The game was never in doubt; not even before kickoff did I think that AU could ultimately win the game. I knew that it could happen, I mean, AU would have to play a complete game and bama would have to play really poorly, but I knew that the better team would probably win. Having said that, it still doesn't lessen the feeling that losing causes.
Auburn had their chances to draw close even in the third quarter. Auburn took the opening kick in the 2nd half to the house to make it a 10 point game and then had the ball at midfield looking to make it a one score game. That is when the wheels fell off and has as a rule for all the losses this year. Auburn was facing a 4th and short and went for it and ran Dyer-cat. I don't know what Malzahn sees in that play, but it never and I mean never works. So, obviously, AU didn't get it and bama goes down and promptly scores essentially putting the game out of reach.
I sincerely hope that AU uses the bowl practices to groom Frazier to play next year. If Trotter or Moseley starts next year, I might have to boycott the football team. Trotter cannot throw and has no confidence and Moseley is the biggest baby I have ever seen. If there is any pressure at all he either folds like a deck of cards or throws an off balance throw that is no where near an AU receiver. He did that on the pick six yesterday. He was feeling a little pressure to his left, but the guard came over and rode him out of the play, but instead of stepping up in the pocket and making a throw, Moseley winced and threw an off-balance throw that sailed over Blake's head.
AU has been absolutely pathetic at QB this year and I'm hoping that either Frazier or Pike can come in and play much better. It really can't get much worse. I thought AU played well, but gave bama way too much, especially Richardson. He had a good game, but so has every other running back against AU. I mean, a freshman RB from Samford had over 100 yards. AU played weak on the ends and at corner and never challenged anyone. Au played scared and it showed up ugly in the 4th quarter.
Now, about bama. They may be one of the best two teams in the nation, but I firmly believe that if you cannot win your own division much less your conference, you should not play for the national title. The BCS is way too flawed and I really hope that a playoff will be looked at more seriously because of this. bama had their chance and lost. At home. So, they basically get rewarded for losing to LSU. They get to sit at home while LSU plays an extra game against a very improved and motivated UGA team. Doesn't seem right does it? People will say that a playoff will ruin the regular season making the games less meaningful. That is absolute crap. Don't tell me that there will less intensity when AU plays LSU or UGA or bama or when bama plays UT or LSU or AU. Also, you are playing for a chance at home field and everyone knows that home field in college football is huge. You lose, you may still make the playoff, but you will have to travel the first round. Also, there is no guarantee that you make the playoff if you lose even just one game. Look at Stanford. They were 4th and got beat and dropped to 9th. If that was the last game of the year, they would miss the playoffs after being in a position to host their first round game just the previous week. Also, every other division/sports use a playoff. Settle it on the field, not with some pencil-necked sports writer with an agenda and a vote. If you aren't a media darling like bama or Oklahoma or OSU then you have not shot unless you go undefeated. So far, only LSU has been able to do that this year.
Why is it fair or right to say bama is the best if they beat LSU in the natty after LSU already beat them on bama's home field earlier? Shouldn't they have a rubber match? So LSU has to beat bama twice to be champs, but bama only has to win once after they already lost to them? Just plain dumb. Please, please get a playoff. That is the only way we will know who deserves to be the champs. I know, just because you win one game doesn't mean you are the overall best, because anyone can win on any given day. But leaving it up to voters who are as biased and uninformed as me and you just can't be the best way.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Samford Preview
Auburn's Homecoming game today is Samford University out of Birmingham, AL. It also marks a homecoming for the current Samford head coach and former Auburn player and Heisman winner Pat Sullivan. Sullivan played for the Tigers from 68-71 and won the Heisman Trophy his senior year. He will be honored during the game today along with many of his teammates from the '71 team.
AU comes limping into this game after a shellacking at the hands of the Bulldogs. Auburn is looking for answers from both sides of the ball especially offensively. Defensively, everyone knew that AU would struggle this year, but offensively AU shouldn't be having this many problems. The line isn't blocking, the QB isn't looking to any other receivers besides Lutz and Blake and I believe Malazahn is being hamstrung. You say he isn't? Compare this year to '09 when the QB's were similar and the players were similar and AU put up big numbers and Chris "I can't run a lick" Todd broke records. I think Chizik is making Malzahn slow down the offense to help the defense. Add that to the fact that AU doesn't have a QB worth a poop right now and that equals a pretty pathetic offense.
