Continuing the series
we head into October. Auburn earns a well-deserved week off after what is sure
to be a very physical game with LSU, and then entertains the Arkansas
Razorbacks before taking off to visit Ole Miss and then Vanderbilt before
returning to the comforts of Jordan-Hare stadium to take on Texas a&M.
So without further
ado, here are my preseason pickings.
Arkansas Razorbacks…
This is probably the
most difficult game on the schedule to pick. After the motorcycle antics of
their former coach Bobby Petrino, the Hawgs find themselves in a unique
situation. The players will start the season with the same group of assistant
coaches, but the program is being directed by a new head coach in John L.
Smith.
It is not my wish to
delve into the mental aspects of the team after having gone through that
ordeal, simply to state that things will be different. The word from Arkansas
AD is that Smith is to let the coaches coach, but Smith will have control over
everything from practice schedules, and team meetings and so forth. Some things
inherently will change from the way that former coach Petrino had done them.
Is it enough to
change the way the players react and play? It’s hard to grasp at this time, so I’ll
give two predictions.
First, if there is no
real meddling by Smith into his assistant coaches and there preparations then
Arkansas could be a very good team this season.
Arkansas has a
tremendous amount of quality talent returning, and a coaching staff that has
won some big games. Every single game played in the SEC West is big, so the
Hawgs won’t have trouble being amped and the loss the last time they were in
JHS will be motivation enough to be focused. If this is the case, and Arkansas
is playing up to potential Auburn could lose this game by 10 points or more. Making their record 4-1
The second scenario
is that John L. Smith can’t help but meddle with the assistants that he
inherited, and disrupts the continuity of the staff. How much disruption? How
does this translate into on field performance?
Let me state that any
action by Smith that would create an imbalance in the coaching staff would be
disastrous, and an eventual Auburn victory. Leaving Auburn undefeated up until
this point and 5-0 on the campaign.
I actually had the
Razorbacks winning the West division this year, until the motorcycle ride from
hell happened. We will all have to wait and see just how well John L. Smith
does staying out of the way of the assistant coaches. They are not his
assistants, he didn’t hire these guys he inherited them.
Ole Miss…
I know Hugh Freeze
came into Auburn with Arkansas State and created havoc with his offense on a
Ted Roof defense. This is still Ole Miss and Ted is gone to purgatory in Penn
State. This isn’t the same Auburn defense that was rattled by short passes and
quick screens. Try that now, and a price will be extracted.
Auburn wins big on the road in this one.
Vanderbilt…
The last time Auburn
was in Commodore country it left embarrassed and minus one offensive
coordinator. That won’t happen this time.
James Franklin the
Vandy coach has recruited rather well, and is saying all the right things, the
Commodores are an improved club top to bottom under Franklin.
This writer thinks
that still won’t be enough to stop what is sure to be a seasoned Auburn
offense, and a much more disciplined defensive unit. Auburn will win this game,
and really be garnering some national attention with a possible 7-0 record.
Texas A&M…
The Aggies are a
difficult team to get a clear picture on because of the new coaching hire
during the transition to the SEC. If you will pardon the analogy, changing the
Chief of the tribe, and learning new hunting grounds makes things very
difficult. I’ll give the edge to
my home standing Tigers.
Next up is November, and “Amen Corner”.
WAR EAGLE!
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