Corey Grant: Return Specialist/Dream Killer

Many players had significant impact on the game vs the Volunteers. Corey Grant's return of the second half kickoff was the one play that took all the air out of the Tennessee sails. Thus he killed any dreams the fans may have had of a comeback.

 Here is Corey talking with the media after the game.



Corey Gran Interview

Corey Grant Highlight

Auburn vs Tennessee Highlights

 Highlights from Auburn Athletics AUHD

 

My Thoughts: AU vs UT

 
 Our Tigers continue to impress. After a bizarre start to the game, the Auburn offense got in rhythm in the second quarter, and seemingly stepped on the gas pedal to pull away from the home standing Volunteers.
Auburn opened the game with pass plays, which caught everyone by surprise, including it seems, some of the Tiger receivers. A perfectly thrown ball by Nick Marshall, slipped through the hands of one of the wide outs that would have been a first down. 
 Purely a guess on my part, but it looked like the play calling was by design, thinking the Vols would stack the box against the run and try to stifle the high powered Auburn running attack. The best laid plans.... On the next Auburn possession that passing game would work to perfection as Marshall hit C.J. Uzomah in stride on the wheel route for a touchdown.
A Nick Marshall miscue that resulted in a pick six, brought the score closer together. But Tennessee's defense could not figure out the "read option" game of Auburn's.
 Once the Tiger coaches figured out what UT was doing defensively, it was a simple matter of executing. It took an amazing two play drive of 75 yards to even the score and then Auburn just sped away.
 The only time Auburn didn't score in the red zone, was when the Tigers took a knee to end the game.



 A defensive stop to force a punt and Auburn's Chris Davis took it to the house. Great blocking and a huge lane opened up for Davis, and the Senior took advantage of it by running for the touchdown.

 The defense continued its bend but don't break ways. Frustratingly, there were entirely too many missed tackles between the twenty yard lines in the first half. Once inside the red zone however, the Tigers became very stingy with yardage and points allowed.
History was made in this game. After over 100 years of playing football an Auburn team returned a punt and a kick off for a touchdown in the same game. 
 Overall, this Auburn team went on the road for a second straight week, and vanquished their foe with very little use of their passing game.  The Tigers practically dared the opposing teams to stop the run. They could not.
 Next week is the oldest rivalry in the South, Georgia week. Nothing else needs to be on the minds of the players. Something tells me, they won't be looking past this game. Our Tigers have been prepared each and every week, and I see no reason to think they won't be next Saturday as the Bulldogs come to town.

Verizon Locker Room Report
Gus Malzahn Post Game

Nicholls State at Auburn MBB highlights

Aubie 2013-2014 Highlights

Song's In My Head

When I look back over the season of expectations...some were exceeded and some dashed on the rocks of injuries, turnovers and poor coaching decisions.  But here are a few songs have stuck in my head over the course of 10 weeks of SEC football:

1. South Carolina - Sandstorm by Darude (this blares across Williams-Brice Stadium on Gamecock Saturday's)

2.  Missouri - Whoomp! (There it is) by Tag Team (Who knew?)

3.  Texas A&M - Tubthumping by Chumbawumba (...I get knocked down, but I get up again..)

4. Mississippi State - Hit the Road Jack by Ray Charles (I think they may be cueing this up in StarkVegas)

5. Arkansas - Allstar by Smashmouth (...looking kind of dumb with his finger and his thumb In the shape of an "L" on his forehead)

6. Georgia - Crazy Train by Ozzy Osbourne (...That's what we've become, inheriting troubles, I'm mentally numb! Crazy, I just cannot bear! I'm living with something' that just isn't fair!)

7. Auburn - Welcome to the Jungle by Guns N' Roses (yep, I'm still waiting for that this to be blaring a 120 decibels or higher as the team enters Jordan-Hare through the fire extinguisher fog)

8. LSU - Lose Yourself by Eminem (You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow this opportunity comes once in a lifetime)

9. Florida - We're Not Gonna Take It by Twisted Sister (I think Muschamp's welcome mat in Gainesville is slowly being pulled out from under his feet!)