On another note, rumors are swirling again that Malzahn is on top of the list for the head coaching job at UNC. Chizik says he hasn't been contacted but I think it's just a matter of time. Malzahn will be looking to leave for a good head coaching gig and to run his offense freely. UNC's AD was at Tulsa when Malzahn was there so I think it's probably a done deal. Chizik says he has a plan for when Malzahn does leave and I have no doubt he will hire someone that will do a great job. I think we will probably get a preview of our new Off Coord. today. His name is Rhett Lashlee and he is O coord at Samford. He was a GA under Malzahn last year and runs an offense very similar to Malzahn's. Of course Chris Morris from Clemson would be a great addition if he wanted to leave. Whatever happens, the new O coord will be loaded with talent and should do really well.
On to the game today: AU will roll but it may be closer than you think. I'm just not convinced this AU team can put anyone away early, even the FCS Samford team. Samford is very similar to AU in that they are very young and have played that way. AU will win and hopefully give some guys some rest to get ready for bama.
AU comes limping into this game after a shellacking at the hands of the Bulldogs. Auburn is looking for answers from both sides of the ball especially offensively. Defensively, everyone knew that AU would struggle this year, but offensively AU shouldn't be having this many problems. The line isn't blocking, the QB isn't looking to any other receivers besides Lutz and Blake and I believe Malazahn is being hamstrung. You say he isn't? Compare this year to '09 when the QB's were similar and the players were similar and AU put up big numbers and Chris "I can't run a lick" Todd broke records. I think Chizik is making Malzahn slow down the offense to help the defense. Add that to the fact that AU doesn't have a QB worth a poop right now and that equals a pretty pathetic offense.
On another note, rumors are swirling again that Malzahn is on top of the list for the head coaching job at UNC. Chizik says he hasn't been contacted but I think it's just a matter of time. Malzahn will be looking to leave for a good head coaching gig and to run his offense freely. UNC's AD was at Tulsa when Malzahn was there so I think it's probably a done deal. Chizik says he has a plan for when Malzahn does leave and I have no doubt he will hire someone that will do a great job. I think we will probably get a preview of our new Off Coord. today. His name is Rhett Lashlee and he is O coord at Samford. He was a GA under Malzahn last year and runs an offense very similar to Malzahn's. Of course Chris Morris from Clemson would be a great addition if he wanted to leave. Whatever happens, the new O coord will be loaded with talent and should do really well.
On to the game today: AU will roll but it may be closer than you think. I'm just not convinced this AU team can put anyone away early, even the FCS Samford team. Samford is very similar to AU in that they are very young and have played that way. AU will win and hopefully give some guys some rest to get ready for bama.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Throwing up and UGAly game
The title of this post is kind-of fitting. Early Wednesday morning my wife Erika woke up puking. Having three small children, if momma is sick, daddy aint going to work. Come to find out, my two oldest kids ended up getting sick a few hours later. Erika, ever the trooper, worked in her store for most of the day despite feeling nauseated and not being able to eat or drink anything all day. Let's just say that I couldn't do that. Ever. After cleaning up a two-year-old's vomit all day, I went to work the next day. I felt fine and was making plans to keep the kids on Friday afternoon after I got home. Erika and Addi were going to the American Girl Doll Store in Atlanta that morning and weren't going to be home til that night.
Thursday night about 10:30, I woke up to a raging case of diarrhea and vomiting that lasted all night into the morning and occurred about once an hour. Needless to say, I was out of commission all day Friday. Usually I can get over a stomach virus in about 12 hours but this one really kicked my butt. I felt miserable all day Friday and ended up losing 14 pounds in one day! Thus the reason why no Georgia preview.
This all lead up to the debaucle that was the Auburn Tigers "playing" against Georgia on Saturday. It started off poorly but AU hanging in there. After AU recovered the fumble at midfield and then promptly gave it right back, I believe that is when the team lost confidence and therefore the game.
There is, I believe, a lack of confidence in the huddle and that starts with the QB. I did not see the penalties and the fumbles and the missed blocking assignments last year. I know, an older, more experienced and better team, but the basics are not being done this year. Also, what is going on with the play calling? Is this all that Malzahn is comfortable allowing this team to run? AU tries to run a bubble screen and there is no blocking whatsoever from any receiver. Jay Wisner cannot block. If there is any pressure on Moseley at all, he folds. Why don't they roll him out every now and then? And why, if Keihl Frazier is the QB of the future, did they not put him in during the second half Saturday to get some experience? Did the coaches actually think that AU could come back from 38-7 down?
