Chizik building Auburn for the long haul
Auburn, Ala.—The media narrative on Gene Chizik was pretty much set in stone right after he became the head coach at Auburn: Very good defensive coordinator; went 5-19 in his first two years as a head coach; going to Alabama where Nick Saban started 12-0 last season and was ranked No. 1 on Championship Saturday.
In short, Chizik’s got no shot.
But I recently spent an afternoon in the coaching offices at Auburn. I don’t think these guys are reading that stuff. I saw a group of people with a plan. Is it going to be easy? No. It’s going to be quite difficult, in fact. It’s always difficult for Auburn once the flagship in Tuscaloosa gets up a head of steam.
Here are just a few impressions I got from my time at Auburn:
Chizik’s Iowa State experience actually helps Auburn: Chizik, a former defensive coordinator at Auburn (2002-2004), left for Texas after Auburn’s undefeated 2004 season. He felt the move created the best path to becoming a head coach. He was right.
By 2007 he was the head coach at Iowa State, where he went 5-19 (2-14 in Big 12) in two seasons. When he was hired as Auburn’s head coach that number was thrown around so much that it might as well have been stamped on his forehead.
“We didn’t get to where we wanted to go at Iowa State in two years,” Chizik said. “But we were building and I learned a lot. I really learned a lot.”
The bottom line if you’re an Auburn fan is that while Chizik was getting his brains beat out in the Big 12, he was learning how to be a head coach. This is no small thing. He was talking to Mack Brown of Texas and other friends about the million little details that you didn’t even know EXISTED before you become a head coach. Chizik’s pain at Iowa State should be Auburn’s gain.
This is a pretty strong coaching staff: One of the things he learned from Brown and others was that he should take his time in hiring a staff. There is so much impatience because of the recruiting calendar that many new coaches rush to put a staff together and get them on the road.
But Chizik would not hire anybody unless they met certain standards when it came to recruiting, personal character, and on-the-field coaching ability.
And while everybody was raving about the multi-million dollar staff at Tennessee, they also needed to look at this group.
Chizik hired Gus Malzahn away from Tulsa as his offensive coordinator. Chizik liked Malzahn because Tulsa led the nation in total offense (569.86 ypg) and because he is convinced that Malzahn is on the cutting edge when it comes to attacking fast, aggressive defenses like those in the SEC. He hired Ted Roof, the former Georgia Tech player and head coach at Duke, as his defensive coordinator. Roof has always been a strong recruiter in Georgia and brings the aggressive approach to defense that Chizik likes on that side of the ball. He needed a DC who was talented but not ego driven. That’s Roof.
Trooper Taylor was one of Tennessee’s best recruiters before he left for Oklahoma State in 2008. Tracy Rocker was an All-America DL at Auburn. Curtis Luper (running backs, recruiting coordinator) and Tommy Thigpen (safeties), a former player at North Carolina, are both considered to be strong recruiters.
“I’m glad I took my time,” Chizik said. “I am really pleased with this staff.”
Gus Malzahn is not Tony Franklin II: When Malzahn was brought on board some Auburn fans were scratching their heads. That’s because the painful memories of Tony Franklin and his spread offense were fresh. Franklin was fired halfway through last season amid a staff revolt and fans wondered if Chizik was going down that path again with a “gimmick” offense.
No. 1, everything that happened at Auburn last year was not Franklin’s fault. Franklin was brought in to make a radical change. He made mistakes, but so did others. It was never a good fit.
No. 2, and this is the important thing. Malzahn is installing his offense at Auburn with the help of a staff that completely buys in to what he is doing. Malzahn, an ultra successful high school coach in Arkansas, wants you to know that this is not a finesse offense
“In everything we do the first word is ‘physical,’ he said. “We run an up-tempo offense but we want to be tough and we want to run the ball.”
Last season Tulsa led the nation in total offense (569.86 ypg) and the Golden Hurricane was fifth in the nation in rushing (268.0 ypg) behind Navy, Oregon, Nevada, and Georgia Tech. They were ninth in passing (301.9 ypg).
