It's finally here. After 40 weeks of endless waiting, game week is upon us. That means three more days until the first tailgaters show up. Four days until the first college football game of the year. Five days until the party gets started. Saturday is THIS close. I can smell it. I can feel it in the air. Six days until the boys in blue take the field again. Get pumped up.
War Damn Eagle
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Saturday, August 15, 2009
The General
The leader of this team has been chosen. There really isn't much to say that hasn't already been said. I was suprised by this move, but my faith is with the coaches, and Todd. As Grotus' Acorn points out, if Tubbs, Franklin, Leach, and the honorable Arthur Gustav Malzahn III have all seen the healthy Chris Todd and come to the same conclusion ("OMG i wanna have his babies!") then who am I to question this? Someone who's knowledge of college football is apparently not worth several million dollars, that's who.
So, in conclusion, WAR DAMN CHRIS TODD!
Also, Kodi Burns is the man. That is all.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
An Open Letter to Kirk Herbstreit
Dear Kirk,
I don't like you very much. It might be your smarmy attitude. Or your endless Ohio St. homerism. I'm not really sure. It's not a real hate or anything sinister like that. Just a general feeling of dislike. It may not even be your fault. It might be something you can't control. Maybe it's your face. I really can't say why, but whenever I see you, I really want to punch you right in your mouth.
That being said, I watched College Football Live today to see if our first day of practice would be mentioned, and guess who shows up? That's right, you. Once I put my TV back up on its stand (from kicking it off when you came on, of course) I decided I'd show some maturity and watch anyway. Sure enough, after a few minutes there was a segment on new head football coach Gene Chizik. In this segment, you (or whoever your boss is) decided to run that now infamous clip of the "Auburn fan" heckling Jay Jacobs when he landed in Auburn. Unfortunately, during the time when the events shown on College Football Live today took place, my blog was not up and running, so I could not express my opinion on the matter in a public forum. I decided that now is as good a time as any to write this open letter to you and make my opinion known.
Now, having said that I do not like you much, I must take this opportunity to say that I agreed with your sentiments on the show this afternoon (it's not unprecedented, you do say rational things from time to time, and are generally professional, so, uh, kudos). You said that this "fan" should be embarrassed, and I wholeheartedly agree. Kirk, I have been an Auburn fan since before I was born. I attended my first Auburn football game when I was half a year old. I am a third generation Auburn student and have been surrounded by Auburn people my whole life. Let me say now that whoever made that video and put it on the internet (which really just made him look foolish, not Jay Jacobs) is NOT an Auburn man. Auburn people may not have thought Coach Chizik the best choice at the time, but regardless, we made the decision as true Auburn people to get behind our coach, because that's what Auburn is about*.
Kirk, shortly after that video was made, there was a similar one filmed in the very same place. However, this one had a few subtle differences that I would like to point out. First of all, instead of one person shouting at the arriving plane, there were many (let me also point out that they were sober). The other difference is that these were Auburn people, not whatever that other sorry excuse for a fan is. The result was a much different video that, for whatever reason Kirk, you did not show on your show today.
So Kirk, the next time you show your face (dang, I just wanna deliver one of these right to your suck hole) and mention this particular occurrence, please be sure to mention that the overwhelming majority of Auburn people are like those who showed up in the video posted here, not the one you showed on ESPN. Because compared to these people, the clown that came to heckle Jay Jacobs really is just insignificant.
Sincerely,
Chris in Section 25
*PS: If you want to know how we feel about choosing to support the Coach Chizik right about now, I think this generally sums up our feelings toward Chizik to this point.
PPS: Ohio State blows! Ha!
I don't like you very much. It might be your smarmy attitude. Or your endless Ohio St. homerism. I'm not really sure. It's not a real hate or anything sinister like that. Just a general feeling of dislike. It may not even be your fault. It might be something you can't control. Maybe it's your face. I really can't say why, but whenever I see you, I really want to punch you right in your mouth.
That being said, I watched College Football Live today to see if our first day of practice would be mentioned, and guess who shows up? That's right, you. Once I put my TV back up on its stand (from kicking it off when you came on, of course) I decided I'd show some maturity and watch anyway. Sure enough, after a few minutes there was a segment on new head football coach Gene Chizik. In this segment, you (or whoever your boss is) decided to run that now infamous clip of the "Auburn fan" heckling Jay Jacobs when he landed in Auburn. Unfortunately, during the time when the events shown on College Football Live today took place, my blog was not up and running, so I could not express my opinion on the matter in a public forum. I decided that now is as good a time as any to write this open letter to you and make my opinion known.
