Sometimes you can be who you are

We are U.

Wow after a big win on the road in Oxford, MS with some great stats it feels like we all can take a much-needed deep breath. At least it would appear on twitter that has happened. The incessant anti-Gus, anti-player tweets have slowed way down, thank you.

Quick run down of the key stats in my opinion; 0 turnovers, 269 yards rushing, Whitlow had 170 yards rushing, only lost the Time of Possession battle by 22 seconds. Still had some areas of concern; 8 penalties for 80 yards, 5 out of 6 of the 3^rd down conversions for q (6 of 17) were 5 yards or greater.

For most of us, we know that U is much more than wins and losses, it’s about the U family. Some people like to claim they do not want mediocrity or are not ok with 8-5 seasons and the blah blah goes on and on🙄. All I have to say is chill. Did you see the Ohio State and Purdue game? Sometimes there is a reason or a force on how things are the way they are and supposed to be. Purdue was not being denied and I believe Tyler Trent along with the Good Lord and the spirit of a team to do something no one gave them a shot to do. Obviously, they did it and they were last night who they are, and they showed the world that.

This U team needs to be who they are and we as U fans and most importantly as U family need to accept that. So many people with so many opinions trying to control the situation. Trust in Al Greene, trust in the U coaches and players. They are the only ones that truly know who they are and what they are truly capable of. Every single “journalist,” tweeter, and opinionated blogger (myself included) only speculate. When you speculate, you invariably assume to fortify your opinions. Now for some of you more experienced folks on the planet you know that when you assume it only ends making an ass out of u and me 😊! Oh, and we all know about opinions too, everyone’s got one like something else and like that something else they normally always stink😮.

So, as we head into the bye week why don’t we all take a lot of deep breaths because the rest of our season is brutal! We all knew this stretch of the schedule was coming and now more than ever our team needs us to be positive and supportive. I mean seriously, realistically, I know we all want to win every game but how many would you be happy if we won? 1? 2? 3? The combined record of the final 4 are 23 – 6. We also know the UGA and bama game are not in our house.

I am sure some will answer it is not if we win it is how well we play which I totally get but having proper expectations on where our team is and what they are capable of is key. I do not believe this team wants to lose a single game and I do believe they believe they can win every game. For years and years when I played sports that is the attitude I had, and you must have when you are an athlete but as a fan you have the luxury of enjoying the game without risking your health or making a mistake that ends up being the talk of twitter for a week. So be a fan, enjoy the games and remember these are 18-20+ year old’s playing a game for our University and they deserve our unwavering support.

I know we all had high expectations and all I am saying is don’t let the last games pass you by without enjoying this college football season. Sure, there are going to be ups and downs but embrace the ups and forget the downs. Enjoy them while you can, embrace being around family and friends sharing the tailgating and watch party experiences for those moments are the moments to cherish for a lifetime.

 I read a quote this weekend and it reminded me that we should never waste the moments or try and be somebody that we aren’t because chances are you are who you are supposed to be, so be the best at that.

Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are. 

- Marilyn Monroe

War Eagle y’all, stay positive and believe it when I say it we are stronger together and united as one!

The Agony of Defeat

Saturday morning at home, Auburn football lost to an up and coming Tennessee team 30-24. 

Nobody likes losing, period. For the fans this is frustrating, and I get that. Trust me, I do. For these players however, the feeling is hallowing. Agonizing.

Among the goals set for the season, making the College Football Playoff was chief. Everything that this team wanted to accomplish is now not possible.

To make matters worse, there's the beast across the state that has been clicking on all 8 cylinders. There's Florida that has seen a resurgence. LSU waltzed into our house and won, and nothing seems to be going right for Auburn offensively. 

If Auburn can't right the ship, and soon, there will be other consequences. What was hoped to be a Playoff season is now "let's hope we make a Bowl" season. Add to those miseries recruiting will likely take a major hit if the losing streak continues. 