“The formula that has historically made Auburn successful is a tough, physical running game and a very aggressive defense,” Chizik said. “That is not going to change.”
Auburn’s next recruiting class is very important: Because Chizik took his time in hiring a staff, his new coaches simply didn’t have enough time to recruit before national signing day. The returns on Chizik’s first recruiting class have been mixed, for whatever that is worth.
The larger point is this: National signing day in 2010 will be very important to the future of this staff at Auburn. Not only does Auburn need some serious upgrading in several positions (depth at offensive line is a big one), this staff also needs to send a message that it can and will go head to head with Alabama for the best prospects in the state. Auburn has never won all those battles because the state university, regardless of the state, always has some built in advantages. But Auburn’s got to win its fair share of the recruiting battles with Saban’s staff. Then Auburn has to rely on its proven formula which worked so well under Pat Dye: Go into Georgia and Atlanta and find those kids who want to leave the state. Then dip into Florida for some real difference makers.
“We have a great tradition of success at Auburn and so we have a great product to sell,” Chizik said. “Now we have to go out and sell it. That’s what we intend to do.”
Is Auburn going to take some lumps in this first season, when Western Division foes Alabama, LSU, and Ole Miss have a chance to be ranked in the Top 10?
Probably.
But Chizik and this staff are building an organization for the long haul. I’m not sure I’d bet against them.
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182 comments Add your comment
Max Sizemore
April 13th, 2009
8:14 am
The athletes in Tulsa’s conference are a serious step down from those in the SEC. The numbers Malzahn put up at Tulsa are irrelevant.
LSWho?
April 13th, 2009
8:33 am
Gotta like Chizik’s low key approach & good point about the staff he’s put together Tony. Patience will be key for AU fans (& for a QB to step up). Their defense should keep ‘em close most games this fall.
Tony, I know you love the history of the game. If you haven’t already check out Carlisle vs. Army by Lars Anderson, a great book about the 1912 epic that matched Eisenhower against Thorpe, great stuff.
Ben Miller
April 13th, 2009
8:37 am
Auburn had it’s best 10 year span from 1997-2007, and won 1 SEC Championship.
Alabama had it’s worst 10 year span from 1997-2007, and won 1 SEC Championsip.
36-0
ROLL TIDE ROLL!!!
Atlanta Gator
April 13th, 2009
8:42 am
Comments in response to Tony—-
Biggest factors favoring Chizik? He hired the entire staff, and they owe him their undivided loyalty. Everyone sinks or swims together, head coach, coordinators, assistants, players. Buy in to the program and the plan, and everyone has a chance to do well. Engage in the back-biting and internal turf battles that destroyed Tommy Tuberville as Auburn’s head coach, his last offensive coordinator, and his offensive team, and the same results are likely to repeat. Hopefully, everyone associated with the program knows that, including the prominent AU alumni who pushed Tubby out. They pushed for Chizik, and now they need to step back and give this guy a chance. There can be only one head coach, and it’s up to him and his coaching staff to prove themselves . . . and it’s going to take more than a season or two to return to the level of competitiveness that the Tigers had 5 years ago. So, everyone associated with the AU football program needs to take a deep breath, and recognize that this is going to be a process, not an instant turn-around.
Kid Ray
April 13th, 2009
8:45 am
Spread guys always claim, “our offense is NOT finesse!” despite all evidence to the contrary. I suspect they will have difficult problems converting 3rd and 4th and short.
CurlyHeadedDevil
April 13th, 2009
8:54 am
Urban Meyer has proven that “gimmick” offense, the spread, will not work in the SEC. This is “Big Boy” football down here. Get that gimmick offense out of here!
Basketball 101
April 13th, 2009
9:00 am
The Auburn football program was wrecked by the rogue defacto president, Bobby Lowder, who continued to meddle in football operations and micromanage every other aspect of the university. Lowder had undercut Tuberville for a number of years until Tubby had enough. The good thing going for Auburn is, Lowder’s banking empire has collapsed and he has big financial worries now. It is interesting to note that Lowder and Michael Adams were both born in Montgomery, AL. If there weren’t an age difference, it would appear that they were separated at birth. Auburn has some talented players and will surprise some people this season.