Now, having said that I do not like you much, I must take this opportunity to say that I agreed with your sentiments on the show this afternoon (it's not unprecedented, you do say rational things from time to time, and are generally professional, so, uh, kudos). You said that this "fan" should be embarrassed, and I wholeheartedly agree. Kirk, I have been an Auburn fan since before I was born. I attended my first Auburn football game when I was half a year old. I am a third generation Auburn student and have been surrounded by Auburn people my whole life. Let me say now that whoever made that video and put it on the internet (which really just made him look foolish, not Jay Jacobs) is NOT an Auburn man. Auburn people may not have thought Coach Chizik the best choice at the time, but regardless, we made the decision as true Auburn people to get behind our coach, because that's what Auburn is about*.
Kirk, shortly after that video was made, there was a similar one filmed in the very same place. However, this one had a few subtle differences that I would like to point out. First of all, instead of one person shouting at the arriving plane, there were many (let me also point out that they were sober). The other difference is that these were Auburn people, not whatever that other sorry excuse for a fan is. The result was a much different video that, for whatever reason Kirk, you did not show on your show today.
So Kirk, the next time you show your face (dang, I just wanna deliver one of these right to your suck hole) and mention this particular occurrence, please be sure to mention that the overwhelming majority of Auburn people are like those who showed up in the video posted here, not the one you showed on ESPN. Because compared to these people, the clown that came to heckle Jay Jacobs really is just insignificant.
Sincerely,
Chris in Section 25
*PS: If you want to know how we feel about choosing to support the Coach Chizik right about now, I think this generally sums up our feelings toward Chizik to this point.
PPS: Ohio State blows! Ha!
Seven Years of Drought
This is the image my mind always conjures when I hear "August".And so we come to the longest month of the year. Football is so close. But so far away. So as the boys in blue open practice today, take heart in knowing that after this drought, there will be seven years of plenty.... or at least 14 weeks of plenty of college football.
Hang in there, Auburn! Four and a half weeks!
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Imaginary Interview: Antonio Coleman
"The power! I feel the power!" SECTION 25: Welcome to another installment of Section 25's series of interviews; informative, fascinating, interesting, fictional, non-existent, imaginary interviews.
Today, we have the pleasure of meeting with Auburn's Senior DE Antonio Coleman. Antonio is second-team pre-season All-SEC, and a noted scholar in areas that are generally reserved for totalitarian dictators. Hi Antonio, good to have you with us today.
ANTONIO COLEMAN: Good evening.
S25: I know you've got a lot on your plate, so we won't take too long. I know you've got to be in Birmingham at SEC Media Days soon. Are you excited about going?
AC: Excited? No. I do not permit myself to become excited. Such emotions jeopardize my abilities to make the cold, calculated decisions that are necessary to destroy my enemies.
S25: Wow, you really do take your job seriously. But I could swear I've seen you celebrating and displaying emotion on the field. How do you explain this:
Today, we have the pleasure of meeting with Auburn's Senior DE Antonio Coleman. Antonio is second-team pre-season All-SEC, and a noted scholar in areas that are generally reserved for totalitarian dictators. Hi Antonio, good to have you with us today.
ANTONIO COLEMAN: Good evening.
S25: I know you've got a lot on your plate, so we won't take too long. I know you've got to be in Birmingham at SEC Media Days soon. Are you excited about going?
AC: Excited? No. I do not permit myself to become excited. Such emotions jeopardize my abilities to make the cold, calculated decisions that are necessary to destroy my enemies.
S25: Wow, you really do take your job seriously. But I could swear I've seen you celebrating and displaying emotion on the field. How do you explain this:
AC: Chris! Your naivety amuses me. That so-called "emotion" was nothing more than a calculated display of bravado. It is merely a gesture to make known the extent of my abilities. To remind my enemies that I will be victorious. This instills a certain fear into their hearts which is beneficial to my ends.