Where does Auburn find the way back to winning football? In the locker room and on the practice field. I for one am hoping they can get it done. For their sake. 

All the other things that happen if this team can't turn it around are on the table. 

I don't want to eat at that table.

WAR EAGLE!

The Grim Reality of Auburn Football

Auburn traveled to Starkville, MS Saturday and limped away in a 23-9 losing effort. 

The grim reality is Auburn is struggling offensively.


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PASSING                                                                      AU              MSU
Total (Net)	214	69
Comp.-Att.-Int.	19-38-0	9-17-1
Avg. / Att.	5.6	4.1
Avg. / Comp.	11.3	7.7
TDs	0	0

-->

TOTAL OFFENSE
Yards	304	418
Plays	59	74
Avg. / Play	5.2	5.6
Fumbles - Lost	4-2	1-0
Penalties - Yds.	2-10	1-15

It's difficult to have an effective offense when you turn the ball over. Add to this dropped pass plays, and a few missed assignments, and the sum equals a loss. 

I haven't seen an Auburn offense struggle like this in many years. While fewer penalties were committed, the Tigers offense continues its woeful ways. only 15 first downs earned, and 3 of 14 on third down is not a recipe for success.

Up until this season Auburn averaged: (Points per game)

2013-39.5
2014-35.5
2015-27.5
2016-31.2
2017-33.9

Since Gus Malzahn became its head coach.**

The hapless defense had some difficulty getting off the field, yet held the opponent to under 24 points. An effort that would have won every game in previous seasons under Gus Malzahn. 

Just my opinion here, but if the offense had been more efficient, the defense would not have been on the field so long, leading this writer to believe, they would have played even better.

There must be better execution all around. Including the coaches.


Here's to hoping things get turned around quickly.

WAR EAGLE!

Great Expectations

I write this note to the Auburn Family, the players, and the coaches. 

We all entered this season with great expectations of what could be and what may be. Limitless opportunities in front of the fanbase, players and coaches. So many see the announcements on accolades not yet earned and talks of playoff seeding and what bowl we would be going to. And here we are heading into week 6 with all of them still achievable.

We now enter the gauntlet of our schedule and after enjoying four home games the next two out of three will be played in Mississippi against a couple of teams that pose real threats to where our team is measuring up today.

So what is the point? It is this, we all absolutely love winning but what is interesting this season is we are winning but we are not enjoying it.... On a day with a two and half hour delay that saw Penn State and Stanford. This morning we moved up in the AP Poll to #8 and the Coaches Poll to #9 so are wins more important than how you got there? I think the AP and Coaches have made their statement. They may not be pretty, but this team is fighting and finding a way to win and you could have the greatest team but if you do not win what good is it?

So, as this season continues try to enjoy the wins, the triumphs and have faith that the team is working on getting themselves more prepared based on what happened in the last game for the next game. I assure you, I know myself included I would not survive a single practice let alone a week of practices, would you? The last time I checked there was not a single Auburn Tiger to take the field and say "Geez, I think I am going to try and do really bad today." 

Here is the Gus Bus Ticket from last week! Yes, it has a nice green "W" stamp - keep them coming , no matter how we get them! 

My sincerest condolences and prayers for strength go out to the Thomas Family, friends and team in Pike County, GA where #32 Dylan Thomas a Junior Linebacker tragically suffered a fatal injury on the field. As well as I continue to pray and ask all of you also to pray for #6 Christion Abercrombie a Sophomore from Tennessee State University who suffered a severe head injury and still is in critical condition after collapsing on the sidelines after a play in the Vanderbilt game. 

Albrecht Dürer - Praying Hands, 1508

Enjoy the season as best you can and keep in perspective the things that truly matter in life. The tragedies in football this week should put this back in perspective for all of this and I know they did for me. In the end this is supposed to be fun and enjoyable. Embrace the sunshine and avoid the storms.

God Bless y'all, be safe and War Eagle!!!!