100

[wesfau2]

Days until CFB kicks off.

The interminable wait is about to hit double digits.

[The Six]

Danny Sheridan is already talking trash on Auburn so you know it's getting closer to time.

https://www.al.com/alabamafootball/2019/05/danny-sheridan-sets-line-on-hypothetical-alabama-clemson-week-1-matchup-calls-out-gus-malzahn.html

[Godfather]

Danny Sheridan is already talking trash on Auburn so you know it's getting closer to time.

https://www.al.com/alabamafootball/2019/05/danny-sheridan-sets-line-on-hypothetical-alabama-clemson-week-1-matchup-calls-out-gus-malzahn.html

He isn't wrong....for once.

[Snaggletiger]

He isn't wrong....for once.

I'm not going to dispute much of what this greasy-haired, prick with ears said.  Just hate to even remotely agree with a fraud like Sheridan who took a personal interest in trying to take Auburn down.  Fuck him with an oozing, aids infected goat dick.

[Godfather]

Can we get a 129 day countdown to the start of Equestrian Season?

[Snaggletiger]

Can we get a 129 day countdown to the start of Equestrian Season?

It should be an interesting season.  They have a new coach this year.

[The Six]

It should be an interesting season.  They have a new coach this year.

They are letting one of the horses coach?

[Buzz Killington]

It should be an interesting season.  They have a new coach this year.

Why the long face?

[Godfather]

They are letting one of the horses coach?

[wesfau2]

Bump.

77 days.


10 Saturdays.

[Buzz Killington]

I really hate this.  By this point in the year, I am normally looking for any stories online about the upcoming season or reading through the Penthouse Forums Street & Smith for any stories about Auburn football.  This year?  Nada.  Don't care.

Screw you Arec Barrwin

[wesfau2]

I really hate this.  By this point in the year, I am normally looking for any stories online about the upcoming season or reading through the Penthouse Forums Street & Smith for any stories about Auburn football.  This year?  Nada.  Don't care.

Screw you Arec Barrwin

Fuck that.  I'm still scouring for news.  The inbred-courting jacklegs over at al.cumonyertitsma have started requiring disabling of ad-blockers to see their site.  So...fuck them.  I'll get my content elsewhere.

But I will fucking get it.

[Godfather]

Fuck that.  I'm still scouring for news.  The inbred-courting jacklegs over at al.cumonyertitsma have started requiring disabling of ad-blockers to see their site.  So...fuck them.  I'll get my content elsewhere.

But I will fucking get it.

Gus Malzahn was understandably pleased with the recent news that Auburn president Steven Leath is putting together a working group to explore a standalone facility to house the Tigers’ football program on campus.

The news, which was announced by Leath last week, was music to the ears of Malzahn, who has been yearning for a football-specific complex for years and even donated — together with his wife Kristi — $2 million toward the project last fall.

“It’s exciting, there’s no doubt,” Malzahn said Monday before speaking at the AMBUSH Tour event in Columbus, Ga. “The ball is rolling in the right direction, and it’s very exciting.”

Currently, Auburn’s football team is housed in the school’s athletics complex on South Donahue Drive that was built in 1989. That building isn’t just home to the football team, however; the 100,000-suqare foot facility also hosts the Auburn athletics business office, communications staff, compliance, development, digital media, equipment management, graphic design, IT, marketing and operations, as well as upper-level athletics department administration.


Discussions regarding a standalone football facility have been ongoing for years, and it has long been at the top of Malzahn’s wishlist. Last year, after he and his wife made the donation toward the project, Malzahn said a standalone football facility was “really the only thing we need at this time” from a football standpoint to help the program move forward.


Several SEC programs have built similar facilities in recent years, and many of the nation’s top programs have such buildings. For example, Clemson in 2017 opened a $55 million state-of-the-art football-specific complex.[/left]

The working group announced by Leath is intended to explore options for such a complex on Auburn’s campus and provide them to the board of trustees by early fall. Auburn COO Ron Burgess will chair the group, while trustee Mike DeMaioribus, Tigers Unlimited board member Earlon McWhorter and senior leadership from the athletics department and across campus will also participate to help move along a process that has been years in the making.