S25: OK. Is it just me or did some of the happiness just leave the room? Anyway, Auburn is preparing to play against one of the tougher schedules in the nation. Being a senior, you've seen a lot of the tougher venues this conference has to offer. How are you preparing to deal with some of the more intense environments in college football including Neyland, Sanford, and Tiger Stadium?
AC: I have no fear of playing on my enemies' grounds. Allow me to illustrate. Few people know the true reason Auburn did not attend a bowl game this past year. I had become bored with football and sought new enemies. Therefore I decided that I must test my mettle against a new foe, but with a bowl on the schedule, I had not the time. Thus, through cunning means, I arranged the self-destruction of the football team. I then single-handedly started, fought, and won a ground war in Russia... in January.
So no, I do not fear these battlegrounds. In fact, "Death Valley" seems a pleasant place for a vacation. I must look into it.
S25: Well, I certainly feel much better about the outcome of last season now, although I would have thought I'd have heard something about that Russia thing in the news. When we spoke to Mario, he said he really liked playing for the new coaching staff. He seems to have taken the transition very well. How have you handled the transition, and do you enjoy playing under Coach Chizik?
AC: I am disappointed in you, Chris. I would have thought you had learned by now that not only have I handled this transition well, I also, shall we say, helped Mr. Jacobs along in his decision. You are not a quick learner. Perhaps I am treating you too softly and should teach you with a firmer hand in the future?
S25: Uh, no no. Of course not. So you do like Coach Chizik then?
AC: Coach Chizik has proven to be useful to me. But surely by now you've guessed my plan! Surely the genius of it is obvious to you! Coach Chizik will be around long enough to ensure that I am in the right position. And then, when the time is right, his position shall be MINE! BWAHAHAHA!
S25: Well, there you have it, folks! Antonio Coleman's quest for power knows no bounds. It appears he will not stop until he has the Auburn Football team under his command. If that ever happens, God help us. God help us all.
Join us next time for a joint interview with Kodi Burns and Neil Caudle.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Imaginary Interview: Mario Fannin
As we've passed the halfway point of summer classes, the attention of my fellow students and I turns toward the approaching football season. With August and fall practice approaching, many of my fellow blAUgers have taken to previewing the season and the team in many ways; game previews, incoming player profiles, etc... We here in Section 25 have decided to use our unique position to provide you, our faithful reader with something you can't find anywhere else; exclusive, personal interviews with coaches and players. Not only will these interviews be informative, interesting, and exclusive, but they will also be complete figments of our imaginations. So without further ado, here is the first in a series of Imaginary Interviews.
SECTION 25: Hi, and welcome to the first Imaginary Interview. Please, introduce yourself to our audience.
MARIO FANNIN: It's-a me! Mario!!
S25: Haha! Classic, classic. We knew you were a great football player, but I had no idea you had such a great sense of humor.
MF: Ho ho!
S25: Fantastic. So tell us Mario, how has your summer been?
MF: It's-a been-a good. We've-a been spendin a lotta time in-a the weight room. I feel like-a its-a been really productive.
S25: Umm, right. So tell us some about your workout routine. I expect it's a grueling schedule.
MF: It can-a be difficult. I like-a to run in-a the morning. I get outta my apartament, and I like-a to run on-a campus through the "Chilled-a Water Plant" on-a Duncan Drive. You know, right-a by the stadium!
S25: Wait, is that the one with all those big green pipes inside?
MF: Yes! You see, what I like-a to do is...
S25: Ok, I think I see where this is going. Moving on. Tell us what you think of new RB coach Curtis Luper.
MF: I really like-a him. He knows-a how to explain things to me. Like-a for example, he-a tells me to picture a giant-a turtle-like creature who has kidnapped-a my girlfriend standing in-a the endzone, and that-a really helps me to visualize-a my goal.
S25: Ok, Mario, you realize that just because your name is Mario doesn't make you the video game character, right? You're not even Italian.
MF: A-beep a de bop a de!
S25: What does that even mean?
MF: Oh look-a outta the window! A mushroom!
S25: Huh?
MF: [running out the door, presumably after a mushroom] I'm-a comin-a Peach!
S25: Well... uh... that was certainly an interesting first installment of Imaginary Interviews. Join us next time when our guest will be Defensive End Antonio Coleman.
SECTION 25: Hi, and welcome to the first Imaginary Interview. Please, introduce yourself to our audience.
MARIO FANNIN: It's-a me! Mario!!
