabama mounts another quick TD drive abetted by 30 yards in penalties. The score comes on a 17 pass to Cooper.
Auburn 3 Alabama 14
The Tigers drive to a 4th and 1 at the Alabama 8. The big play is a long completion to Duke Williams to the Alabama 17.
Nick Williams sneaks for the first down barely.
After three straight incompletions we have to again settle for the field goal.
Uzomah and Coates both had tough but catchable passes but both couldn't bring in the ball.
We can't have incompletions like that and win this game.
Auburn 6 Alabama 14
Finally a three and out from their 25.
The quarter ends with Auburn at their 45 with 2nd and 10.
THIRD QUARTER
We get to the 5 with a third and two but CAP is dropped in the backfield on a play that was too slow in developing. Our running success comes from quick hitting the line rather than slow developing plays. Another FG is good.
Auburn 9 Alabama 14
First Alabama play from scrimmage Whitehead intercepts at the Alabama 32.
After a 2 yard loss Marshall hits Coates for the touchdown. The turnovers are now even.
Auburn 16 Alabama 14
Our defense holds again sacking their QB on their last play. The bad news is that their punt pends us at our 10 but still our defense is playing well at the moment.
Our offense has had the ball 5 times. After the initial turnover we've scored 4 straight times.
We move out to midfield from our 10 but have to punt from there.
Our punt coverage allows their returner to return to their 42 with about 5 minutes left.
Alabama passes their way down to the Auburn 9 and a timeout with 3:02 left in the half.
On 4th and goal from the one Yeldon powers in for the score.
Auburn 16 Alabama 21
Wow! Marshall hits Coates on a 68 TD pass with 54 seconds and Auburn regains the lead.
Auburn 23 Alabama 21
The Tigers get ANOTHER pick and on a razzle dazzle play and another pass to Coates we are at the one yard line. The play from scrimmage is stopped and we have to settle for the field. We go to the half leading Alabama. The Tigers so far are playing inspired football.
Auburn 26 Alabama 21
Alabama receives to start the half and the Tigers get another interception at the UA 39.
The touchdown comes on a 6 yard pass to Bray. The second half has started like the first half ended.
11:02 to go in the third..
Auburn 33 Alabama 21
UA moves from their 25 to the Auburn 39 and then there's a 39 yard TD pass to Cooper but the PAT is blocked. That's the first big pass of the game to Amari Cooper.
Auburn 33 Alabama 27
The Tigers respond.
There is a pass to Bray down to the UA 21. Both Bray and the defender go out of bounds with the ball but a tie goes to the receiver. The play is reviewed and I thought sure as the world the refs would give the ball the red shirt.
We have to settle for the field goal once again.
Auburn 36 Alabama 27
About three and a half minutes left in the third quarter.
First play from scrimmage Sims hits Cooper again for 75 yards.
My, my, my.
We've disguised our defenses well but that's two plays where Cooper gets wide open this time running past Mincy. Sims either has to pass short or hit Cooper long.
Auburn 36 Alabama 34
What a game so far.
After one first down Marshall throws the interception and UA is at the Auburn 31.
The third quarter clock is winding down.
The quarter ends with Alabama having first and goal at the Auburn 13.
This game will go to the finish.
FOURTH QUARTER
15 minutes left. How will this thing go?
Sims runs around left end 11 yards for the score.
The 2 point conversion is good.
Auburn 36 Alabama 42
Can our offense respond?
14:33 to go.
From the 26 we go back to the 22 and have to punt. Not good.
Alabama will start at their 28 after a good punt by Carlson.
Now we need a defensive stop.
They march down the field dominating our defense. It looks their offense is dominating our defense and we can't stop them.
The touchdown pass comes from the 6 as Whitehead could have had an interception but didn't get his head around. How sad.
The 2 point try fails.
Auburn 36 Alabama 48
Could have stopped that one if Whitehead had turned his head around.
8:05 to go.
There's another long completion from the 31 to the UA 16.