I know this team is young and learning, but good grief! AU took a step back this weekend and that was after a week off! What did they do? Defense, tackling, missed assignments, getting beat on coverage over and over and over. I'm so sick of the safeties getting beat every deep ball. Neiko Thorpe cannot cover. At all. Chris Davis took a few steps back Saturday. Darren Bates cannot play assignment football. All he wants to do is go blow someone up. Hey, how about play your lane, shed a blocker for once and make a play. Or at least slow the ball carrier up so someone else can make a play. I truly believe it is coaching and it's disappointing because Chizik is a defensive coach. Roof's technique has failed us three years now and it's time for a change. The only semblance of a good defense was last year and that was for only two and a half games at the end. When you have Bynes, Fairley and a senior laden D-line, you don't have to be a good coach to be successful. It's past time AU got a defense worth a crap.
Overall, AU is still in good shape. They should beat Samford this weekend and will in all liklihood get throttled by bama to end the regular season and then make a decent bowl game (Chick-fil-a most likely, maybe Outback). 7-5 is not bad considering most pundets had AU not going bowling at all and 7-5 as a miracle season. Looking back, maybe it was a miracle season. I'm sure I'll look back in a few years and realize how successful this team really was, but for now, it is frustrating. All I can do is cheer them on no matter what.
Thursday night about 10:30, I woke up to a raging case of diarrhea and vomiting that lasted all night into the morning and occurred about once an hour. Needless to say, I was out of commission all day Friday. Usually I can get over a stomach virus in about 12 hours but this one really kicked my butt. I felt miserable all day Friday and ended up losing 14 pounds in one day! Thus the reason why no Georgia preview.
This all lead up to the debaucle that was the Auburn Tigers "playing" against Georgia on Saturday. It started off poorly but AU hanging in there. After AU recovered the fumble at midfield and then promptly gave it right back, I believe that is when the team lost confidence and therefore the game.
There is, I believe, a lack of confidence in the huddle and that starts with the QB. I did not see the penalties and the fumbles and the missed blocking assignments last year. I know, an older, more experienced and better team, but the basics are not being done this year. Also, what is going on with the play calling? Is this all that Malzahn is comfortable allowing this team to run? AU tries to run a bubble screen and there is no blocking whatsoever from any receiver. Jay Wisner cannot block. If there is any pressure on Moseley at all, he folds. Why don't they roll him out every now and then? And why, if Keihl Frazier is the QB of the future, did they not put him in during the second half Saturday to get some experience? Did the coaches actually think that AU could come back from 38-7 down?
I know this team is young and learning, but good grief! AU took a step back this weekend and that was after a week off! What did they do? Defense, tackling, missed assignments, getting beat on coverage over and over and over. I'm so sick of the safeties getting beat every deep ball. Neiko Thorpe cannot cover. At all. Chris Davis took a few steps back Saturday. Darren Bates cannot play assignment football. All he wants to do is go blow someone up. Hey, how about play your lane, shed a blocker for once and make a play. Or at least slow the ball carrier up so someone else can make a play. I truly believe it is coaching and it's disappointing because Chizik is a defensive coach. Roof's technique has failed us three years now and it's time for a change. The only semblance of a good defense was last year and that was for only two and a half games at the end. When you have Bynes, Fairley and a senior laden D-line, you don't have to be a good coach to be successful. It's past time AU got a defense worth a crap.
Overall, AU is still in good shape. They should beat Samford this weekend and will in all liklihood get throttled by bama to end the regular season and then make a decent bowl game (Chick-fil-a most likely, maybe Outback). 7-5 is not bad considering most pundets had AU not going bowling at all and 7-5 as a miracle season. Looking back, maybe it was a miracle season. I'm sure I'll look back in a few years and realize how successful this team really was, but for now, it is frustrating. All I can do is cheer them on no matter what.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Ole Miss reax
This week has been crazy thus the late post. Auburn played a complete game in the 2nd half to pull away and beat the Rebel Black Bears 41-23 last Sat night in JHS. Auburn started really hot and got out to a 14-0 lead, but two turnovers and shotty run defense allowed Ole Miss to tie the game at 17 heading to half. Auburn came out with a vengence in the 2nd half and scored 24 straight points before giving up a meaningless touchdown with 1 second left. Funny thing, Ole Miss got an offensive penalty with less than a minute to go. By rule, 10 seconds were supposed to be taken off the clock, but Penn Wagers (the head ref) did not do that, thus allowing Ole Miss to have time to run another play and score against our 2nd string. I hate giving up late meaningless TD's but oh well, such is life.
