As I've read articles and opinions over the last half of the 2010 season, and checked out previews and pre-season Top 25 predictions for the upcoming campaign it appears to me that the media at some point decided that Auburn was Cam Newton and the eleven (well, actually ten) dwarfs.
Gene Wojo's comment that Auburn ran the "please Cam make something happen" offense is one example. The very real prospect that Auburn will be out of the first top 25 poll (thus becoming the only defending national champion not to be ranked in the season's first poll) reinforces it.
Without Cam, I truly believe Auburn wins eight to ten games last season. Losing him is a major blow, but I honestly believe the key to the upcoming season really lies with the dwarfs. We lost a lot of dwarfs and those losses will hurt more than anything.
Still to think that without Cam Auburn will go in the toilet is absurd. Auburn won eight games against basically the same scheduling setup in 2009 with the worst defense in Auburn history and a bronze statue at quarterback.
The defense will be better. The QB, whoever ends up with the job, will be just as capable as Chris Wooden Todd.
Are we going to repeat? FUCK no. But to write AU off as a four or five win team (as I hear every single day) is an affront. I hope it pisses them off.