On 4th down the completion to the 8 is short of the first down and Alabama takes over.
When all is said and done we've had to kick 5 field goals and that's the difference in the ballgame.
We have 565 yards but we've had to kick field after field goal.
They take if 92 yards with big runs by their big back Henry.
Auburn 36 Alabama 55
With 20 seconds remaining Auburn gets a consolation touchdown on a 5 yard run by Corey Grant.
FINAL SCORE
Auburn 44 Alabama 55
The ultimate difference in the game is that we have to settle for 5 field goals. Our inability to score touchdowns and having to settle for field goals is the difference in the game. Despite the 55 points our defense played well in the first half and not so good in the second half but it's the offense that should done better to win this game. Our defense didn't have 4 quarters in it. End of story.
FIRST QUARTER
The Tigers win the toss and receive, get a break as the KO goes out of bounds at the Auburn 44, but on the first play a flare pass is a lateral to Roc Thomas and he can't handle the ball and Alabama recovers at the Auburn 35. Five plays later Alabama is in the end zone.
Auburn 0 Alabama 7
The Tigers move smartly down the field from their 25 but have to settle for a FG from the 3. On the drive we moved the ball on the ground and come up a little short inside the 5. That was a good drive minus not being able to punch it into the end zone.
Auburn 3 Alabama 7
Alabama mounts another quick TD drive abetted by 30 yards in penalties. The score comes on a 17 pass to Cooper.
Auburn 3 Alabama 14
The Tigers drive to a 4th and 1 at the Alabama 8. The big play is a long completion to Duke Williams to the Alabama 17.
Nick Williams sneaks for the first down barely.
After three straight incompletions we have to again settle for the field goal.
Uzomah and Coates both had tough but catchable passes but both couldn't bring in the ball.
We can't have incompletions like that and win this game.
Auburn 6 Alabama 14
Finally a three and out from their 25.
The quarter ends with Auburn at their 45 with 2nd and 10.
THIRD QUARTER
We get to the 5 with a third and two but CAP is dropped in the backfield on a play that was too slow in developing. Our running success comes from quick hitting the line rather than slow developing plays. Another FG is good.
Auburn 9 Alabama 14
First Alabama play from scrimmage Whitehead intercepts at the Alabama 32.
After a 2 yard loss Marshall hits Coates for the touchdown. The turnovers are now even.
Auburn 16 Alabama 14
Our defense holds again sacking their QB on their last play. The bad news is that their punt pends us at our 10 but still our defense is playing well at the moment.
Our offense has had the ball 5 times. After the initial turnover we've scored 4 straight times.
We move out to midfield from our 10 but have to punt from there.
Our punt coverage allows their returner to return to their 42 with about 5 minutes left.
Alabama passes their way down to the Auburn 9 and a timeout with 3:02 left in the half.
On 4th and goal from the one Yeldon powers in for the score.
Auburn 16 Alabama 21
Wow! Marshall hits Coates on a 68 TD pass with 54 seconds and Auburn regains the lead.
Auburn 23 Alabama 21
The Tigers get ANOTHER pick and on a razzle dazzle play and another pass to Coates we are at the one yard line. The play from scrimmage is stopped and we have to settle for the field. We go to the half leading Alabama. The Tigers so far are playing inspired football.
Auburn 26 Alabama 21
Alabama receives to start the half and the Tigers get another interception at the UA 39.
The touchdown comes on a 6 yard pass to Bray. The second half has started like the first half ended.
11:02 to go in the third..
Auburn 33 Alabama 21
UA moves from their 25 to the Auburn 39 and then there's a 39 yard TD pass to Cooper but the PAT is blocked. That's the first big pass of the game to Amari Cooper.
Auburn 33 Alabama 27
The Tigers respond.
There is a pass to Bray down to the UA 21. Both Bray and the defender go out of bounds with the ball but a tie goes to the receiver. The play is reviewed and I thought sure as the world the refs would give the ball the red shirt.
