Auburn vs. Tamaflu

[jmar]

Jimbo let us back in the last meeting after they had outplayed us for much of the game.
We have to run it effectively to score so Nix won't have too much on him.

Last team with the ball by a field goal.

[Snaggletiger]

Jimbo let us back in the last meeting after they had outplayed us for much of the game.
We have to run it  effectively to score so Nix won't have too much on him.

Last team with the ball by a field goal.

Troof.  They whipped our ass in every phase of the game with the exception of turnovers, which allowed us back in. 

[Kaos]

we'll be discussing Gus' future on Monday. 

In other words a normal Monday, right? 

[wesfau2]

Well, that was pretty fucking satisfying from start to finish.  Far from a perfect game, but one that never really was as close as the final score indicated.

Who was that guy with the visor doing a Gus impersonation?  Couldn't have been Gustav himself because I saw: robust personnel rotations, creative play-calling and Joey Gatewood THREW a pass to John Samuel Schenker.

Seriously, though, great use of multiple running backs.  Shivers needs to only point himself towards an endzone if he lines up in the backfield.  If he's going to run outside, give him a Stove/Schwartz look on the end-around to take advantage of his speed.

We had seven guys record a carry...and seven guys record a reception.  Pretty good job, in all, of spreading the ball around and taking advantage of mismatches.

The defense was fired up and someone must have insulted Derrick Brown's mama (4 tackles, 3 solo, 2 sacks, 3 TFL and 2 passes defended....I really though he was going to get that INT!)  Another name that jumped out yesterday was Roger McCreary...that kid was everywhere.

The score was still 28-10 with about 8 mins to go in the 4th.  Would have liked to see them finish stronger.

All in all, a great conference road win against a top 20 team.  The offense is still leaving lots of points on the board, but I expect that will improve with game experience for QB1.

[Kaos]

The score was still 28-10 with about 8 mins to go in the 4th.  Would have liked to see them finish stronger.

It's an old story I've seen played out hundreds of times.   Let's stop what's been working with cruel effectiveness and "keep the play in front."  In almost every instance it leads to surrendering yards and points to a team that couldn't gain yards or score points for the previous three hours.  I get that you don't want to give up a quick/cheap score but just keep playing your game.  

Speaking of giving up cheap scores, what of Washington State?  Mike Leach's team went into 'prevent' a little early with a 49-17 lead midway through the third.  That 31-point cushion wasn't enough.  (Seems like there was a game in the mid 80s where a Pat Dye led Auburn team gave up a 31-0 lead to Georgia Tech, but turned it around and won 45-34 or something like that, but the details are hazy.  Difference?  Auburn won).  UCLA and Chip Kelley punched the Hoogars (what is Washington State?) in the junk and took their lunch money, winning 67-63. 

For all of those who've wondered about Mike Leach?  If you're up 49-17 with eight minutes left in the third quarter and lose?  To winless UCLA?  Consider also that even with that lead, WSU scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter.  And lost. No thanks. Ever.  Funny press conferences and pirate costumes aren't worth it. 

[The Six]

Funny press conferences and pirate costumes aren't worth it.

Don't worry. No way the PTB at Auburn ever go for that. They would more likely hire Saban's daughter as Mike Leach.

[jmar]

We had more speed and overall talent.
Even got a little push at times up front.
Our special teams play was much better. 
They couldn't run the ball at all.
We tackled as good as any Auburn team I've seen minus the miss on their last touchdown that Big Kat helped happen by jumping offsides twice.


Criticism: Our pass coverage. Love that we are very aggressive but we
mugged the fuck out of their receivers and how we didn't get flagged at least three times was beyond me. 

Know the guys in the booth always talk about the refs being consistent (they were) but we know this won't continue going forward against teams with more talented receivers (and crying assed head coaches that get their way)
Our guys never looked back for the ball.

State seems to be much like Tamu.
Would like to see us clean up some of the mauling and actually defend some throws and have a chance for some picks. 

[jmar]

Gatewood had a pass option there and did it right. Was wondering if Gus had him as run only. 
That sort of signalled that we were prepared.
Derrick Brown is a super sized body snatcher. 
Tutt got loose for two very good punt returns which really helped us with starting field position.
Sipross did well as was coverage- no return yards.
Nix missed three times but he's going to start connecting. No concern there.
Really good to see Seth return and grab a few when it counted. 
Shivers is due to bust a long one. We need to keep trying to find ways to get him the ball. Same for Flash. Demands attention.
All of this helps a fresh Whitlow for the close which it seems is Malzahn's plan.

[wesfau2]

Gatewood had a pass option there and did it right. Was wondering if Gus had him as run only.
That sort of signalled that we were prepared.
Derrick Brown is a super sized body snatcher.
Tutt got loose for two very good punt returns which really helped us with starting field position.
Sipross did well as was coverage- no return yards.
Nix missed three times but he's going to start connecting. No concern there.
Really good to see Seth return and grab a few when it counted.
Shivers is due to bust a long one. We need to keep trying to find ways to get him the ball. Same for Flash. Demands attention.
All of this helps a fresh Whitlow for the close which it seems is Malzahn's plan.

Agree with all of this.  Especially the last bit.   Maybe Boobie's ideal role happens in Q3-4.  We have plenty of bodies to platoon until then.

[Kaos]

Agree with all of this.  Especially the last bit.  Maybe Boobie's ideal role happens in Q3-4.  We have plenty of bodies to platoon until then.

[jmar]

Agree with all of this.  Especially the last bit.  Maybe Boobie's ideal role happens in Q3-4.  We have plenty of bodies to platoon until then.

