ESPN CFB Front Page: Auburn in it for the Long Haul This Time

[AUChizad]

http://espn.go.com/blog/sec/post/_/id/14934/auburn-in-it-for-the-long-haul-this-time

Auburn in it for the long haul this time
October, 4, 2010

By Chris Low
Even at 5-0 last season, I wasn’t completely sold on Auburn.

I knew how precariously thin the Tigers were. I knew how dependent they were on Ben Tate, and I knew how drained they would be on defense the second half of the season.

I also knew it was Gene Chizik’s first tour through the SEC as a head coach.

Well, here we are again, and this time, I’m sold on the Tigers.

So much so that I can very clearly see a scenario where that Alabama-Auburn game on Nov. 26 is for the Western Division championship.

Even if Auburn loses a game between now and then, winning against Alabama would give the Tigers the head-to-head tiebreaker and send them to Atlanta as the West representative.

What makes me think they can get to that point?

For one, Cameron Newton.

He gives the Tigers a dimension they didn’t have last season. For that matter, he gives them a dimension nobody else in the SEC has. With his ability to run and his big throwing arm, Newton makes Gus Malzahn’s offense much more difficult to defend than it was a year ago.

Having a 6-6, 250-pound quarterback who’s that hard to tackle is the great equalizer in college football, especially when he has marquee talent around him at all the skill positions.

It also doesn’t hurt that Auburn has a veteran offensive line. The Tigers lead the SEC in rushing and have only given up seven sacks in the first five games.

Defensively, junior tackle Nick Fairley has emerged as a difference-maker in the middle, and the Tigers didn’t have that last season.

Auburn has still allowed more plays in the passing game than defensive coordinator Ted Roof would like, but his main concern coming into this season was being better against the run.

Heading into the Kentucky game this Saturday, Auburn is second in the SEC in rushing defense, allowing just 92.8 yards per game.

The Tigers are also playing more guys on defense.

They felt like several of the players they signed in this class would help fill in the holes defensively, and that’s what has happened to this point.

Several times this season, Chizik has referenced the way his team keeps fighting no matter what.

You saw that in the second half of the Clemson game. You saw that in the second half of the South Carolina game.

That’s an intangible that will come in handy down the road, because the Tigers will almost certainly be in several more knock-down, drag-out battles in the second half.

Counting the overtime period against Clemson, Auburn has outscored its opponents 38-10 in the fourth quarter this season.

That’s what separates the championship teams from the good teams in this league – being able to get it done in the fourth quarter.

Auburn’s schedule should also work in its favor.

Following the trip to Kentucky, the Tigers (5-0, 2-0) get four of their next five games at home. Included are SEC games against Arkansas, LSU and Georgia.

And as has been the case the past three years, they get a bye the week before facing Alabama.

It’s always nice to get a bye before such a big rivalry, but the trade-off is having to play 11 straight weeks without a break.

The Tigers couldn’t cut it a year ago.

They’re more equipped to do so this time around.

[wesfau2]

Counting the overtime period against Clemson, Auburn has outscored its opponents 38-10 in the fourth quarter this season.

This is important.  Pay attention.

[boartitz]

This is important.  Pay attention.

That is where you win games, or you are so far behind that you get your stats padded by playing against the opponents 3rd and 4th strings. Same many.
Wins, baby. That's the only stat that means anything.

[djsimp]

This is important.  Pay attention.

You get it. This is one of the several things that I'm so excited about this year. The Auburn team last couldn't get it done in the second half, reasons of which I will not rehash again, that led to a horrible second half of the season. This team has been put to the test already and this alone is huge because of the mental aspect for the team. Along with the young guys starting to really gain the trust of the coaches, the mental toughness of this Auburn team will carry throughout the season.

[boartitz]

You get it. This is one of the several things that I'm so excited about this year. The Auburn team last couldn't get it done in the second half, reasons of which I will not rehash again, that led to a horrible second half of the season. This team has been put to the test already and this alone is huge because of the mental aspect for the team. Along with the young guys starting to really gain the trust of the coaches, the mental toughness of this Auburn team will carry throughout the season.

I like red koolaid.

[djsimp]

I like red koolaid.

Oh I know you buddy. I will go ahead and say that we will need to use every bit of this mental toughness against your hogs. It should be fun over at the woopussy next week.

[JR4AU]

I like red koolaid.

Someone poured some crimson in da hogz koolaid. 

[wesfau2]

You get it. This is one of the several things that I'm so excited about this year. The Auburn team last couldn't get it done in the second half, reasons of which I will not rehash again, that led to a horrible second half of the season. This team has been put to the test already and this alone is huge because of the mental aspect for the team. Along with the young guys starting to really gain the trust of the coaches, the mental toughness of this Auburn team will carry throughout the season.

I've noticed that the DL gets good pressure early in the game and the LBs/DBs are hitting HARD.

This results in two things as the game progresses: the QB gets banged up and/or is running scared and looking for the pressure; and the WRs are timid across the middle because they anticipate the big hit.

Our guys seem to be sensing the hesitation of the opponent and, like sharks sniffing blood, swarm and attack in the 4th quarter.

Scheme, added depth, who knows what the cause?  But I'll take it.

[Snaggletiger]

I've noticed that the DL gets good pressure early in the game and the LBs/DBs are hitting HARD.

This results in two things as the game progresses: the QB gets banged up and/or is running scared and looking for the pressure; and the WRs are timid across the middle because they anticipate the big hit.

Our guys seem to be sensing the hesitation of the opponent and, like sharks sniffing blood, swarm and attack in the 4th quarter.

Scheme, added depth, who knows what the cause?  But I'll take it.

What you said.  Now, shouldn't you be pondering the fate of some hardened criminal? (Sorry, alleged criminal)

[wesfau2]

What you said.  Now, shouldn't you be pondering the fate of some hardened criminal? (Sorry, alleged criminal)

I was excused for being way too awesome.  It was a distraction to the other jurors, the defendant, court reporter and the judge.

[Snaggletiger]

I was excused for being way too awesome.  It was a distraction to the other jurors, the defendant, court reporter and the judge.

Testify