a question to take seriously at the end.
I think if you look back over the comments on this board and on the talk shows I've heard, I believe AU fans are, for the most part, very cautiously optimistic. Hey, right now we're all undefeated...except Miami. The U has lost every game this year. And Flippee Franks is a bitch.
First off, I'm pumped to see what Bo Nix can do and see if he will be the man at AU for the next few years. I fully accept that he's a true freshman playing in the toughest conference against one of the toughest schedules in the nation. My son, who is 18, and I were watching the game this past Saturday and we started talking about AU/Ducks(They're just so fast) in Jerry World. He looked at me and said, "Me and Bo Nix are the same age."
Holy shit, we're in trouble!
I say that to point out that even if Nix turns out to be the real deal, there will be many bumps in the road to start with. No way that won't be the case. However, I'm ready to see what guys like Nix and Pappoe and DJ Williams etc. can do this year because they're the future. And we are definitely going to have to put a lot of guys in the rotations at all positions to make sure there even is a future. With the entire O-line leaving (Not sure if it's 3 or 5), basically the entire D-line and most of the defensive backfield gone, developing guys along the way this season is crucial. The good thing is they will develop against the best on the biggest stages.
Enough about that. Here's to some Auburn Football 2019 style.
Now, to Malzahn and the future. The unfortunate thing is that even if Malzahn does a great job this year, we could still very easily lose 4-5 games. I haven't seen a schedule like this since 83' when we played a ridiculous number of top 10 teams. Personally, I think Auburn has painted itself into a corner. A corner waaaayyy back in the building...probably down in the basement somewhere. I may be off in my numbers but I believe after this year, the buyout is $27 million. Either way, it's a ridiculous amount of money and totally unnecessary. But, that's another topic for another thread.
The thing that's a little disturbing is to hear more than a few fans say, "If he loses 4 or 5 games, he's gone." As if Auburn is in any position to just stroke a check for $27 million to get rid of an employee. Granted, I know it's not that simple. It would be paid out over time. But it would still be one helluva painful check to write every year.
Okay, I want you to hear me now but believe me last Thursday. I am NOT advocating for getting rid of Malzahn before the season even starts. While I have very little faith in the man, I hope he turns it around and kicks err'body's ass up in here. I NEVER pull for us to lose for any reason. But having said that....What if????
So here's the question. And I want you to step back and think about it before you whip out that Creed and thump it like you're looking at gay, midget porn.
Would you hire Urban Meyer?
Whaaaaaaaaat??? Oh hell no. You're crazy as hell. He's a piece of shit. I would never let that bitch set foot on campus.
Okay, deep breaths. Breeeathe. Yes, the guy is turd. Yes, he's walked away from 2 major programs. The guy lied. The guy is also 187-32 in his career. 12-3 in bowls and 3 Natties. Know anyone else like that? Hmmmm....let's see. That all sounds so familiar. I think there may be a statue just put up for this other coach and he'll easily go down as the greatest college coach of all time.
We can't sell our souls to the devil just for wins, can we? Here's a little hint to help you out. Do ya' love you some Bruce Pearl? Absolutely! We all do. Outside of Auburn....nnnnnnot so much. In many circles, he's thought of as the face of everything wrong with college basketball. He cheated. He lied. Auburn is "waiting on that letter from the NCAA" as we speak. But he's ours and he's put Auburn basketball on the map for the first time in forever. So, the rest of the country are just a bunch of haters.
Urban's a bitch. So is Saban. But neither have put their programs in NCAA hot water. And make no mistake. He's getting back into coaching after a year behind the mic. And I guaran-damn-tee you that 90% of the programs around the country would jump at the chance to have him for 6-7 years. Would we be holier than thou and go find us another Bowden/Chizik/Gus?