“I’m excited that our board was in favor of putting the working group together,” Malzahn said. “It’s really exciting that the project is moving forward. I’m really appreciate of our president and our board of trustees.”

Over the course of 15 spring practices, Auburn narrowed its quarterback race down from four candidates to two frontrunners — a 1 and 1A in freshmen Joey Gatewood and Bo Nix.


Gus Malzahn hopes the rest of the competition can be sorted out pretty quickly once practices resume in August as the Tigers open fall camp in preparation for the 2019 season, which begins with a key nonconference showdown against Oregon on Aug. 31 in Arlington, Texas.

“The first thing we got to do is identify our starter,” Malzahn said Monday before speaking at the AMBUSH Tour stop in Columbus, Ga. “We narrowed it down to two, so hopefully we’ll be able to do that early in fall camp.”

While Malzahn did not give an exact timeline for naming a starter among the two finalists, he indicated that as a coach it becomes evident pretty early on how things will shake out once practices begin.

A lot of that, he said, takes shape during the summer offseason months. It’s during these months, when coaches’ interactions with players are limited as they go through offseason conditioning and player-only drills, that the foundation is truly set for the upcoming season — a time when Gatewood and Nix can build a rapport with their offensive teammates, particularly the skill position players, and take command of the offense from a leadership standpoint.

“They're learning how to lead,” offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham said in April. “Leading through a dynamic of competition with four men is very difficult. We're looking to give a few guys a platform, an ability to lead. I think we have guys who have that trait."


Malzahn on Monday again stressed the importance of these offseason months in that regard.

“I think it’s really good for those two young guys, because we can’t be out there with the ball and all that, so it gives them an opportunity to really work on their leadership skills in front of their teammates,” Malzahn said. “A lot of the times, that’s when teams grow—without the coaches. We do have really, really strong leadership on both sides of the football, so it gives those two guys a chance to develop themselves and establish themselves as a leader and take charge. I think it’s a good thing.

“As far as what we’re hearing and all that, it’s kind of one of those deals where as a coach, you kind of just wait until you get out there in fall camp and you usually know pretty quick how things stand and from a leadership standpoint.”


Whichever quarterback takes command of the offense in that regard and emerges in fall camp, the Tigers will still be going with a first-time starter in the season opener. It will be the first time since 2013, when Nick Marshall won the starting job, that Gus Malzahn will break in a first-time starter during Week 1.

It will also be the first time Malzahn has starter a freshman at quarterback since Jeremy Johnson made a spot start for Marshall that same season in 2013. While Gatewood is a redshirt freshman who made his only appearance last season in mop-up duty during the Music City Bowl, Nix is a true freshman who enrolled this spring. Auburn has never started a true freshman quarterback in a season opener before.


The Tigers’ inexperience at the position is not lost on Malzahn, who knows it’s on him to put the quarterback—or quarterbacks, should both see the field against Oregon—in the best position to succeed.

“I think the good thing is that we’re going to be a really veteran team around them, and I think that will help them, but that is the reality — the guy’s going to be out there playing his first real college football game against one of the better teams in all of college,” Malzahn said. “We’ll have a plan for him. We’re going to rely on the guys around him. We got an experienced team; I really think we have a hungry team, and I think that’s really one of the main things you look for as a coach.”

tldr; Gus says not to worry we getting a complex he gonna be here a long time, I got this.

[Buzz Killington]

tldr; Gus says not to worry we getting a complex he gonna be here a long time, I got this.

He says he's gonna give you an egg and move to Boca Raton...but don't worry, he's gonna look amazing.

[Godfather]

He says he's gonna give you an egg and move to Boca Raton...but don't worry, he's gonna look amazing.