Auburn played well in the 2nd half but the first half effort was not up to par. Auburn made too many mistakes and the D-line was getting pushed around. That cannot happen! Our D-line has underperformed for the most part this year and has been a big disappointment overall. I know they are still young, but I have not seen them play a complete game even against inferior opponents like FAU. Hopefully, they will continue to improve and play lights out the last three games. Moseley played really well going 12-15 for 160 yards and four touchdowns. Auburn has to have that kind of effort from now on to have a chance to win at least two out of the next three.
Auburn has this week off to rest and heal to get ready to play the Dawgs in Athens. This will be a hard fought game and will really test the meddle of this group. I think they have a great shot at winning, but will have to play all four quarters. Georgia will be looking to win to probably win the East this year and keep Mark Richt around for a little while longer.
Auburn played well in the 2nd half but the first half effort was not up to par. Auburn made too many mistakes and the D-line was getting pushed around. That cannot happen! Our D-line has underperformed for the most part this year and has been a big disappointment overall. I know they are still young, but I have not seen them play a complete game even against inferior opponents like FAU. Hopefully, they will continue to improve and play lights out the last three games. Moseley played really well going 12-15 for 160 yards and four touchdowns. Auburn has to have that kind of effort from now on to have a chance to win at least two out of the next three.
Auburn has this week off to rest and heal to get ready to play the Dawgs in Athens. This will be a hard fought game and will really test the meddle of this group. I think they have a great shot at winning, but will have to play all four quarters. Georgia will be looking to win to probably win the East this year and keep Mark Richt around for a little while longer.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Ole Miss preview
Auburn takes the field this weekend back in the friendly confines of Jordan-Hare Stadium to take on the Rebel Black Bears of Mississippi. Auburn is coming off one of its worst defeats in recent memory against arguably the best team in the nation. Ole Miss is limping in as well, sporting a 2-5 record, but is coming off a gutsy performance against Arky last week. Ole Miss led 17-0 at one point before Arky came back and won by 5.
Houston Nutt is still the coach at UM despite not being able to win consistently. Most say this game and the egg bowl will be his defining games this year and will likely decide his future as the coach of the Rebels and probably as an SEC coach. Miss has plenty of playmakers but has been hampered by the injury bug. Look for all the stops to be pulled and Ole Miss to play with nothing to lose. Miss has only won one SEC game since 2009 and that was Kentucky. Nutt usually pulls one out that he isn't supposed to and I hope that this isn't this weekend.
Auburn needs to regroup and decide how the rest of the year is going to play out. They have a chance to land a pretty good bowl game with a win Saturday almost guaranteeing them 7 wins. A month of extra practice is so critical at this point with all the young players, that Saturday is very important. I am interested to see how Moseley does with more time to throw the ball and not running for his life. Dyer has to get some carries and the line has to block and the receivers have to get open and catch the ball. Sounds elementary, right? Well, if that happens Saturday, AU wins. If not, it will be close. AU's defense has played better and I expect them to rebound this weekend.
Prediction: Look for AU to bounce back nicely from last weeks beatdown. I do expect UM to play well and possibly way over their heads for a while. If AU can withstand the initial barrage and stay close, I think they win. The key will be if AU can get ahead early, I believe UM will pack it in and AU should win going away. Eliminate stupid penalties and the big play and AU gets bowl eligible and looks forward to a much needed and deserved off week. A 3-2 record during this brutal stretch (not to mention hardest in the nation) with the nation's youngest and most inexperienced team would be a HUGE testament to this coaching staff in what a phenomenal job they have done. Losing 32+ players last year hurt so much more than I thought, but this team/staff has never once complained nor given excuses. They have practiced hard and gotten better and will be great sooner rather than later. Now that I'm off my soapbox:
AU 24 UM 16
Houston Nutt is still the coach at UM despite not being able to win consistently. Most say this game and the egg bowl will be his defining games this year and will likely decide his future as the coach of the Rebels and probably as an SEC coach. Miss has plenty of playmakers but has been hampered by the injury bug. Look for all the stops to be pulled and Ole Miss to play with nothing to lose. Miss has only won one SEC game since 2009 and that was Kentucky. Nutt usually pulls one out that he isn't supposed to and I hope that this isn't this weekend.
