This was a solid win for the Tigers. They played well at times on both sides of the ball but at other times they showed they still need some work. That is why you play the first game - to know what is working and what needs improved on.
Leard seemed to control the game and showed senior leadership throughout. He got the ball to several of the receivers (Daniels looks like a star again) and the TE for a TD. The running game looks vastly improved with Rudi getting most of the snaps and Heath silently leading the blocks on many of the plays. The offense sems to be working as a unit pretty well.
On defense, I was very pleased. I kept seeing McNeil in the Wyoning backfield pressuring or sacking the Cowpoke quarterback. This looks like a solid group with a lot of room to grow and blossom and if these youngsters are this far along not, look out a year or two down the road. Things really do look up for the Tigers.
On special teams, they barely had to work except to run back kicks, which C Robinson did pretty well. Duval looks much more mature and composed this season. He did miss 2 FGs but they were long ones and both had enough distance. I look forward to seeing if he can nail the ones inside 40. His punts were good and the kickoffs were all in the endzone which makes it very easy on your return team.
I did get a bit nervous when they pulled an Idaho repeat and let Wyoming score twice in the fourth quarter. ( I had previewed below that they would not do that, but they did anyway!) This year there was a major difference. We had Rudi Johnson to take matters into his own hands and make a beautiful, multiple tackle busting 70 yard run. I'm normally reasonably quiet during these games, but I was yelling Go Rudi..Go Rudi...Go Rudi! as he lumbered down the middle of the field.
Preview: This will be Auburn's first scrimmage. That is not intended to be a slam on the Cowboys, but a reflection of Tuberville's decision to not have a full-contact scrimmage before opening date. He will be proved a genius or dummy based on the results. Auburn has a mature offense and a young defense and I look forward to seeing the Heath/Rudi combo in action. I look forward to a dazzling array of wide receivers that Leard will have to choose from. I think that the heat will hurt Wyoming in a way similar to Idaho last year. I hope that this time, Auburn can prevent a 4th quarter slide. This is actually a replacement to what would have been a home game against Florida State on ESPN Thursday, but that is a distant memory and Bowden is now living in Orlando.
Prediction: Auburn 26 Wyoming 16
TV: ESPN 7:00PM CDT