http://auburn.247sports.com/Article/Phillips-blog-Myths-and-reality-31095If you follow Auburn football for the past 10 months or so, you’ve heard a lot of things stated as facts. And a lot of those things aren’t facts.
We’re not talking about NCAA rumors today, though we can tell you again with total confidence that Auburn has not received a preliminary let of investigation at any time since Jay Jacobs became athletics director in early 2005.
Anyway, here is a look at a few of the myths and the facts:
Myth: Alabama and LSU have dominated the SEC West in recent seasons.
Fact: Since 2000, LSU has been to four championship games, Auburn three, Alabama two and Arkansas two. LSU has won three league championships, Auburn two and Alabama one.
Myth: Auburn is a party crasher among the nation’s elite.
Fact: SEC teams have had five perfect seasons in the past 20 years. Auburn has three of them.
Myth: Defensive tackle Nick Fairley was a dirty player.
Fact: He was called for three personal foul penalties in 14 games.
Myth: Cam Newton was not an accurate passer.
Fact: That one always mystified me. He completed 68 percent of his passes, including his share of deep balls.
Myth: Tommy Tuberville’s six-game Iron Bowl winning streak came against only against down-and-out Alabama teams.
Fact: Two of the six Alabama teams Tuberville beat were 10-game winners (2002, 2005). By comparison, Alabama’s nine-game Iron Bowl winning streak over Auburn from 1973-1981 included only two wins over Auburn teams with eight wins or more.
Myth: Quarterbacks don’t have to read the defense in Gus Malzahn’s offense.
Fact: More responsibility is put on the quarterback in Malzahn’s offense than in most college offenses.
Myth: Auburn is going to be very young on the offensive line this season.
Fact: The Tigers are going to lack game experience, but they are likely to have three seniors and a junior in the starting five.
Myth: Phillip Marshall is a young, swashbuckling sports writer.
Fact: He’s older than dirt and looks the part.