Second Bye/What is left for 2024?

[The Six]

We stumble into the second bye week at 3-6, 1-5 in the league, 14th place. As of today, we have the following remaining:

November 16: UL-Monroe (Currently 5-3, 3rd in the Sun Belt)
November 23: Texas A&M (Currently 7-2, 5-1 and tied for 1st in the SEC)
November 30: @ Alabama (Currently 6-2, 3-2 and tied for 6th in the SEC)

Some sports wonks will get cute and take ULM, but Auburn should be able to out-athlete those guys.

A&M and Alabama? A lot of that depends on what they have left to play for, particularly the latter.

A&M still has a shot at making Atlanta (presumably to face Georgia) and/or the 12 team playoffs.

Alabama needs to win out to have a shot at the 12 team playoffs. They're chance for Atlanta is so remote it's not worth mentioning at this point.

So what's left for Auburn? Playing spoiler to teams with playoff aspirations (and a rival to boot), showing the younger guys there's stuff to build for next year, and going out on a higher note to keep recruiting momentum.

It's that simple. CHF's message should be that simple. "Guys, it didn't break how we wanted this year. Now we can cry about it and sit here and mope and disappear. Or we can sack up, lay it all out there, and show folks that they better enjoy whatever advantage they have now, because we comin' next year. What's it gonna be?"

Do I have any faith that will happen? Perhaps just a little. Maybe there's enough fire left in that room to get these guys to string together their best three weeks in a row.

What say you all?

[Snakebite]

We stumble into the second bye week at 3-6, 1-5 in the league, 14th place. As of today, we have the following remaining:

November 16: UL-Monroe (Currently 5-3, 3rd in the Sun Belt)
November 23: Texas A&M (Currently 7-2, 5-1 and tied for 1st in the SEC)
November 30: @ Alabama (Currently 6-2, 3-2 and tied for 6th in the SEC)

Some sports wonks will get cute and take ULM, but Auburn should be able to out-athlete those guys.

A&M and Alabama? A lot of that depends on what they have left to play for, particularly the latter.

A&M still has a shot at making Atlanta (presumably to face Georgia) and/or the 12 team playoffs.

Alabama needs to win out to have a shot at the 12 team playoffs. They're chance for Atlanta is so remote it's not worth mentioning at this point.

So what's left for Auburn? Playing spoiler to teams with playoff aspirations (and a rival to boot), showing the younger guys there's stuff to build for next year, and going out on a higher note to keep recruiting momentum.

It's that simple. CHF's message should be that simple. "Guys, it didn't break how we wanted this year. Now we can cry about it and sit here and mope and disappear. Or we can sack up, lay it all out there, and show folks that they better enjoy whatever advantage they have now, because we comin' next year. What's it gonna be?"

Do I have any faith that will happen? Perhaps just a little. Maybe there's enough fire left in that room to get these guys to string together their best three weeks in a row.

What say you all?

After witnessing this season so far, 3-9 or 4-8 would not hold any shock value.  We have proven time and time again that we have an innate ability to lose to teams that we are supposed to "out-athlete".

NMST, Cal, Maryland, & Vandy at the very least. 

I am trying to maintain some semblance of hope that eventually it will get better, but I am not seeing evidence of it trending that way on the field of play.  I will say that defense sure has gotten better, so that is cool to see those kids growing up and shutting other teams down for the most part.

[wesfau2]

We're furked.

[CCTAU]

Let’s hang in there and limp on into the playoffs…

[The Six]

Let’s hang in there and limp on into the playoffs…

In 2026?

[Kaos]

I don't know if this is the bottom of the barrel, but I definitely smell oak. 

[chinook]

was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?

[The Six]

was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?

Hell no. They went right to Madison Square Garden for a Trump rally and then a weekend on Epstein Island!

[AUJarhead]

was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?

Mister Thorne, zero... point... zero.

[Snaggletiger]

If Freeze finally gets his head out of his rectum, and plays Hank, I think we are at least very competitive the rest of the way. Not because Hank is the savior and will suddenly make us an offensive juggernaut, but more because he's young and may have somewhat of a future at Auburn.

We are playing so many really young guys on both sides of the ball.  If you run Thorne out there again, and everybody pretty much knows the outcome, how fired up can you be?  Put the young buck at QB, and I could see a little bit of us against them mentality. Look out for us next year, cause we comin'. 

I'm quite sure they all know there's nothing to play for except the future.  Do I think Hank Brown is the QB next season?  No, I don't think next season's QB is on the roster right now.  But at least go into next year with a QB room that has a little experience under their belt.

[The Six]

If Freeze finally gets his head out of his rectum, and plays Hank, I think we are at least very competitive the rest of the way. Not because Hank is the savior and will suddenly make us an offensive juggernaut, but more because he's young and may have somewhat of a future at Auburn.

