The time is upon us. The game that is customarily the battle for the SEC West is at hand.
Truthfully, our offense has been anemic, impotent, sloppy and uglier than a $1 whore. Another truth is that our defense is blindingly fast, vicious and dominating. More truths:
1) Special teams play has been solid to explosive; and
2) Jordan Hare will be rocking for a 7pm ESPN primetime game; and
3) LSU's stats have been padded with creampuff patsies; and
4) LSU will bring a signal caller (whichever they settle upon) who has not faced a hostile SEC crowd; and
5) Auburn is now a road-tested team, with a conference win under our belts(yes, I use the collective pronoun because this team is as much the fans' team as the players').
Why the recitation of seemingly sunshine-pumping rhetoric? Because, fellow Tigers, all of our wailing and gnashing of teeth will do nothing to alter the following facts this week: Tony Franklin is still running his "system" and Chris Todd will most likely start and play the majority of the LSU game.
So, I implore you: have faith. If only for one week, have faith. Our coaching staff, and specifically our intrepid leader, Thomas Hawley Tuberville, have been down worse before (funny thing to say at 3-0, I know). This staff knows what is at stake and what benefits could be reaped by a prime-time win against a top 10, divisional opponent.
Have faith, even if there is no logical reason to do so. After all, isn't that the definition of the word? You don't have to have faith in Franklin, Todd, or Jobu. Have faith only in the Auburn spirit that rages in each of the men that wear the navy and burnt orange. Know that these players will fight, scrap and claw for each yard. Know that as much as we, the fans, want a win, the players want it so much more. Know also that, win or lose, it is always great to be an Auburn Tiger.
Let the cynical among you (and I am usually the first to don that title) deride this call to arms. Your voices will be lost amid the roar of the faithful Saturday night.
War Eagle.