One sour note about the game. The security precautions were awful. They had only a few gates open until 10 minutes before kickoff so we had to walk back..back..back..back.. to behind Dorm 4 to get in. Something happened at 5:50 and the line moved without stop and all gates were open. I hear that this plan did not go over well and will be changed before Saturday.
Our offense turned into a power running attack with Brandon Johnson blocking for Cassinious Moore or Carnell Williams. With Robert Johnson injured the TE positinon wss nullified pretty much. This seemed to work pretty well, but it still failed to yield touchdowns. Jason Campbell continues to mature but he was limited to a small production because of the running game. Tuberville is a patient man to let him grow up this way. So far, it's been okay - we're 4 and 1.
Preview: Here we go again with the MSU game. This series used to be dominated by the Tigers but incredibly, we have lost 4 straight to the Bulldogs from Starkville. (Ironically we won the West twice in this timespan anyway!) Two of those games in 1997 and 2000 were very ugly losses - two of the worst performances in recent Tiger history. This year's game is also a little bittersweet for me. My Dad was a MSU alum and we would always discuss the game before and after. However, sadly, Dad passed away in May so I'll miss that friendly competition we had.
Forget about how the Bulldogs were whipped like puppies by the mighty Gators. Out turn's coming next week. MSU is not as bad as they looked against Florida. Wayne Madkin is MSU's all-time leading QB and he is not as respected as he ought to be in the SEC. I even remember him playing for local Johnson High School and signing with State. Miller was out for the Florida game and I believe he is out for this one as well. This leaves them with only half their rushing attack. Their O-Line will be large and will test our D-Line. I do think we will be able to defend the pass okay.
On offense, we will need to be sharper and make fewer mistakes. I believe we have enough talent to handle the Bulldogs, but I am concerned about the youth. Last year we could not run the ball at all on these guys, so I expect to see more passing this time. If we can execute we have a chance to win the game.
Prediction: Auburn 16 MSU 13
TV: TBA
Duvall will be in the NFL next season and we are really relying on him this season. This is three in a row won by him and it may not be the last. Getting the fumble recovery on special teams is another credit to the team.
I was impressed at how we overcame adversity in terms of injuries. Some young guys stepped up and performed and this was against what was supposedly the best team in the nation. Kudos to the Tigers!
Preview: I like give the Tigers the benefit of the doubt if I think they have a decent chance in a game and will sometimes pick them in an upset. This is not that time. I know what happened in 1993 - I was there! But this team is nowhere near as talented as that one was. In a couple of years, maybe. We will not beat Florida - they can only beat themselves if they have 6 or 7 turnovers. We also could hope for a rainstorm to nullify the passing game. Rex Grossman and Jabar Gaffney will tear our secondary to shreads. Duval will need at least 15 field goals to give us a chance. I see him getting maybe 4.
I'd love to have better news but the drama in this one will be if we can somehow manage to keep the score under 40 on the other side. Florida will continue their march to the National Championship.
Prediction: Florida 45 Auburn 12
TV: ESPN 6:45 CDTOctober 06 Mississippi State Bulldogs at Auburn (W 16-14)
Review: Another game to chalk up as a "win" but it was not very pretty. I have to make one comment first. In all the years I've been doing this fan page, I've never come closer to guessing the final score. Who could have guessed that Sherrill would have gone for two!
I was able to attend this game with my wife Debbie and another couple from our Sunday School class - Kevin and Judy. Kevin is a MSU grad but a Southern Miss fan so he was not terribly upset at the outcome. They were much more excited about seeing our beautiful campus and eating Guthrie's chicken fingers, drinking Toomer's Lemonade and squeezing into a crowded J&M Bookstore.
Auburn continued it's three game streak of three games scoring a quick touchdown in 2 or 3 plays then going scoreless in the rest of the half. I have yet to see Auburn sustain a drive in small bits and score a TD at the end since the Ole Miss game. The defense looked good at time and not so good at other times, but after the game was over, allowing 14 points was pretty good. It was hard to tell if Madkin was just overthrowing his receivers or if our coverage made hin do so. I thought we stopped the run better than we did the previous two weeks so that was a successful sign.
What can you say about Damon Duval. Sure, he missed another 50+ long FG but most teams would have punted. He made 3 kicks in the 4th quarter and won the game with 18 seconds left. NFL here he comes. His punting was also at its usual excellence which helped us win the field position game much of the game.October 13 Florida Gators at Auburn (W 23-20)
Review: When you are going to be wrong on a prediction, which I was, it better be this kind of wrong. What a fantastic game. Everything that had to happen for Aubutn to win did happen. We had a windy night to distort the passing game of grossman, we had good execution on special teams and our defense realy came out to play! The substitution of Daniel Cobb into the game provided a spark that seeme to ignite this team. Florida had 4 turnovers and they wer ecritical, but our defense was in position to get them so I give them a lot of credit. We had a lot of heart in this one. No one had trmendous offensive numbers but the most important one was 23.