I seriously tried to focus attention on the offensive line but there is so much shit going on pre- snap it's really hard to follow.  
We were working very hard up front, getting downfield even. The play calling seemed to be sort of laid out as if to hide our shortcomings.
If headstrong Gus figured that out then it should be a real epiphany for him.
Okay we can hope!

[wesfau2]

I seriously tried to focus attention on the offensive line but there is so much shit going on pre- snap it's really hard to follow. 
We were working very hard up front, getting downfield even. The play calling seemed to be sort of laid out as if to hide our shortcomings.
If headstrong Gus figured that out then it should be a real epiphany for him.
Okay we can hope!

Some communication problems between Bo and the OLine evidenced with two Mike Horton downfield calls.  Hopefully they can get that Nick Marshall energy going where he could pop pass at the very last minute.

[The Six]

Some communication problems between Bo and the OLine evidenced with two Mike Horton downfield calls.  Hopefully they can get that Nick Marshall energy going where he could pop pass at the very last minute.

He'll throw it 20 yards over the WRs head, but sure. 

[djsimp]

He'll throw it 20 yards over the WRs head, but sure.

Your oozing pessimism is not surprising. I tend to think Nix's moxy will get his aim on target.

I am in agreeance with the likes and dislikes already shared, for the most part. I am past the cautiously optimistic stage as I was before the Oregon game. Actually, I've seen improvements with OL, with Nix, with miscues, etc. and even playcalling. I see a team taking strides forward each week all while winning games. I'm excited about Auburn football. I'm excited that we have a QB at the helm that has fire in his soul. Im excited that Auburn is stating their claim in the run game. I'm excited that Auburn has a nasty ass defense ready to break the opposing players in half. Annnd, I'm excited that all signs point to this Auburn team only getting better as we move further into the season. If this thing stays course, we are looking at a pretty damn good season. Yes, reality is Nix could very well go NICU and Gus could go back to ass puckered playcalling. My reality is that I'm not going to put too much stock in what the post season is going to look like nor count this bunch out of doing great things. I'm just going jump on, have some fun, and enjoy watching some Auburn football because I do feel an exciting energy about this team.

[wesfau2]

He'll throw it 20 yards over the WRs head, but sure.

Heretofore?  Sure.  Do I think he will always and forever do that?  No.

[Snaggletiger]

I said before this game that we'll see plays we haven't seen this year because Gus is the epitome of paranoia.  It came to pass.  And it had A&M off balance early.  Then he kind of shot his wad and they shut us down.  The stats were almost embarrassing at the half.

In the 3rd, A&M came out with a major hangover.  Penalties...blown assignments...you name it.  We took advantage.  Took control.  Two things.  The D won this game again.  They were freaking awesome.  B.) The O-line grew up.  They took care of business better than they have all year in the most hostile of environments. Mainly in the 2nd half. That encourages me more than anything else.  Take care of the Cowbell Mutts this weekend and we're 5-0 and maybe top 5.

[jmar]

First true road game, about a 100 degrees field level and 100,000 in attendance. That alone is a heap of pressure for a true freshman. Plus, we don't have the luxury of a run game that we have always leaned on. Looks like we are playing to our strengths and maybe our guys are in better shape than our opponents in the second half. We seem to run better in the second half as wes said. And I'm like simp with the enthusiam.

I'm not obsessed with Malzahn's play calling or decision-making yet. He is much more animated on the sidelines chewing on coaches and screaming at a few players blowing assignments.
Might ought to ease up on Carlson though. We're gonna need that kid.

[Kaos]

He'll throw it 20 yards over the WRs head, but sure.

[CCTAU]

I rewatched the game today.
Nix grew. He stepped up into the pocket instead of hitailing it at first sign. The pocket collapsed, but that's not on him.
HJ did not get enough touches. If the kid gets headed north, he makes yards.
JJ Wilson is a talented dude. Can't block for shit, but talented!
Still not sold on Shivers. I like him, but I'm not sure he is as close to breaking one as some think.

Stove is a fairly tough cat running the ball. Sees the hole, and jets.

Someone tell Gus it's ok to throw the long ball to Schwartz more than once a game. I've yet to see a DB that can cover!

That move by Hastings broke ankles. Too bad he and Nix couldn't connect.

Kmart needs to be on the JG package team. Where was he against aTm?
JG needs a full series. It will cause DCs to have a fit.

The end around is a nice play, but it got stuffed several times when the RB was untouched up the middle. Hard to read with your back to the line! Just a guessing game I suppose.

DBs will struggle with a crew that actually calls PI.
TD is our only edge rusher. Dude seems to be a flake though. Inconsistency is killing him.
OP is growing up fast.
And Tutt may be the best PR we've had in years.

Overall a good game. I'm still not sure if we are good, or aTm is average.  Probably won't know until we are in the SECCG!
I don't know if this team can hang with the big boys but the talent is there. If Gus can be creative in getting the ball to multiple playmakers, we stand a chance.

[The Six]

Look, I don't hate the guy, I'm just saying he's got a long way to go. And if we get in a game where we need a QB to go out there and sling it, I don't know that he's there yet. In fact, I don't think there's a guy on the roster that could do that. The good news is the DL and LBs are BA to the nth degree so chances of getting into shootout ball are slim (until late in the season). Can Nix grow? Sure. Will he with this coaching? The history does not suggest such unless you guys know something I don't about changes coming. 

Anyway, Auburn's better than Miss. St in just about every way. Low scoring game and another division win coming this weekend. 24-9 or something like that.