First the bad:
- As usual, where did Jovon Robinson go? I just don't get it. NO ONE can run on Alabama...except Jovon Robinson. So let's not give him the ball in the 2nd half.
- I sincerely believe if the defense had tackled Coker before his 14 yard scramble to set up 4th and 1 and then tackled Coker before he could lob a hail mary for a touchdown that Auburn would have won the game.
- The embarrassing actions of Will Muschamp on the sideline. Sorry, I know it was well-deserved, but he is not the head coach. Head coaches can cuss and chew out refs. Not assistants. He was completely out of line ESPECIALLY when he decided to continue jawing at the guy and then go onto the field like he was going to fight.
- Also embarrassing was our radio announcers. I know they're supposed to be homers, and that's fine. But bitching about the SEC offices being in Birmingham and lying about penalty yards in the history of the Iron Bowl makes Auburn look bad. Get out of here with that shit.
The Good
- So JJ sucks, but he didn't give the game away. He played his ass off, unscared, unintimidated and did all he could possibly do to help us compete.
- The players as a whole gave it their all. Could have easily given up at some point, and they fought all the way til the end. Really made me proud. At halftime I told my wife that I didn't care what happened in the 2nd half; I would be proud of this game no matter what.
- The defense has really improved. Will Muschamp was worth the cost, and I really hope he stays for next season.
The Shit
- Derrick Henry is a beast. I thought he was one of the more overrated players in SEC history a few weeks ago, but the guy has put that shitty offense on his back and carried them to the championship game. He somehow ALWAYS falls forward, and his height gets him an extra two-three yards every time. He's near the SEC rushing record and has done it on about 60 less carries. I think he'll win the Heisman. He may deserve it, though I personally believe that Deshaun Watson is the more dynamic, important player.
- Jovon Robinson not getting carries in the 2nd half. I think Robinson should get 45 carries as well. Why the fuck not? He has explosive acceleration and could easily have averaged 5.5 yards a carry yesterday. Maybe that doesn't win us the game, but Jesus Christ the guy has more ability to run the football than most in the entire NCAA.
- One touchdown. That's what Gus Malzahn's vaunted offense has gotten us in our last four SEC games. One touchdown each. I forgive it against Alabama. I do not forgive it in the others.
- I hope Sean White comes back healthy for the bowl game and lights it up. But honestly, I'm not expecting him to. Our quarterback development is not at an SEC level. I know many were impressed by White, but I wasn't. Not really. He's better than Jeremy Johnson. That's not saying much. He needs to put on a show against a good opponent.
Here's to next season. I guess.
EDIT - I want to add that I don't think yesterday was a bad loss. We've had a lot of bad losses over the past 7 seasons. But when I say that I miss Tuberville, I mean that I miss being competitive even when we lose. Seems like we've looked like limp dicks in most of our losses, even if the score is kinda close. We played them well and played them hard, and I wasn't mad at all when the game was over.