Auburn needs to regroup and decide how the rest of the year is going to play out. They have a chance to land a pretty good bowl game with a win Saturday almost guaranteeing them 7 wins. A month of extra practice is so critical at this point with all the young players, that Saturday is very important. I am interested to see how Moseley does with more time to throw the ball and not running for his life. Dyer has to get some carries and the line has to block and the receivers have to get open and catch the ball. Sounds elementary, right? Well, if that happens Saturday, AU wins. If not, it will be close. AU's defense has played better and I expect them to rebound this weekend.
Prediction: Look for AU to bounce back nicely from last weeks beatdown. I do expect UM to play well and possibly way over their heads for a while. If AU can withstand the initial barrage and stay close, I think they win. The key will be if AU can get ahead early, I believe UM will pack it in and AU should win going away. Eliminate stupid penalties and the big play and AU gets bowl eligible and looks forward to a much needed and deserved off week. A 3-2 record during this brutal stretch (not to mention hardest in the nation) with the nation's youngest and most inexperienced team would be a HUGE testament to this coaching staff in what a phenomenal job they have done. Losing 32+ players last year hurt so much more than I thought, but this team/staff has never once complained nor given excuses. They have practiced hard and gotten better and will be great sooner rather than later. Now that I'm off my soapbox:
AU 24 UM 16
Monday, October 24, 2011
LSU reax
Domination. That's all there was to it. LSU was not overlooking AU for bama or anyone else. That's why they are the #1 team in the nation. They take of business and punish you for mistakes. As much as I hate to say it, LSU played like I want AU to play: intense, fast, brutal. I did admire the way AU continued to play tough and not quit, despite being down 45-3 in the 4th. That was close to being AU's worst beatdown ever, but the good news is, AU will learn and get better from this.
Likes: Clint Moseley did really well despite being pressured EVERY single time he stepped back to pass. In his first start, he only made a few bad throws and had one BAD interecption. Against an elite group like this, that will kill you.
Cody Parkey hit his only field goal attempt and had two really good kickoffs out of three.
Running backs did pretty well even though they were running against what seemed like 15 guys at times. Lutz blocked well on the edge as did the receivers for the most part. When McCalebb got outside, he was able to make some good yardage (didnt happen much, tho).
D-line played hard and were overmatched but never quit. Despite being outweighed by about 30-40 pounds, I thought they held their own. However, LSU had 4.8 yards per carry so that won't get it done.
Dislikes: O-line. They got whipped in every aspect of the game. Many times, LSU had guys coming unblocked into the backfield. No, these were not safety blitzes. This was a tackle coming through unblocked; a missed assignment. A.J. Green, playing left tackle, the QB's blindside, got beat multiple times and Moseley rarely had time to set his feet much less make a decent throw. Very dissapointed in their play. I really thought these guys had taken a step forward and now they are about 3 back. Multiple injuries and playing freshmen and sophomores doesn't help, but these guys have to get better. It all starts in the trenches.
Punting was atrocious. Clark had his worst game of the year having 4 out 7 punts go for less than 30 yards. Most times these were not trying to pin LSU deep, either. HAVE to have a good game from him EVERY time, especially if this offense is going to continue to struggle.
DB's - young and inexperienced will get you beat by a good team. A great team will destroy you and that's what happened. Randle is an All-American and he showed why Saturday, running by the AU secondary at will. Good thing is, they will get better and learn from this (hopefully).
Overall, I'm not terribly dissapointed with the team even though it was an epic beatdown. AU played the possible national champions and held their own for a half. Take away the stupid, very avoidable and correctable penalites and AU may force LSU to punt sooner and possibly kept them from scoring their first TD. Also, take away the two big plays for TD's in the first half and AU has the lead. I know, that's alot of take aways but you know what I mean.
Everyone said that AU would probably go winless in October possibly winning one. Well, AU is 2-2 with a good chance to go 3-2 after this Saturday. As of this week, AU has the toughest schedule in the nation and the three losses have all come on the road against the #1, #6 and #8 teams. That is not bad at all. How many 3 loss teams can say that?
Ole Miss is this weekend and after the showing they put on against Arkansas, anything can happen. I expect AU to bury this loss and come out playing better, just like they have after the other losses. AU has a chance to play for a good New Year's bowl, but two big games loom with UM and UGA (I know bama is last, but barring a miracle, that's an L) to determine how the rest of the season goes.
Likes: Clint Moseley did really well despite being pressured EVERY single time he stepped back to pass. In his first start, he only made a few bad throws and had one BAD interecption. Against an elite group like this, that will kill you.
Cody Parkey hit his only field goal attempt and had two really good kickoffs out of three.