We have to settle for the field goal once again.
Auburn 36 Alabama 27
About three and a half minutes left in the third quarter.
First play from scrimmage Sims hits Cooper again for 75 yards.
My, my, my.
We've disguised our defenses well but that's two plays where Cooper gets wide open this time running past Mincy. Sims either has to pass short or hit Cooper long.
Auburn 36 Alabama 34
What a game so far.
After one first down Marshall throws the interception and UA is at the Auburn 31.
The third quarter clock is winding down.
The quarter ends with Alabama having first and goal at the Auburn 13.
This game will go to the finish.
FOURTH QUARTER
15 minutes left. How will this thing go?
Sims runs around left end 11 yards for the score.
The 2 point conversion is good.
Auburn 36 Alabama 42
Can our offense respond?
14:33 to go.
From the 26 we go back to the 22 and have to punt. Not good.
Alabama will start at their 28 after a good punt by Carlson.
Now we need a defensive stop.
They march down the field dominating our defense. It looks their offense is dominating our defense and we can't stop them.
The touchdown pass comes from the 6 as Whitehead could have had an interception but didn't get his head around. How sad.
The 2 point try fails.
Auburn 36 Alabama 48
Could have stopped that one if Whitehead had turned his head around.
8:05 to go.
There's another long completion from the 31 to the UA 16.
On 4th down the completion to the 8 is short of the first down and Alabama takes over.
When all is said and done we've had to kick 5 field goals and that's the difference in the ballgame.
We have 565 yards but we've had to kick field after field goal.
They take if 92 yards with big runs by their big back Henry.
Auburn 36 Alabama 55
With 20 seconds remaining Auburn gets a consolation touchdown on a 5 yard run by Corey Grant.
FINAL SCORE
Auburn 44 Alabama 55
The ultimate difference in the game is that we have to settle for 5 field goals. Our inability to score touchdowns and having to settle for field goals is the difference in the game. Despite the 55 points our defense played well in the first half and not so good in the second half but it's the offense that should done better to win this game. Our defense didn't have 4 quarters in it. End of story.
Thursday, November 27, 2014
Going into the Last Game
| Schedule 2014 | ||||
| Date | Opponent | Result / Time | ||
| 8/30 | vs. Arkansas | W 45 - 21 | ||
| 9/6 | vs. San Jose State | W 59 - 13 | ||
| 9/18 | at 20 Kansas State | W 20 - 14 | ||
| 9/27 | vs. Louisiana Tech | W 45 - 17 | ||
| 10/4 | vs. 15 LSU | W 41 - 7 | ||
| 10/11 | at 3 Mississippi State | L 23 - 38 | ||
| 10/25 | vs. South Carolina | W 42 - 35 | ||
| 11/1 | at 4 Mississippi | W 35 - 31 | ||
| 11/8 | vs. Texas A&M | L 38 - 41 | ||
| 11/15 | at 15 Georgia | L 7 - 34 | ||
| 11/22 | vs. Samford | W 31 - 7 | ||
| 11/29 | at 1 Alabama | 6:45 CT | ||
Wednesday, November 26, 2014
Monday, November 24, 2014
After Samford
We are down to the last regular season game of 2014. The 8 and 4 Tigers are a 9 point underdog in Tuscaloosa. The only good thing about it is that no one will expect us to win so if we do pull it off it will be big. In 2002 the Tigers surprised the Tide in similar circumstances. I don't expect the same this year. Then again we were 10 point underdogs at home last year and we know what happened then.
Saturday, November 22, 2014
The 2014 Samford Game
For the first time Gus Malzahn has lost two straight games. Both the Tigers and the Bulldogs come into this game 7 and 3. The Tigers need to right the ship.
FIRST QUARTER
Once again the Tigers start slow. A holding penalty results in a three and out as Auburn receives to start the game.
The Bulldogs cross midfield but punt whereupon Marshall throws an interception down at the Bulldog 35 toward Coates into double coverage, and there's a runback inside the Auburn 35.
