Auburn
- I think we've gotten spoiled. I know I have. I said to a friend of mine during the Arkansas game week one that I was bored with the ten yard gains. Like ten yards gains for Auburn were the new 3 yards and a cloud of dust. Like every play should go for 15+ or it was a failure.
- Against LA Tech, we averaged 5.3 yards a rush and 10 yards a completion. We racked up 473 total yards, had a punt return for a touchdown, and had zero turnovers. Our defense forced two turnovers. Nick Marshall completed passes to 12 different receivers. Both CAP and Marshall had runs for 30+ yards. We were so far ahead that in the 4th quarter we able to play our backups.
- I know Prowler's already doing the 2013-2014 comparison, which I think is good, but I'm going to investigate how the 2010 team compares to this one in a similar situation. I feel that going into year two of Malzahn's offense in both cases should convey if the 2014 team is progressing or regressing.
- In 2010, Auburn was 4-0 having won three straight difficult games and needing a breather against LA Monroe. Here in 2014, we had a long week after a tough Thursday night game, and we had one other tough game against Arkansas in week on. 2010 was probably more winded than 2014.
- Here are some direct comparisons:
*Cam Newton - 14/19 for 245, 3 tds, and 1 interception. 1 touchdown was for 94 yards thus inflating his overall yardage a bit. He averaged 12.9 yards a pass. Without the long bomb, he averaged 11 yards a pass with 150 yards. Newton ran for -11 yards on 1 carry.
*Marshall - 10/17 for 166 yards. 9.8 average. 3 tds. 0 ints. Marshall ran for 105 yards on 13 carries.
*Fannin - 10 carries 89 yards. 1 td. McCcCallellebbebb - 5 carries 56 yards. 1 td. (1 carry for 50).
* CAP - 22 carries 116 yards. 1 td. Grant - 8 carries for 13 yards. (See Marshall above)
*Blake - 2 receptions 104 yards. 1 td. (94 yard bomb). TZach - 4 receptions 50 yards. Lutz - 4 receptions 41 yards. 1 td.
*Bray - 3 receptions 91 yards. 2 tds. Duke - 2 receptions 33 yards. 1 td.
*LAMonroe had 270 total yards and 3 points. ULM had 38 yards rushing.
*LA Tech had 321 yards and 17 points. LA Tech had 105 yards rushing including a 33 yard run.
- In a quick analysis like this, it seems that 2010 was ahead of 2014 at this point of the year playing a cupcake. I think that's why so many are upset. Auburn didn't pass the expected (and worthless) eye test. We expect domination. We worry when we don't obliterate because we are in a position to win championships and not just shoot for 9-10 wins.
- I think we start a true test this month. Obviously. I've never seen a schedule this difficult. If I had to put my finger on the problem this year, it's that we haven't been that hyped up for games. I think the team knows what's coming in October. I've heard numerous coaches say that it's only possible to get a team hyped up for four or five games a season. Well, we have seven left that need serious hyping. I'm glad we've looked flat.
- I only hope it is flatness though that's causing cloudy eyes. If not, we're in for a long year. If the o-line doesn't gel and start dominating some dudes, we're in for a long year. If #11 Fulse doesn't stop whiffing on blocks, we're in for a long year. If Marshall doesn't stop throwing into double coverage, we're in for a long year. If the defense is going to continue to give up 30+ plays against inferior opponents, we're in for a long year.
- But I think we come out swinging against LSU. I think Duke and Coates finally get heavily involved. I think CAP and Grant get some lanes. I think the defense shuts down LSU's run game. I think Les Miles eats grass in tears leaving Jordan-Hare.
Tennessee
- Moral victory! I heard the same things with Dooley. And Kiffin. They almost beat Alabama! They almost beat Florida! Now, they've almost beaten Georgia!
- I feel bad for Tennessee. There really is only so much talent to go around. If Tennessee goes north, they run into Ohio State, a recently-successful Louisville program, and Notre Dame. If they go south, they hit Georgia, Alabama and Auburn, and a recently-successful South Carolina program. I think Tennessee is just stuck in a hard spot. They were great in the late 90s and early 2000s because South Carolina was non-existent. Notre Dame was hitting their lowest lows after Holtz left. Louisville didn't have pizza man building their program. Ohio State also was poking along until Tressell came in the early 2000s.
- I don't think Tennessee comes back until Spurrier retires.
Georgia
- Just give Gurley the trophy. He's the best player in the country. Marcus Mariota has repeatedly shown over the years that he dominates against inferior talent. The PAC 12 has always been known for giving up huge chunks of yards. Just look at Reggie Bush and USC from 2003-2008. Get some speed and some decent o-line play, and players can look like gods out there.
- Gurley though is crushing SEC defenses. He just needs to stay healthy.
Florida State
- I'm so sick of this team. It's an embarrassment to what is a pretty wholesome form of entertainment. NC State could have put them away, but instead, we're having to listen to nervous analysts provide hedged commentary on a team that is led by a criminal quarterback who is beyond inappropriately immature and a head coach that has zero concern for the well-being of his own players and how they treat other students on campus.
Arkansas
- If you weren't coached by Bert the Derp, you would have won this game. It wasn't play calling. It was preparation. A well-coached team doesn't fumble the snap when it has the chance to put the game away. A well-coached team doesn't give up 14 points in the 4th quarter especially when staring at a team's first SEC win in two years.
Texas A&M
- And you aren't as good as you think you are. Kenny Hill was exposed. Their receivers? Exposed. Run game? Exposed. Most dominating offense in college football? Nope. Defense? Still gives up huge chunks of yards to good running backs.
- Still a good team though but maybe someone will pump the brakes on anointing this team too soon.
South Carolina
- Who had the bigger choke job? Arkansas or South Carolina? I think South Carolina. Reestablishing themselves as SEC East front runner? Nah. Lose a 2nd game in front of the home crowd? Yeah. Give up two touchdowns in the 4th quarter after dominating the majority of the game? Yeah.
Missouri
- And here they are again. The only undefeated team in SEC East play. Just that pesky home loss to Indiana standing in their way.
Next Week
- If you like couch-sittin', get ready for next Saturday. 11am Texas A&M-Miss State. 230pm Alabama-Ole Miss. 6pm Auburn-LSU.