MtnBama
April 13th, 2009
9:04 am
Tony,your case for Coach Chizik is fatally flawed because even the most ardent anti Bama fans know that Coach saban owns the state of Alabama. He is also dominating everyone but Coach Richt in Georgia. Lets face it Auburn is going to have to expand it’s recruiting base both westward and to the north if they hope to recruit the talent necessary to compete successfully in the SEC west for the foreseeable future. I will say this if they can have some success offensively this year it will certainly make recruiting much easier, if they sputter this year they could be in for another very disappointing recruiting year which would probably mean that they will have little chance of fielding a quality team for at least three years.
Auburn News - 4/13/09 | MrSEC.com
April 13th, 2009
9:06 am
[...] been happening on The Plains:Tony Barnhart of The AJC believes that Auburn has put together “a pretty strong coaching staff.”Auburn has just eight scholarship offensive lineman and line coach Jeff Grimes knows, “we [...]
Where's Roswell Ed
April 13th, 2009
9:10 am
Tony,
Good job of trying to put lipstick on a pig. But the reality is that Tulsa was doing those type of offensive numbers for a couple years before Malzahn got there. In their bowl game against real competition I think the Tulsa offense largely got shut down.
Chizik’s head coaching is even worse than what you see on paper when you consider his 2-10 record last year was without playing the 3 giants of the Big 12 in Texas, Tex. Tech, and Oklahoma.
But hey, he did beat North Dakota State and Kent State. Auburn is about to enter the dark ages for some time to come.
Otto
April 13th, 2009
9:14 am
UF’s spread is anything but finesse. Chizik will have much better interaction with his coaches and players than Tubby ever had.
Bama maybe rolling but FSU has been falling. Auburn can still get their share of talent. Auburn has always loved to raid South Georgia with FSU.
Big Grey
April 13th, 2009
9:16 am
CurlyHeadedDevil- this just made me laugh out loud to funny
ehyoutiger
April 13th, 2009
9:31 am
Thanks for the nice write-up Tony. We are very excited about the new coaching staff. I love hearing a lot of folks saying that they’re counting out Auburn. I find people eating their words to be satisfying.
Miles
April 13th, 2009
9:38 am
The long haul? Since when was any SEC coach hired for the long haul? He’s got three years. If things don’t improve, he’ll be gone. Planning for the long haul in the SEC in nonexistent.
Dean
April 13th, 2009
9:53 am
As a Georgia fan I’ve always been very wary of Auburn when they are counted out. They’ve always had a good system in place since Pat Dye’s days, and other than an occasinal dip like last year they are always strong. I’m sure Chizik and his staff will have them ready to play every week.
gatorman770
April 13th, 2009
9:58 am
2006 and 2008 BCS Champions…….enough said for Urban’s offense “that will never work in the SEC”!
Go GATORS
Dean
April 13th, 2009
10:12 am
Yeah Gator, I don’t know why people are arguing about this “gimmick” talk. It’s been provem to work very well in Gainesville.
jabster
April 13th, 2009
10:12 am
Be ready to rack up mucho points on Auburn this year, as the “Leaky Roof” defense gets implemented…
Got 12?
April 13th, 2009
10:21 am
In today’s SEC, schemes are nice but talent is what wins games and championships (assuming you have competent coaching). Auburn fans should be patient. It will take a couple of years.
BAMA STAN
April 13th, 2009
10:29 am
12 NATIONAL TITLES – 21 SEC TITLES!!!
Need to take a wait and see approach with Auburn. I like the staff Coach Chizik has put together …. on paper at least. Maybe 2 or 3 seasons before they challange for the SEC West – beyond that – Auburn (Lowder) will run out of patience.
Auburn in 2009 – could surprise a few folks. The Tennessee game will be real interesting due to the fact that both programs have entire new staffs.
Also – look for Auburn to surprise UGA with yet another hard fought game. UGA/Auburn is always interesting and defies logic – never bet on this game. I’ve seen to many UGA/Auburn games where the clear cut underdog beats the higher ranked opponent.