The Tigers hold on a 4th and 1 at the 13.
The Tigers look sluggish.
The Tigers drive to the Samford 35 but Marshall is sacked on the last play of the quarter and Auburn is punting. Without Duke Williams and Ricardo Louis we have no passing game and the running is haphazard. This not starting well.
Auburn 0 Samford 0
SECOND QUARTER
A light rain is falling.
The punt is only 22 yards. Among other problems our special teams play is terrible.
This team looks totally uninspired.
Samford starts at their 23 with rain and wind.
The Bulldogs punt, Bray fumbles another one, but Melvin Ray picks it up and we start at the 27
The offense sputters again and we are three and out.
There's a pretty good punt and Samford starts on their 26.
Our offense has nothing going.
Going back to the Georgia game we are into our 5th straight quartet without scoring.
This team is sleep-walking.
I never thought I would see a Gus Malzahn team regress like this.
This team makes costly mistakes and commits costly penalties. The trend since TAMU continues.
What is the matter with this team?
Samford looks like the better team so far.
We are averaging 1.8 yards per play so far.
Samford drives to the AU 31 after the second interference call on Mincy. It looks like a bad call but no matter. We shouldn't be getting outplayed by the Samford Bulldogs.
Samford goes to the AU 15 after an easy pitch and catch.
Samford goes to the 8.
Then there is the TD pass from the 8.
We let them move down the field mainly on penalties and Samford leads and this game is very serious.
Auburn had better get it together right now. Auburn needs to wake up. This team is playing without energy. This game could get very scary.
Auburn 0 Samford 7
First play there is a long pass to Coates to the Samford 24.
Quan Bray sweeps left from the 23 for the score.
Auburn responds in three plays for 73 yards.
That's more like it.
Auburn 7 Samford 7
The defense finally rises up and pushes the Bulldogs back from their 27.
Bray returns the punt to the Bulldog 44.
We move smartly down the field all the way to the 5 but we get pushed back and have to settle for the field goal. Despite getting pushed back at the end of the drive for the first time we show energy on offense.
Auburn 10 Samford 7
Samford goes three and out and is punting with 1:28 left.
The kick goes out of bounds at the AU 43. The Tigers have 2 timeouts left.
After a 12 yard rush Marshall hits Bray for 40 yards to the Bulldog 21.
The score comes on a 6 yard slash around left end by CAP with 39 seconds to go.
It's like Samford's touchdown woke this team up.
Auburn 17 Samford 7
The half ends as Auburn hopefully finally woke up.
Let's keep the momentum going.
THIRD QUARTER
The Bulldogs drive to the Auburn 15 making our defense look porous again but we finally stop them and they miss a 34 field goal attempt. I was thinking we're starting slow in this half just like we started the game. We are getting a good pass rush with 4.
The Tigers drive 80 yards in 10 plays the TD coming on a 13-yard pass to Corey Grant around the left on a wheel route.
Auburn 24 Samford 7
Samford is quickly three and out.
AU is also three and out.
Kris Frost intercepts and Auburn is at the Samford 25.
CAP runs for 10.
There is a completion to the end zone but Coates is called for offensive pass interference.
NM is sacked for a big loss and we are out of FG range.
This is a disappointing possession as we are pushed back from the SU 25.
The quarter ends as Samford gets ready to punt from their 30.
FOURTH QUARTER
The Tigers drive 65 yards for the touchdown.
Roc Thomas powers in from the one for the score.
That was power running.
Auburn 31 Samford 7
The Bulldogs drive into Auburn territory before Mincy intercepts at the AU 25.
The game ends without any additional scoring.
Jeremy Johnson gets in on a series. I can't wait to see him next year.
After a sluggish start but the Tigers finally get it going after Samford scores first.
Now comes the big one next week.
FIRST QUARTER
Once again the Tigers start slow. A holding penalty results in a three and out as Auburn receives to start the game.