[Godfather]

Auburn recruiting is on a little bit of a roll. And, it was needed.

Since Big Cat Weekend, which was June 1, the Tigers have landed five commitments and jumped up 10 spots to No. 19 in the 247Sports recruiting team rankings.

This summer rush for the Tigers is par for the course in these parts.

In fact, just two cycles ago Auburn sat outside the top 50 in the rankings in late June before rallying. 

The 2020 Auburn class has an average rating per commit of 89.99 --- that's up from 88.54 on June 1 -- and just below the 90.00 threshold for a 4-star average. The good news for the Tigers? They seem to either lead or be in the top two or three for several big targets. The bad news? While the class isn't bad, it ranks only as the ninth best in the ultra-competitive Southeastern Conference at the moment.

With the 247Sports Crystal Ball, media members predict where top recruits will land. Even though it's early in the cycle, today we take a look at what the chatter is about some top Auburn targets.


Haynes King, QB, Longview (Texas): With a decision likely coming soon (probably this week) for the 4-star dual-threat quarterback, Auburn is believed to be in his top two or three depending on who you ask. Texas A&M has taken the Crystal Ball lead, but there is so little intel out there on King that only two picks have been made. Tennessee is the other program very much in the mix and some think the Vols may actually lead. Although King has visited Auburn three times (twice this year), it would be a minor upset if he picks the Tigers, largely because of the quarterbacks they signed the past two cycles.


Desmond Tisdol, LB, Rochelle (Ga.) Wilcox County: This one has gone back and forth a lot. Auburn has led. South Carolina has led. Now, the Tigers are back in front. And, the Crystal Ball reflects that with Auburn having a big edge. Auburn feels very good about Tisdol and according to our sources, it should. But the fact Tisdol, who had South Carolina No. 2 at last check, wants to wait until December to announce possibly could backfire if he truly wants to be at Auburn. That said, it wouldn't be a shock if he moves that date up should the Tigers apply some pressure.

Ethan Pouncey, CB, Winter Park (Fla.): Auburn is trending slightly for this talented 4-star cornerback, with schools such as Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Texas also in the mix. A favorable depth chart seems to be working in the Tigers' favor -- along with the fact he is very close to the Auburn staff (Kodi Burns is his area recruiter). Pouncey attended Big Cat Weekend and still has an official to take to Auburn. There only is one Crystal Ball pick in (it's ours) and it is for the Tigers. This would be a huge get if Auburn can pull it off. The competition is stiff.

Jeremiah Pegues, TE, Oxford (Miss.): Auburn has pulled even in the Crystal Ball with Ole Miss and for good reason. All of our current intel suggests the Tigers lead -- and lead big for the 4-star tight end target. He has visited Auburn multiple times, most recently last weekend when he made a surprise trip to the school with some family. That was his fourth known visit to Auburn. That's the good news. The bad news: Pegues doesn't seem to be in any hurry to commit. Right now, though, the arrow is pointing toward the Tigers.

Ze'Vian Capers, WR, Alpharetta (Ga.) Denmark: Auburn holds a big lead in the Crystal Ball for the country's No. 112 overall prospect. In this recruitment, follow the visits. Capers, a former Arkansas commit, attended Big Cat Weekend on June 1. Then, he was back at Auburn the following week. A day later, he de-committed from the Razorbacks. Last weekend, he returned to Auburn for his official visit. Now, he will announce a commitment July 1. This looks really good for Auburn.

Tank Bigsby, RB, Hogansville (Ga.) Callaway: South Carolina is the Crystal Ball favorite. In fact, Auburn does not have a single pick. But the Tigers seem to be trending up of late. Bigsby has been on campus three times (once for an official visit) this month alone and is expected to return Sunday. He's very difficult to read but it certainly seems as though Auburn is in a better spot here than when the month began.
 
