Thoughts - Week 3

[WiregrassTiger]

I didn't think White was awful. He was maybe serviceable with better blocking and play calling. But I still saw the same batted ball at the line, miss of a wide open guy and no touch on a short pass. I think a 2 QB system is our only hope but I honestly think we miss Grimes coaching OL a lot too.

If we don't see improved play calling, and to our players strengths as mentioned by Snags, then it won't matter. We will easily lose our remaining conference games.

It is what it is.

[RWS]

If Gus can ugly his way to 8 wins, then I'm good with him getting a 5th year. However, he needs to be given the Tuberville treatment and demand that a new O.C. brought in.

Outsider looking in here, but just from watching some games, are you sure that Gus isn't the one calling plays? You guys may have an OC, and maybe he's doing something, but it really seems like Gus is the one calling the plays.  He's always studying a clipboard and shouting shit into the headset, and going crazy when the offense is on the field.  I don't see him doing that when the defense is out there.  I don't think he has the type of personality that allows him to let go of "his" offense.  You could have anyone you like as an OC, but I think the offense would look the same regardless.

If JFIII were more developed, he could be dangerous.  He seems athletic as fuck, but I guess he has a limited playbook?  Which I also don't understand seeing as how is is a JUCO guy.  Defense is outstanding, especially DL.  I think with the right QB you guys are contending for the West.

[bgreene]

For me, it's simple.  He's boxed himself in to running the read option style offense without a read option QB. That's not what he ran at Tulsa and they were #1 in the nation in offense 2 straight years.  Not what he ran with sloth footed Chris Todd and they set what at the time were AU records.  Not even remotely the same offense now.  Remember what a throw to the TE looks like?  Remember wheel routes.  How effective was that pump fake/fly route? 

He used to be known for adapting his offense to his talent.  K listed several QB's as "Pro style", which included Sean White.  Why are we running the same offense with Sean as we did with Nick?  There is no "option" in read option.  The defense knows on 94.6% of the running plays that the back is getting it.  And they know on 94.6% of the first down plays, that's exactly what's called.  You can look damn skippy when you're physically superior to the Red Puppies and can get 7, 8, 10, 15 yards a pop up the middle.  Do whatever the hell you want.  When you're not physically superior to your opponent, Clemson and TA&M, that shit don't work when they know it's coming. 

I said, along with so many others, that had we stuck with one QB and run the O we did against ASU, we'd have beaten Clemson.  I'm 100% certain now that we wouldn't have.  They, like TA&M, would have known exactly what we were running on every single first down.  So, instead of 2nd and 1 against ASU, we would have been in 2nd and 10 or 11 like we were last night, all freakin' night.

Sean White is a good QB.  He is NOT a read option QB.  He's Chris Todd better wheels.  Malzahn has either become too stubborn or too lazy to adjust his offense to fit the things his QB can do.  Cam and Nick aren't on the roster anymore, Gus.

I firmly believe if we stop running the read option and turn White loose, we can win ball games. We have all the talent we just don't have the talent at play calling. It will never happen, but if he will fire Lash and get a decent OC we could see just how talented this offense is.

[Snaggletiger]

I firmly believe if we stop running the read option and turn White loose, we can win ball games. We have all the talent we just don't have the talent at play calling. It will never happen, but if he will fire Lash and get a decent OC we could see just how talented this offense is.

Your words have truth, pale face.




You are white, aren't you?

[bgreene]

Your words have truth, pale face.




You are white, aren't you?

I am a rare breed, a "ginga ninja". That's as pale faced as can be.

[CCTAU]

I firmly believe if we stop running the read option and turn White loose, we can win ball games. We have all the talent we just don't have the talent at play calling. It will never happen, but if he will fire Lash and get a decent OC we could see just how talented this offense is.

I don't think I have seen a better WR corps here at AU in a long time. We need to use them.

[dallaswareagle]

I don't think I have seen a better WR corps here at AU in a long time. We need to use them.

That would take away from the fullback spinny play.

[Kaos]

Outsider looking in here, but just from watching some games, are you sure that Gus isn't the one calling plays? You guys may have an OC, and maybe he's doing something, but it really seems like Gus is the one calling the plays.  He's always studying a clipboard and shouting shit into the headset, and going crazy when the offense is on the field.  I don't see him doing that when the defense is out there.  I don't think he has the type of personality that allows him to let go of "his" offense.  You could have anyone you like as an OC, but I think the offense would look the same regardless.

If JFIII were more developed, he could be dangerous.  He seems athletic as fuck, but I guess he has a limited playbook?  Which I also don't understand seeing as how is is a JUCO guy.  Defense is outstanding, especially DL.  I think with the right QB you guys are contending for the West.

[AUChizad]

I think we're staring at 5-7. We'll beat Vandy. Might beat Miss State. We'll beat LA Monroe and Alabama A&M by 50 because we are an SEC program with loads of talent.

Not so fast my friend. Are you aware that Vandy has a 2 game win streak on us currently? I know, I also blocked out 2012 as most victims of trauma do.

I think 4 is most likely and 3 is still more likely than 5.