S25: Haha! Classic, classic. We knew you were a great football player, but I had no idea you had such a great sense of humor.
MF: Ho ho!
S25: Fantastic. So tell us Mario, how has your summer been?
MF: It's-a been-a good. We've-a been spendin a lotta time in-a the weight room. I feel like-a its-a been really productive.
S25: Umm, right. So tell us some about your workout routine. I expect it's a grueling schedule.
MF: It can-a be difficult. I like-a to run in-a the morning. I get outta my apartament, and I like-a to run on-a campus through the "Chilled-a Water Plant" on-a Duncan Drive. You know, right-a by the stadium!
S25: Wait, is that the one with all those big green pipes inside?
MF: Yes! You see, what I like-a to do is...
S25: Ok, I think I see where this is going. Moving on. Tell us what you think of new RB coach Curtis Luper.
MF: I really like-a him. He knows-a how to explain things to me. Like-a for example, he-a tells me to picture a giant-a turtle-like creature who has kidnapped-a my girlfriend standing in-a the endzone, and that-a really helps me to visualize-a my goal.
S25: Ok, Mario, you realize that just because your name is Mario doesn't make you the video game character, right? You're not even Italian.
MF: A-beep a de bop a de!
S25: What does that even mean?
MF: Oh look-a outta the window! A mushroom!
S25: Huh?
MF: [running out the door, presumably after a mushroom] I'm-a comin-a Peach!
S25: Well... uh... that was certainly an interesting first installment of Imaginary Interviews. Join us next time when our guest will be Defensive End Antonio Coleman.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Something Interesting... AND Football Relevant!
So I've stumbled across some interesting information. I was at home for Dad's day the other weekend and in some down time I picked up one of our books regarding the 2004 football season. It took every game, includes a couple of articles from Inside the Auburn Tigers Magazine, and a number of pictures. It also included stats from every game. After about halfway through the season, I realized a surprising trend. Now it may be old news to some, or unsurprising to others, but here is what I discovered.
LA. MONROE:
Rushing Yards: 194
Passing Yards: 186
MISSISSIPPI STATE:
Rushing Yards: 283
Passing Yards: 182
LSU:
Rushing Yards: 131
Passing Yards: 170
CITADEL:
Rushing Yards: 234
Passing Yards: 359
TENNESSEE:
Rushing Yards: 107
Passing Yards: 186
LA. TECH:
Rushing Yards: 198
Passing Yards: 274
LA. MONROE:
Rushing Yards: 194
Passing Yards: 186
MISSISSIPPI STATE:
Rushing Yards: 283
Passing Yards: 182
LSU:
Rushing Yards: 131
Passing Yards: 170
CITADEL:
Rushing Yards: 234
Passing Yards: 359
TENNESSEE:
Rushing Yards: 107
Passing Yards: 186
LA. TECH:
Rushing Yards: 198
Passing Yards: 274
ARKANSAS:
Rushing Yards:225
Passing Yards: 297
KENTUCKY:
Rushing Yards: 210
Passing Yards: 127
OLE MISS:
Rushing Yards: 205
Passing Yards: 234
GEORGIA:
Rushing Yards: 186
Passing Yards: 218
ALABAMA:
Rushing Yards: 74
Passing Yards: 224
TENNESSEE (SEC Championship Game):
Rushing Yards: 185
Passing Yards: 374
VA. TECH:
Rushing Yards: 110
Passing Yards: 189
SEASON TOTALS:
Rushing Yards: 2342
Passing Yards: 3020
I was really surprised to see how often we passed for more yards than we rushed. For whatever reason I remember the thunder and lightning combo of Brown and Cadillac more than I do Campbell's passing.
We talk a lot around here about the running game, and how Auburn isn't Auburn without a running game, and I certainly agree. I've always been a traditional, conservative type of guy with a three yards and a cloud of dust mentality. Heck, even playing NCAA on the Xbox machine I have to run the ball. People get annoyed that I can't rear back and heave the ball even in a video game, but in my mind, it's just not right. But this just goes to show that no matter how good your running game is, in this day and age, there is NO substitute for a talented, experienced quarterback who can throw the ball; cool under pressure, a decision maker. And Auburn is no exception.
We can, and I believe should build our offense around the running game. But the quarterback will make or break this team.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)