I haven't really seen much "sky is falling" posts around the web nor have I heard anyone say Auburn is out of it. I have however heard a lot of "Miss State and Ole Miss are unstoppable" conversation, and I just want everyone to remember that 16 days ago, Miss State, Ole Miss, TCU, and Arizona were just some good teams that could make noise in their conferences. On the flip side, 16 days ago, Georgia, Texas A&M, Oregon, and Alabama were all worthy of being ranked #1. Oh and Kenny Hill had the Heisman in the bag.
Point is, shit changes and shit changes quickly. Especially as hype and momentum deteriorate throughout the grind of the season.
Auburn
- We weren't as bad as we looked. We started out crushing them on a great defensive 3 and out, and then proceeded to throw an interception. They scored. Then we got the ball back and went pretty much to the same play as before and Duke got popped and he fumbled the ball. They scored.
- But we were pretty bad. When it was 14-0, I was still really optimistic. Maybe even more so than when it was 0-0. I had seen our defense play well already. Duke Williams was wide fucking open on the first interception that was a tipped ball. The second fumble was more of a fluke. By the time it was 14-0, their stadium was rocking, their sidelines were dancing like morons, and Auburn still had 57 minutes of game time to put together a comeback.
- And that's when the shit show happened. Miss State goes up 21-0, and then we get FOUR FUCKING CHANCES IN THE FIRST HALF TO SCORE TOUCHDOWNS. It wasn't even red zone opportunities, it was goal line opportunities. We came away with 13 points. I don't know what to criticize. Play calling? Not really. Players executing? Perhaps. Offensive line? Most likely. I don't really know, but I do know that a Gus Malzahn offense with weapons all over the field has to figure out how to score touchdowns when it is less than ten yards from the endzone.
- The game very easily could have been 28-21 at the half, but it wasn't. Our team was off, mostly the center of our offensive line. We had zero push and outside of a few rare breakaways, CAP was limited for most of the game.
- I thought considering the dilemma our offense caused, the defense played well. Miss State is a good team with a really good quarterback that can run. I wouldn't have been upset if we gave up 24 points to them. But our offense has to come away with more than 23 after having four red zone attempts in the first half alone. And our offense can't gift them 14 points in the first three minutes of the game.
- I'm glad we have a bye-week. Nothing is anywhere near over. The only concern I have is that in our two away games this season, we've come out really flat. Our three remaining away games are @Ole Miss, @Georgia, and @Alabama. Ouch.
Miss State
- Could win the SEC West. I don't really think they will. But they could.
- Dak Prescott very well could win the Heisman. He keeps breaking off on long runs in every game and hitting some nice passes, he'll win it. But Cam Newton he is not. I'm sorry Gary and anyone else making the comparison, he's good, but Cam was all-timer good. Dak's going to have to do a lot more to get into the upper tier section of college football legends.
- They were still Miss State. Even though they had us by the throat, we were still in position to score 28 points in the first half. The fake punt, the Dak interceptions, the muffed punt return - I still a lot of the same ole Miss State blunders from that team.
- I don't think Miss State beats Ole Miss. I think they could struggle with Kentucky. But unfortunately, I don't know if I see them losing two games this season.
Alabama
- Sucks. Blows monkey dick.
- Remember when I said Amari Cooper disappears every year? To not count on him as a Heisman candidate? He had 2 catches for 22 yards. 0 touchdowns.
- Even Alabama's defense looked bad. If Arkansas had any semblance of a real quarterback, they win this game going away.
Ole Miss
- Land Sharks look legit. Great tackling all around. That's what I noticed most about them. Texas A&M did some good things in the game, but Ole Miss was always right there to put them on the ground and put them on the ground hard. Takes a tough team to compete against that. Texas A&M is not tough.
Texas A&M
- Kenny Hill just isn't that great. He's often inaccurate, makes ill-advised throws, and tries to do much with his legs. With A&M's defense being Pac 12 worthy, he has to make sure he doesn't put them in a bad position, and often, he's putting them in a bad position.
Baylor-TCU
- Basketball season starts next month, guys. I think you forgot the rules to football. You are allowed to tackle.
College Football Playoff Implications
- I think we really get to bitch this week. Alabama lost to Ole Miss @Ole Miss and dropped to #7. Alabama has done nothing this year outside of looking good at home in the 2nd half against an absolutely terrible Florida team. Where does Auburn drop?
I imagine the top ten should look something like this:
1. Florida State
2. Miss State (because of hype)
3. Ole Miss (should be #2)
4. Baylor
5. Notre Dame
6. Auburn
7. Michigan State
8. Alabama
9. Oklahoma
10. Oregon
But I get the feeling it's going to look like this:
1. Florida State
2. Miss State
3. Ole Miss
4. Baylor
5. Notre Dame
6. Alabama (because they didn't lose)
7. Michigan State (because their only loss is the almighty Oregon Ducks)
8. Oklahoma (because they beat Texas in a rivalry game!1!1!!!)
9. Oregon (the almighty mighty Ducks)
10. Georgia (we knew they were great all along! and without Gurley!)
11. Auburn