Lawrance Toafili, RB, Pinellas Park (Fla.): FSU is the big favorite in the 247Sports Crystal Ball but do not sleep on Auburn. Toafili visited the Tigers with most of his family Big Cat Weekend and that was trip No. 2 to Auburn this year for him. Afterward, he gave the visit great reviews and said his family loved it, too. Of note, he's very close with Tigers running backs coach Cadillac Williams. Florida probably is the other team to watch here and Toafili said the Gators are rising of late.

Brenden Coffey, OT, Butte College (Calif.): There is only one Crystal Ball pick -- and it's not for Auburn. Oregon has it. That said, Coffey, the No. 2 junior college offensive tackle in the country, told us last week the Tigers led and by a "pretty good" amount. He officially visited Auburn earlier this summer and officials remain to Oregon and probably Utah. Right now, Auburn is in a good spot but it's a battle. Coffey hopes to have a decision in August.

[wesfau2]

49 days.

7 Saturdays and change.

[Snaggletiger]

Keep counting them down.  I believe it's ESPNU that's running the Top 25 games of 2018 right now. I sat there last night watching half of the TCU/The Ohio State game.  Frick I love college football.

[Godfather]

31 Days to Auburn Football 

Practices start on Friday.

5 key position battles to watch during Auburn’s fall camp

Posted Jul 31, 7:00 AM

By Tom Green | tgreen@al.com

Auburn opens fall camp Friday, just more than four weeks out from the team’s season-opening tilt against Oregon in Arlington, Texas, on Aug. 31. As the Tigers prepare for the marquee matchup with the Ducks, they’ll also have to settle a handful of preseason position battles — including one very notable one — ahead of the 2019 campaign.

Auburn will have 14 practices during the camp portion of practice to sort out some of these position battles before the Tigers shift their focus fully to Week 1 preparations. Here’s a look at five key position battles looming this preseason for Auburn.

5. Punt returner

Auburn is tasked with replacing its top punt returner from last season in wide receiver Ryan Davis, who averaged 9.86 yards per return in 2018. The Tigers will look to fill that void with five key candidates this preseason: cornerbacks Noah Igbinoghene (who is also the Tigers’ top kick returner) and Javaris Davis, wide receivers Eli Stove and Matthew Hill, and nickelback Christian Tutt.

Of those four, only Tutt had in-game reps as a punt returner last season, averaging 13 yards on five attempts. Each of the other candidates saw reps in the return game this spring and are “capable of making big plays,” according to head coach Gus Malzahn, who seems confident in what the Tigers will be able to do on special teams this season.

4. H-back

After losing four-year starter Chandler Cox to the NFL, Auburn seeks to remodel its H-back position this season and turn it into a more versatile role, potentially consolidating it along with the tight end spot.

Redshirt sophomore John Samuel Shenker exited the spring as the leading candidate to take over the starting role, but Auburn also introduces grad transfer Jay Jay Wilson into the mix this fall. Wilson, a former tight end and linebacker at Arizona State, arrived this summer. The Sun Devils used the H-back position similarly to how Auburn utilizes it within Malzahn’s offense, and the Tigers’ seventh-year head coach is optimistic that it will help carry over for Wilson this preseason.

“He’s a physical guy,” Malzahn said of Wilson. “He’s a guy that has played that position. Now, he also played defensive end, but he’s got a good football mindset.”

Spencer Nigh, more of a prototypical blocking H-back, will also be in the mix for the job this fall.

3. Split end receiver

With Darius Slayton declaring for the NFL Draft early and subsequently getting selected by the New York Giants this spring, Auburn will need to find a new deep-threat receiver to fill the role at split end in Malzahn’s offense. While Auburn’s receivers are largely interchangeable among the various positions, the Tigers will need to establish a new go-to receiver on the outside to replace Slayton’s production from last season (35 receptions, 670 yards, five touchdowns).

