I know I did this all season, and you all might hate it. But this is like my own personal blog. Read it and discuss or just ignore.
Auburn...
- This recruiting class is exactly what our program needed. You might dislike Chizik and his coaching. You might think his coaching staff is more fit for cartoons, but Auburn needed genuine good news. We needed to feel like we still belonged. We were close to being just like Alabama fans circa 2002-2008. It was almost to the point where we talked of the good ole days in order to ignore what was happening in the present. This class reinstilled life into a program that very well could have fallen off the deep end.
- Now what? Now Chizik really gets to prove himself. The debate was loud and clear. Side A said Tuberville would have done just as well if not better in 2009 and would have restored things with a good offensive coordinator hire. Side B said Chizik and company were the answer, but Tuberville left him without recruits. Side B said Chizik would get talent in to fix the depth issues. And he has. The talent is there. The debate doesn't matter anymore. It's all about Chizik's ability to win.
- So how much winning should we expect? I say a 9 win season next year is the minimum. 10-3 with the bowl win. Anything less is unacceptable. Tuberville might have left the cupboard bare with backups and young guys, but there's plenty of talent leftover from the 2007 class. Consider the following:
Mario Fannin
Terrell Zachary
Darvin Adams
Lee Ziemba
Ryan Pugh
Byron Isom
Mike Berry
Michael Goggans
Craig Stevens
Josh Bynes
Eltoro Freeman
Neiko Thorpe
Wes Byrum
Those are all potential starters, leaders, and playmakers that were recruited to Auburn by Tommy Tuberville. We all will say those names when speaking of the potential success of next season. Now, Chizik can plug in his recruits for depth and to fix weak spots.
There's no reason to think we can't be the 3rd best team in the SEC next season. If quarterback pans out, I see no reason why we shouldn't be the West representative in the SECCG.
- Why are my expectations so high? Well...numerous reasons.
Reason 1 - Gus Malzahn is heralded as a great coordinator. We put up gawdy numbers, but our offense fizzled out when it counted most. See 1st half @Arkansas; entire game @LSU; 2nd half against Kentucky; 2 half against Georgia; 2nd half against Alabama.
Supposedly, Malzahn was hindered by lack of talent and experience. After two years worth of practice, the offense should be much more consistent. We no longer should see our offense blow up the score board on the first two possessions and then do absolutely nothing for the rest of the game. We should be a force to deal with, and Malzahn also should show improvement with in-game adjustments.
Reason 2 - Gene Chizik was a great coordinator. If Chizik was responsible for the defenses at Auburn in 2004 and Texas in 2005, then he should have the ability to greatly improve our defense after a season's worth of experience. The secondary needs to have tighter coverage; the defensive needs to stop getting reached; and the linebackers need to be in position every snap. Most importantly, our ability to tackle the ball carrier should be exponentially better. That's all coaching. Whether or not the guys have the physical ability to do it, well, that's where reason 3 comes in.
Reason 3 - Recruiting. Some might say recruiting is nebulous. I think it's vital when forming a championship caliber team. The rankings often hold true as opposed to being false. These recruits must be instant impact players:
1. Cameron Newton - Athleticism alone, he will upgrade the offense. The option becomes a real factor, and every time the coverage is too tight, he's a serious threat to take off. Athletes at QB might not always be the best leaders on the field, but they can cause big plays that lead to big victories. Newton has the tools. He HAS to come through. He's older with more experience. He's been coached by Meyer, Mullen, and soon Malzahn. He worked with Tebow. There's no reason not to expect him to take the starting job and be an asset to the offense.
2. Michael Dyer - Tremendous prospect. Rivals has not been wrong on very many 5 star running backs. Dyer is the perfect fit to complement Aycock. Aycock hasn't taken a snap yet, so I think it would be great to have a 1-2 punch. Throw in the speed of McCalleb and you've got a great running game.
3. Rozell Gayden - We need a right tackle, and Gayden has been on campus for over a month. He'll have the offense down by spring and his physical ability should get him the starting spot. I don't think Shon Coleman wins the right tackle position due to inexperience and the fact that he would be perfectly groomed to step in at left tackle in 2011 after being redshirted.
4. Jeffrey Whitaker - We need desperately need help on the defensive interior. Whitaker brings size and strength (voted strongest recruit in the country by Rivals). He might not be ready to be a starter, but he'll need to contribute. Depth issues and all.
5. Corey Lemonier/Joel Bonomolo - These two guys can immediately help on the edge. Lemonier is a great fit for a 3rd down rusher. Bonomolo is a JUCO, which some people hate, but when it comes to a lineman, the more developed the body the better.
6. Trovon Reed - Malzahn's offense is built on stretching the field. Zachary is fast, but Reed was described by numerous people as having DeSean Jackson like skills. We took the #1 player from Louisiana, and he has to be effective immediately. With him running go routes, our running game should also greatly improve.
- It's a lot of pressure to ask recruits to step in and win in the SEC, but hell, Bama did it in 2008. They got a few true freshmen to step in, and they went 12-2. I see no reason why our recruits can't step in and go 10-3.
Alabama...
- Our in state rivals did not recruit as well as they would have liked. Cecil Hurt's stuttering ass accurately portrayed how bammer nation felt about not only missing out on some guys but also playing second fiddle to Auburn today. Even Finebaum was all over Auburn's class. Saban discussing how recruiting rankings don't matter and how "well, we don't negatively recruit" was icing on the cake.
- With all that said, they still signed a hell of a class. Alabama didn't have much to sell. National championships bring in recruits the NEXT year, but this year, there wasn't much. The secondary had some openings, and they snagged a top quarterback despite having a young one on the roster. Other than that, the depth chart is stacked. It's impressive they landed Alfy Hill and Blake Sims.
- I think they reeled in a few duds, though. Keiwon Malone weighed in at 142 pounds on his last Bama visit. Adrian Hubbard is a sleeper, but I think Bama will recruit enough true stud d-ends that he'll never see the field. Brian Vogler shouldn't be allowed to see four stars at 3am on a clear night in the Colorado Rockies.
- Because Alabama didn't have much to sell, I think we see a change in their offense this spring and next season. The running game is sold. The defense is sold. What everyone can criticize is the passing game. With experience at quarterback and receivers like Maze and Jones, I have a feeling Bama decides to air it out. They need to electrify the offense if they want to keep recruiting offensive blue chips.
USC...
- I've figured it out. USC is throwing mad cash at all of these recruits in hopes that when they go on probation, they'll already have enough talent to keep winning. FIVE five stars? Seantrel "I Will Be the Number 1 Pick in the NFL Draft in Three Years" Henderson passed up Florida and Ohio St (who both need tackles) to go to USC???
- Maybe USC already knows they aren't going to get punished.
Oregon...
- Lache Seastrunk will be a top story next season. He will solidify that offense as the best in the nation next year.
Georgia...
- Hahahahahaha.
Offseason...
- We need to pray that our recruits don't get a case of the dumb and flunk out of high school. Supposedly, Chizik didn't want to sign anyone who was in danger of not qualifying. Therefore, if true, everyone will be at Auburn unless something happens over the next 3 months.
- No bad press. Eric Smith needs to stay at home on the weekends. The other guys need to hold each other accountable. I guarantee you the Bama media is gnashing their teeth. Don't give them any meat.
Drivel season...
- Orange uniforms? No.
- Entrance music? Who cares. It'll be shitty anyway.
I know this was long as hell, but if we ever need a reference point for THS's thoughts as of February 3rd, 2010, here they are.
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