We are playing so many really young guys on both sides of the ball.  If you run Thorne out there again, and everybody pretty much knows the outcome, how fired up can you be?  Put the young buck at QB, and I could see a little bit of us against them mentality. Look out for us next year, cause we comin'. 

I'm quite sure they all know there's nothing to play for except the future.  Do I think Hank Brown is the QB next season?  No, I don't think next season's QB is on the roster right now.  But at least go into next year with a QB room that has a little experience under their belt.

I hear you and don't entirely disagree. However, let me offer a counter argument.

1) The time to move on from Thorne was a few games ago. Doing that with three to go (minus the reason of injury), limits what you are going to even attempt to do on offense. That makes opposing DCs wet. Let's maybe not do that.

B) If Hank is bound for the portal, it's not HF's job to make him more portable since unlike the NFL, Auburn gets nothing in return when he bolts (other than a roster spot). If he believed Hank was the future, he'd have already played him and made the move. (We agree - next year's QB probably isn't on the roster.)

III) I don't have a third point. The first two just looked lonely without another one. Huzzah!

[Snaggletiger]

I hear you and don't entirely disagree. However, let me offer a counter argument.

1) The time to move on from Thorne was a few games ago. Doing that with three to go (minus the reason of injury), limits what you are going to even attempt to do on offense. That makes opposing DCs wet. Let's maybe not do that.

B) If Hank is bound for the portal, it's not HF's job to make him more portable since unlike the NFL, Auburn gets nothing in return when he bolts (other than a roster spot). If he believed Hank was the future, he'd have already played him and made the move. (We agree - next year's QB probably isn't on the roster.)

III) I don't have a third point. The first two just looked lonely without another one. Huzzah!

You got me on that 3rd point.  Can't argue that.

Let me counter your counter.  Totally agree that HB should have been in games ago.  Another blatant QB mistake by U Free.  But, I don't think going to Hank really limits us, especially after what we saw this past Saturday.  Other than trying a triple reversey, whirly-bird halfback receiver pass, that was about as basic, and unimaginative offense as we've seen at Auburn.

I know this day and age has us all assuming that everyone not getting reps will leave. I wouldn't want to coach on that assumption myself.  I'd go into it with the thought that HB is coming back, and needs experience. 

Eityher way, we furked.

[Snakebite]

I hear you and don't entirely disagree. However, let me offer a counter argument.

1) The time to move on from Thorne was a few games ago. Doing that with three to go (minus the reason of injury), limits what you are going to even attempt to do on offense. That makes opposing DCs wet. Let's maybe not do that.

B) If Hank is bound for the portal, it's not HF's job to make him more portable since unlike the NFL, Auburn gets nothing in return when he bolts (other than a roster spot). If he believed Hank was the future, he'd have already played him and made the move. (We agree - next year's QB probably isn't on the roster.)

III) I don't have a third point. The first two just looked lonely without another one. Huzzah!

I don't know where the narrative of #HB2025 transferring out is coming from.  He be a Hugh Freeze guy through and through.

I am slowly getting to the point of not even caring anymore for this season.  To keep people satisfied that could contribute next year, offer them playing time.  If Thorne gets butt hurt, it wouldn't be justified since there is an almost 0% chance he sniffs a NFL roster in his future.  He could get a jump start on his coaching career, though!  I do think he would do well in that profession.

[jmar]

PAIN!

[The Six]

I don't know where the narrative of #HB2025 transferring out is coming from.  He be a Hugh Freeze guy through and through.

I am slowly getting to the point of not even caring anymore for this season.  To keep people satisfied that could contribute next year, offer them playing time.  If Thorne gets butt hurt, it wouldn't be justified since there is an almost 0% chance he sniffs a NFL roster in his future.  He could get a jump start on his coaching career, though!  I do think he would do well in that profession.

Peyton Thorne State Farm
Peyton Thorne Merrill Lynch
Peyton Thorne Car Wash

[Snakebite]

Peyton Thorne State Farm
Peyton Thorne Merrill Lynch
Peyton Thorne Car Wash

Anywhere but on Pat Dye Field is good with me!

[jmar]

So why wouldn't you start Hank in the second half to try and ignite the offense? That's not sending any messages other than we aren't getting it done, especially on 3rd down- basically heading down the same road.

[The Six]

So why wouldn't you start Hank in the second half to try and ignite the offense? That's not sending any messages other than we aren't getting it done, especially on 3rd down- basically heading down the same road.

It's also CHF admitting he was wrong and he's not one to do that much.

[CCTAU]

I don't know where the narrative of #HB2025 transferring out is coming from.  He be a Hugh Freeze guy through and through.

The only other place I could see him going to would be UAB.

[The Six]

The only other place I could see him going to would be UAB.

I wouldn't wish Trent Dilfer on a broke dick dog.