10. Alabama - Enter Sandman by Metallica (Until someone stops them, they are the Mariano Rivera of college football. 3 of the last 4 National Titles reside in Tuscaloosa and 2014 may bring Number 4)

11.  Ole Miss - One Shining Moment by Luther Vandross (Wins over Texas in Austin and LSU at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford has given Hugh Freeze his One Shining Moment in 2013)

12.  Vanderbilt - Don't Stop Believin' by Journey (Coach James Franklin has kept the Anchor Down Nation believing...hope he stays in Nashville.  Any place else my spell big-time trouble.)

13.  Tennessee - Another One Bites the Dust by Queen (High expectations for Butch Jones did materialize into more wins in one season than Derrick Dooley's tenure in Knoxville.  But, still not up to Vol Nation standards...hence, Another One (losing season) Bites the Dust).

14.  Kentucky - Let's Get it Started by Black-eyed Peas (after seeing how Florida State is performing this year, Mark Stoops may be wishing he was back in Tallahassee.  But, he is in Lexington and trying his best to "Get It Started" in the baskeball crazy center of the universe...Good Luck!)

Auburn Sports Report Nov 7

AU vs Tennessee Poem 2013

Let's give thanks for our great Auburn Tigers; And for this brand new Auburn Day! Once again it is fun to watch Tiger Football; And look forward to Saturdays!! Auburn Men say they're here by design, And Family Honor and pride is what's at Stake! So they use their talents to bring greatness to Auburn; Knowing that God does not make mistakes!! They have conquered many worthy opponents; And have disturbed their happy homes!!, Leaving behind a trail of destruction Almost everywhere they have gone!! To some they are known as "Home Wreckers"!, While others call their game “Wrecking Ball”!! They are intent to uphold their reputation , By remaining Fearless and standing tall!!!! This Saturday morning in Knoxville will be no different, When we conquer The Vols of Tennessee!! Our Tigers will scratch and climb over Ole Rocky Top; Claiming another AUBURN TIGER Victory!!!!! WAR EAGLE!!!!!!!!! poetic tiger https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Poetic-Tiger/137682986293169 Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad

Too Early to Project SEC Bowl Positioning? Maybe Not

Auburn fans are keeping a sharp eye on the Bowl scenario

 In looking around at the so-called "National Pundits", I see a strange wish, if I may dare, centered in the SEC.  Sites like Bleacher Report and CBSSports.com (see: Jerry Palm) seem to think that Tennessee is going to be the 11th SEC team to round out the bowl tie-ins.  I did some amateur prognostication of my own and, frankly, I'm not buying it.  Here is what the "Big Dogs" seem to see the way it will shake out:

Alabama - BCS National Title Game
Texas A&M - (BCS) Sugar Bowl
South Carolina - Capital One Bowl
Ole Miss - Chik-fil-A Bowl
LSU - Cottom Bowl
Florida - Outback Bowl
Vanderbilt - Music City Bowl
Georgia - Gator Bowl
Mississippi State - BBVA/Compass Bowl
Tennessee - AdvoCare V100 Bowl
Auburn - Liberty Bowl

While I believe that these guys are giving way too many kudos to Texas A & M, LSU and Florida and have paid no attention to Auburn or Missouri....SERIOUSLY? The Liberty Bowl?

I may be a rank amateur, but here is how I see it:

Alabama (yes, I know) - BCS National Title Game
Missouri (Finish 11-2) - (BCS) Sugar Bowl
Auburn (10-2) - Capital One Bowl
South Carolina (9-3) - Outback Bowl
Texas A & M (9-3) - Cotton Bowl (a natural fit - home crowd draw)
Georgia (8-4) - Chick-fil-A (again, win/win - home state crowd)
LSU (8-4) - Gator Bowl (how the mighty have fallen)
Ole Miss (8-4) - Music City Bowl
Vanderbilt (7-5) - Liberty Bowl
Florida (6-6) - BBVA/Compass Bowl

From where I sit, it doesn't appear that an SEC team will be spending New Years Eve in Shreveport, LA. The non-bowl eligible SEC teams will be: Mississippi State (5-7), Tennessee (4-8), Kentucky (3-9) and Arkansas (3-9).

Even without the 11th team, the "Bowl Season" is a very profitable time for SEC Commissioner  Mike Slive and the Presidents of the 14 member institutions.  This year, the SEC stands to collect upwards of $30 million in Bowl payouts.  That's a little over $2 mil per school.  Not bad, doc!!!

Hold your breath for the next 3 weeks, it's gonna be interesting...AND FUN!!!!

Auburn Head FB Coach Gus Malzahn talks Tennessee