Running backs did pretty well even though they were running against what seemed like 15 guys at times. Lutz blocked well on the edge as did the receivers for the most part. When McCalebb got outside, he was able to make some good yardage (didnt happen much, tho).
D-line played hard and were overmatched but never quit. Despite being outweighed by about 30-40 pounds, I thought they held their own. However, LSU had 4.8 yards per carry so that won't get it done.
Dislikes: O-line. They got whipped in every aspect of the game. Many times, LSU had guys coming unblocked into the backfield. No, these were not safety blitzes. This was a tackle coming through unblocked; a missed assignment. A.J. Green, playing left tackle, the QB's blindside, got beat multiple times and Moseley rarely had time to set his feet much less make a decent throw. Very dissapointed in their play. I really thought these guys had taken a step forward and now they are about 3 back. Multiple injuries and playing freshmen and sophomores doesn't help, but these guys have to get better. It all starts in the trenches.
Punting was atrocious. Clark had his worst game of the year having 4 out 7 punts go for less than 30 yards. Most times these were not trying to pin LSU deep, either. HAVE to have a good game from him EVERY time, especially if this offense is going to continue to struggle.
DB's - young and inexperienced will get you beat by a good team. A great team will destroy you and that's what happened. Randle is an All-American and he showed why Saturday, running by the AU secondary at will. Good thing is, they will get better and learn from this (hopefully).
Overall, I'm not terribly dissapointed with the team even though it was an epic beatdown. AU played the possible national champions and held their own for a half. Take away the stupid, very avoidable and correctable penalites and AU may force LSU to punt sooner and possibly kept them from scoring their first TD. Also, take away the two big plays for TD's in the first half and AU has the lead. I know, that's alot of take aways but you know what I mean.
Everyone said that AU would probably go winless in October possibly winning one. Well, AU is 2-2 with a good chance to go 3-2 after this Saturday. As of this week, AU has the toughest schedule in the nation and the three losses have all come on the road against the #1, #6 and #8 teams. That is not bad at all. How many 3 loss teams can say that?
Ole Miss is this weekend and after the showing they put on against Arkansas, anything can happen. I expect AU to bury this loss and come out playing better, just like they have after the other losses. AU has a chance to play for a good New Year's bowl, but two big games loom with UM and UGA (I know bama is last, but barring a miracle, that's an L) to determine how the rest of the season goes.
Friday, October 21, 2011
LSU preview
Auburn travels to Baton Rouge, or the threshold of hell as some like to say, to take on the #1 team in the nation. A few of LSU's players made some headlines this week by getting themselves stupidly suspended for smoking some reefer. The Honey Badger himself Tyrann Mathieu, Spencer Ware and another CB were caught smoking synthetic marijuanna and have been suspended for this weekend's game vs AU. I'll bet you my left kidney that they will all be available to play in Tuscaloosa in two weeks, though.
Even with these three starters out, AU's chances of a win are slim at best. AU will have to play their best game of the year and will have to be able to consistently move the ball and control the line of scrimmage. This is a tall order against an LSU team that is dominate on the line on both sides of the ball.
Clint Moseley will be making his first start of the season in a very tough environment. Death Valley will be one of the loudest places he will have ever been to and to make his first start there can be an eye-opening experience. He will have to make plays and manage the game extremely well in order for AU to have a chance. AU must be able to pass block and Moseley has to find an open receiver and be able to complete it. The receivers HAVE to get open and then catch the flippin ball.
Mike Dyer will get alot of carries this game and the line must block for him in order, not only to open up the passing game, but also move the chains and control time of possession. The offense will need to be clicking and that is not something that has happened since the first half of the Clemson game.
The defense has been playing really well lately but against some pretty bad offenses, sans Arkansas. AU usually does a good job stopping power running teams and I believe that the defense will play well Saturday. Again, the D-line must put constant pressure on the QB's and force some bad throws. AU must win the turnover battle.
Special teams need to continue doing what they have been doing. Clark needs to flip field position with monster punts and high hang times and Parkey needs to continue to get touchbacks and hit field goals. Kick coverage needs to be spot on, get to the returner and tackle quickly.
All these things need to happen and then AU still only has a chance to win. This is probably going to be the toughest game AU will play all year. I know, bama is coming, but AU plays them at home so it drops below playing in BR, where AU hasn't won since Clinton was in office.
AU will keep it close, but LSU has too many athletes and is too deep on defense to lose this game. Playing in BR, albeit not at night woo hoo, will be hugely in favor of the home team.
Prediction: AU - 17 LSU - 28
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