" Few things give me more satisfaction than watching Nick Saban beg for that second back." - Casey Kelley
Sunday, October 19, 2014
Friday, October 17, 2014
Gimel President Stumping for Playing Time
One Auburn Tiger football player has really improved thus far through the 2014 campaign. Watch this video courtesy of Ryan Black and the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
Bulldogs Best the Auburn Tigers
When the highlight reel starts with a 1 yard loss, and ends with a pass completion, there just isn't much to say.
Mississippi State had their way with this Auburn team beating them 38-23 in Starkville, MS. Auburn giving the Bulldogs plenty of help via turnovers and penalties adds a sting to the wound. Knowing that the offense, which had looked so promising the week before, played with an ineptness that we had not seen previously, makes the matter worse.
Auburn's coaches have their hands full figuring out and implementing the corrections needed to get back to winning football.
There are several areas for concern. Nick Marshall has had a lot of balls tipped at the line of scrimmage this season. Partly due to play of our offensive line, and partly due to Nick looking down his receivers on short timing routes.
I had thoughts that Jeremy Johnson may have been a better fit at QB in that particular game, because of the Miss St defensive front. I am not saying he should replace Marshall as the Auburn QB, just that Miss St has a glaring weakness in their pass defense, and Johnson is a more polished passer than Marshall. After falling behind, was not the time to switch QB's. Plus, Marshall gave us the best chance to come from behind.
Our defense is much improved over last season, yet still lacks that killer instinct at the pass rush edge. We are seeing good penetration in the middle of the line, yet lack a threat from the outside.
Linebacker play is spotty. Sometimes it looks as though Frost and McKinzy are world beaters, then a lapse in judgement, and the results are big gains by the opponent.
Overall, there is room for improvement, and our best days are ahead of us. Coach Malzahn and his staff have work to do, and the road is only getting tougher. I believe in our coaches, now is the time to show what they are made of.
WAR EAGLE!
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Monday, October 13, 2014
Randy's Thoughts
Saturday was a difficult day for Auburn fans. If you have ever been to Starkville, you will realize that the stadium is designed for the home team's advantage. Along with the constant noise of the cowbells and the loud PA system, I believe that it is the loudest stadium in the SEC. I do feel that Auburn could have won that game on a neutral field or at home. My observations from this game are:
1) Auburn was unable to score consistently in the "Red Zone". I would prefer to see Auburn go for the TD instead of the field goal when they are close. If you do not score, you will at least leave the opposing team with bad field position.
2) I was impressed with "Roc" Thomas and I would like to see him get more playing time. I think that he would be good to use in a 2 back system with CAP. Also, "Roc" catches the ball well and I kept thinking screen pass or play action on Saturday.
3) Nick Marshall did not have his best day throwing the ball; however, there were some dropped balls and I noticed that Sammie Coates broke off his route at times. Perhaps Sammie and Nick were not on the same page on some plays. It does seem to me that Nick Marshall ad Duke Williams communicate well on the field.
4) Of course, I am sure that we have all seen the pass interference call on Sammie Coates. I personally feel that the officiating crew missed that call. It was obvious that the defender had his hands on Sammie Coates and he was just trying to go for the ball. Stan White even said that the penalty was for a possible horse collar at the end of the play before the ref announced offensive pass interference. That call was crucial to the momentum of the game in a hostile environment.
5) It is hard to overcome a 21 point deficit in the first quarter of a football game against a good football team. I do have to give the Auburn football team credit for staying in the game and not giving up. If a few calls and plays had gone Auburn's way, they would have won this football game.
It is time to move on and prepare for the remainder of this football season because Auburn is still in the playoff race.
War Eagle!
Friday, October 10, 2014
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