The Bulldogs cross midfield but punt whereupon Marshall throws an interception down at the Bulldog 35 toward Coates into double coverage, and there's a runback inside the Auburn 35.
The Tigers hold on a 4th and 1 at the 13.
The Tigers look sluggish.
The Tigers drive to the Samford 35 but Marshall is sacked on the last play of the quarter and Auburn is punting. Without Duke Williams and Ricardo Louis we have no passing game and the running is haphazard. This not starting well.
Auburn 0 Samford 0
SECOND QUARTER
A light rain is falling.
The punt is only 22 yards. Among other problems our special teams play is terrible.
This team looks totally uninspired.
Samford starts at their 23 with rain and wind.
The Bulldogs punt, Bray fumbles another one, but Melvin Ray picks it up and we start at the 27
The offense sputters again and we are three and out.
There's a pretty good punt and Samford starts on their 26.
Our offense has nothing going.
Going back to the Georgia game we are into our 5th straight quartet without scoring.
This team is sleep-walking.
I never thought I would see a Gus Malzahn team regress like this.
This team makes costly mistakes and commits costly penalties. The trend since TAMU continues.
What is the matter with this team?
Samford looks like the better team so far.
We are averaging 1.8 yards per play so far.
Samford drives to the AU 31 after the second interference call on Mincy. It looks like a bad call but no matter. We shouldn't be getting outplayed by the Samford Bulldogs.
Samford goes to the AU 15 after an easy pitch and catch.
Samford goes to the 8.
Then there is the TD pass from the 8.
We let them move down the field mainly on penalties and Samford leads and this game is very serious.
Auburn had better get it together right now. Auburn needs to wake up. This team is playing without energy. This game could get very scary.
Auburn 0 Samford 7
First play there is a long pass to Coates to the Samford 24.
Quan Bray sweeps left from the 23 for the score.
Auburn responds in three plays for 73 yards.
That's more like it.
Auburn 7 Samford 7
The defense finally rises up and pushes the Bulldogs back from their 27.
Bray returns the punt to the Bulldog 44.
We move smartly down the field all the way to the 5 but we get pushed back and have to settle for the field goal. Despite getting pushed back at the end of the drive for the first time we show energy on offense.
Auburn 10 Samford 7
Samford goes three and out and is punting with 1:28 left.
The kick goes out of bounds at the AU 43. The Tigers have 2 timeouts left.
After a 12 yard rush Marshall hits Bray for 40 yards to the Bulldog 21.
The score comes on a 6 yard slash around left end by CAP with 39 seconds to go.
It's like Samford's touchdown woke this team up.
Auburn 17 Samford 7
The half ends as Auburn hopefully finally woke up.
Let's keep the momentum going.
THIRD QUARTER
The Bulldogs drive to the Auburn 15 making our defense look porous again but we finally stop them and they miss a 34 field goal attempt. I was thinking we're starting slow in this half just like we started the game. We are getting a good pass rush with 4.
The Tigers drive 80 yards in 10 plays the TD coming on a 13-yard pass to Corey Grant around the left on a wheel route.
Auburn 24 Samford 7
Samford is quickly three and out.
AU is also three and out.
Kris Frost intercepts and Auburn is at the Samford 25.
CAP runs for 10.
There is a completion to the end zone but Coates is called for offensive pass interference.
NM is sacked for a big loss and we are out of FG range.
This is a disappointing possession as we are pushed back from the SU 25.
The quarter ends as Samford gets ready to punt from their 30.
FOURTH QUARTER
The Tigers drive 65 yards for the touchdown.
Roc Thomas powers in from the one for the score.
That was power running.
Auburn 31 Samford 7
The Bulldogs drive into Auburn territory before Mincy intercepts at the AU 25.
The game ends without any additional scoring.
Jeremy Johnson gets in on a series. I can't wait to see him next year.
After a sluggish start but the Tigers finally get it going after Samford scores first.
Now comes the big one next week.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)