[Kaos]

Not so fast my friend. Are you aware that Vandy has a 2 game win streak on us currently? I know, I also blocked out 2012 as most victims of trauma do.

I think 4 is most likely and 3 is still more likely than 5.

When you give up, you give up hard. 

[AUChizad]

When you give up, you give up hard.

Not sure when people will learn that I am usually right, and I'm for damn sure consistent.

I hate to be the Eeyore, but I think we top 2012 in shittiness.

Between the QB situation, the RB situation, the shaky last couple of seasons, and the brutal schedule...

3-9. Clemson destroys our confidence with a 30+ point beatdown. We "rally" by squeaking past Arkansas State. Lose to A&M & LSU two weeks in a row at home with LSU embarassing us. "Rally" again by narrowly beating LaMo. Lose to MSU. Return from the bye and lose maybe a close one to Arkansas, probably as a direct result of one really stupid mistake. Lose to Old Miss. Are so demoralized by a 2-7 record at this point, we drop the Vandy game. Georgia beats us into liquid. Our 2nd team is able to beat Alabama A&M in our only convincing win of the year. Then Alabama runs the score up 70something to nothing. Gus is fired.

I hope I'm wrong.

[Kaos]

Not sure when people will learn that I am usually right, and I'm for damn sure consistent.

No, I'm usually right.  Like 98% in my first impression.  Then I get talked out of it.  But come back around. 

Chizik.  Hat or cattle? 

[Snaggletiger]

We'll never, ever be 2012 shittiness level again.  Why?  Because that team had a good bit of talent.  But, they did what I've never seen an Auburn football team do.  They quit. Totally stooped playing after the LSU game.  Stopped caring.  Stopped trying.

[AUChizad]

We'll never, ever be 2012 shittiness level again.  Why?  Because that team had a good bit of talent.  But, they did what I've never seen an Auburn football team do.  They quit. Totally stooped playing after the LSU game.  Stopped caring.  Stopped trying.

What makes you think they will never ever do that again?

[GH2001]

What makes you think they will never ever do that again?

We aren't quitting this year. It's a lot of silliness and dysfunction on play calling. But this team isn't at that level of 12. That year we had what, 4/5 blowouts of 30 points of more? Aggie game in 12 was like 63-7 or something.

[GH2001]

We'll never, ever be 2012 shittiness level again.  Why?  Because that team had a good bit of talent.  But, they did what I've never seen an Auburn football team do.  They quit. Totally stooped playing after the LSU game.  Stopped caring.  Stopped trying.

They needed a quality "care" coach. I know someone who cares. Could have taught them boys a thing or two.

[Townhallsavoy]

We aren't quitting this year. It's a lot of silliness and dysfunction on play calling. But this team isn't at that level of 12. That year we had what, 4/5 blowouts of 30 points of more? Aggie game in 12 was like 63-7 or something.

2012 didn't give up until halfway through the season.

We lost by 7 to Clemson to open the season. By 18 to Miss State in week two. By 2 to LSU. Barely beat LA Monroe in OT.

2012 started out worse than 2016, but all 2016 has is a blowout over Arkansas State. Other than that, it's eerily similar. I mean, we scored a very late touchdown against A&M. Could have been a 7 point loss to Clemson and 19 point loss to our first SEC game - just like 2012.

The 2012 team gave up when we lost to Vandy @Vandy. It was until after that game did we start getting pantsed by every team we played except for New West Technical State College or whoever we played that year.

I don't think this team gives up mostly because the defense at least has NFL talent on it. Those guys will play hard to earn a paycheck on Sundays, so we'll never see 49-0 in the Iron Bowl again.

But it's definitely a possibility. This is two years in a row that these kids busted their ass in the offseason only to realize their coaching staff completely let them down in preparing them for competition.

If we lose to LSU and Miss State to start 2-4 with @Ole Miss, @Georgia, and @Alabama still left on the schedule, we're in big trouble.

[GH2001]

2012 didn't give up until halfway through the season.

We lost by 7 to Clemson to open the season. By 18 to Miss State in week two. By 2 to LSU. Barely beat LA Monroe in OT.

2012 started out worse than 2016, but all 2016 has is a blowout over Arkansas State. Other than that, it's eerily similar. I mean, we scored a very late touchdown against A&M. Could have been a 7 point loss to Clemson and 19 point loss to our first SEC game - just like 2012.

The 2012 team gave up when we lost to Vandy @Vandy. It was until after that game did we start getting pantsed by every team we played except for New West Technical State College or whoever we played that year.

I don't think this team gives up mostly because the defense at least has NFL talent on it. Those guys will play hard to earn a paycheck on Sundays, so we'll never see 49-0 in the Iron Bowl again.

But it's definitely a possibility. This is two years in a row that these kids busted their ass in the offseason only to realize their coaching staff completely let them down in preparing them for competition.

If we lose to LSU and Miss State to start 2-4 with @Ole Miss, @Georgia, and @Alabama still left on the schedule, we're in big trouble.

Lot of assumptions in there. Not ready to compare them yet. If it plays out the same way sure. As much as Gus looks confused on play calling, the entire team isn't inept. And I think he CAN actually coach unlike chizik who I just don't think ever had it.