The two most likely candidates to step into that role are sophomore Seth Williams and grad transfer Zach Farrar. Williams, who spent a lot of time in the big slot as a freshman, has developed more into an outside receiver this offseason, and Malzahn likes what the big-bodied sophomore brings to the table in terms of overall skillset. He should be the Tigers’ No. 1 option in the passing game this year, regardless of where he lines up, but the 6-foot-3, 224-pounder will look to build off a freshman campaign that saw him catch 26 passes for 535 yards and five touchdowns.

“Seth is a guy that proved last year that you can put him out there and you can throw it up high, and he's pretty good at going and getting it,” Malzahn said. “That's a big weapon. He's capable of getting it when he's double-covered, so I think that's good.”

Farrar, meanwhile, arrived on campus within the last two weeks from Youngstown State, where the former three-star prospect and one-time Oklahoma signee caught 20 passes for 307 yards and a touchdown in six games last season.

“There's going to be some competition with things,” Malzahn said. “Zach Farrar is a grad transfer receiver…. I think he'll be a factor. But we've got so many other guys that can run. To have a chance to have a go-to guy, you've got to be able to run. So, we've got a lot of different options. We'll make that clear the first game.”

2. Second defensive tackle

Auburn got a humongous boost this offseason when defensive linemen Derrick Brown, Marlon Davidson and Nick Coe all announced their decisions to return to the Plains for another season instead of bolting early for the NFL. Despite returning those three cornerstones of the defense, the Tigers will still need to replace four-year starting defensive tackle Dontavius Russell, who never put up flashy numbers but often handled the dirty work along the defensive line, taking on double-teams and opening things up for those other three linemen.

Replacing Russell is no easy task, and it will likely be a by-committee approach for Auburn at the second defensive tackle spot next to Brown this fall. Junior Tyrone Truesdell enters fall camp atop the depth chart, but he’ll face competition from redshirt junior Daquan Newkirk and sophomore Coynis Miller Jr. during the preseason. Newkirk is coming off an Achilles injury for the second straight offseason, but he has been lauded by teammates for his powerful, quick-twitch skills, with Brown admitting his fellow defensive tackle has more upper-body strength than he does. Miller, on the other hand, has an immense amount of talent, but defensive line coach Rodney Garner wants to see the sophomore take that next step both mentally and in terms of his conditioning.

While Auburn may not have the type of defensive tackle who can play 50 snaps a game, the Tigers like the talent they have among those three options. There’s also the potential for Coe and Davidson to see some time on the interior of the line, as Garner said both are capable of playing all four spots along the line this season.

1. Quarterback

The most talked-about and anticipated position battle of fall camp for Auburn comes at the most important position on the field, quarterback. The Tigers are replacing two-year starter Jarrett Stidham, and the competition that spanned all throughout spring practices and summer player-run workouts will continue into the preseason between redshirt freshman Joey Gatewood and true freshman Bo Nix.

Those two separated themselves as 1A and 1B on the depth chart this spring, with two-year backup Malik Willis transferring to Liberty after being eliminated from consideration. Malzahn has said he wants to name a starter as early as possible during fall camp, and while he doesn’t have a firm timeline of when he would like to name a starter, he’s confident the decision will become evident to both the coaches and players over the course of practices.

Whichever player earns the starting job, the Tigers will enter a pivotal 2019 campaign with a freshman starting quarterback for the first time during Malzahn’s tenure. Gatewood has just one game of experience after redshirting last season, appearing only during mop-up duty in the Music City Bowl, while Nix is a former five-star prospect who enrolled early this spring. Each one brings similar yet distinctly different skillsets to the role, and both impressed over the course of spring practices.
No matter the ultimate outcome, this position battle will be one that truly shapes Auburn’s season, as well as Malzahn’s job security.

[The Six]

31 Days to Auburn Football

Practices start on Friday.


Malzahn has said he wants to name a starter as early as possible during fall camp  during the Oregon game, and while he doesn’t have a firm timeline of when he would like to name a starter, he’s confident the decision will become evident to both the coaches and players over the course of practices the first several games after the rotation of two QBs and a twirly bird wildcat fails against the Ducks.

 FTFY and Tom Green