As far as recruiting – Auburn will get their share of good athletes. Their geography is ideal to hit Florida – Atlanta – South Georgia – and can get some Alabama players as well.
I respectuflly disagree with MtnBama comments about Saban taking a back seat to Caoch Richt in the state of Georgia. It is true that Saban owns Alabama – that is the target state – then he will fill in the void with Georgia and Florida recruits – which he will get his share as he as all ready proven. Look at our last recruiting class and you will see what I am talking about.
ROLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL TIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bamafan
April 13th, 2009
10:29 am
The new head football coach at Auburn knows to keep his mouth shut unlike boy blunder at UT.
Chizik hired a good football staff and will give Bama trouble in the future. Just hope the big shots
at Auburn don’t run off Chizik if he does turn the program quickly!! Running off Coach Tubbs was
the stupidest thing Auburn has ever done!!
Alan
April 13th, 2009
10:33 am
For the Tider, 1997-2007 was not Auburns best 10 years ever and not even close. Keep saying that to make yourself feel better though.
As for Wheres ED, Tulsas offenses were not even close to what Malzahn was doing beofre he got there. Look at the stats. Ask Todd Graham who is a defensive minded coach by the way. And you say Tulsa struggled in their bowl game?? LOL Thats hilarious considering they got over 500 yards of offense in a rainstorm in Mobile.
Listen, I understand if you think AU may struggle or whatnot, but please use facts and at least have an idea on what you are talking about. It wont make you look as dumb.
Alan
April 13th, 2009
10:36 am
Bamafan and Bamastan, you guys make too much sense on here to be Bama fans!
Nice to see someone being objective instead of letting the rivalry and hate get to thier head and do the talking for them. Good luck this year.
tiger7_88
April 13th, 2009
10:37 am
Sizemore said “The athletes in Tulsa’s conference are a serious step down from those in the SEC. The numbers Malzahn put up at Tulsa are irrelevant.” Both statements are technically true. But the “Tulsa/C-USA athletes aren’t as good as SEC athletes” mantra is true, it’s incomplete. Yes, Malzahn’s offense was playing against C-USA defenses. But the point being missed was Malzahn’s offense was USING C-USA players to play. So the match-up itself was equal.
Malzahn’s offense at Arkansas, against SEC defenses, was solid and high-powered. Well, then the excuse is “Well, anybody can have a good offense with Darren McFadden as your running back”. Sometimes true, but not always. Horrible offensive coordinators can make great players look pedestrian, like Auburn in 2003 with Hugh Nall as the offensive coordinator and Cadillac Williams and Ronnie Brown at running back and Jason Campbell at quarterback. Next year in 2004, with a competent OC, Auburn goes undefeated.
Will Malzahn again have success in the SEC? You never know. Personally, I think he will be. But statements like “Well, the SEC isn’t Conference USA” and “He was only good in the SEC because of a great running back” are red herrings.
Otto
April 13th, 2009
10:39 am
Bamafan, running off Tubbs was a step forward for the program the team was never as well run as it looked on the outside. The big mistake in Auburn was running off Borges.
Yes the high powered Auburn Alums do need to fully back Chizik. He has a good staff and it will take a little time to rebuild after recruiting seasons that suffered from a duck hunting trip and putting together a new staff.
I still think Auburn upsets a few people for a respectable season. They may not be in the mix to win the west but they may decide the winner.
tiger7_88
April 13th, 2009
10:46 am
Hey, Where’s Roswell Ed… if by “In their bowl game against real competition I think the Tulsa offense largely got shut down.” you mean “In their bowl game Tulsa had 632 yards of total offense, scoring 45 points on 439 total yards rushing and 193 total yards passing”, then you absolutely NAILED that one, dude.
Now that you know the facts, you can actually try to do some actual research and come up with another weak excuse.
ReptilesRule
April 13th, 2009
10:51 am
I just don’t know about these guys with 5-and whatever records coming into a conference like the SEC and being all that successful. I guess I’ll believe it when I see it. At least Chizik is keeping his mouth shut while building his program unlike that imbecile over at Tenn, so I’ll give him early credit for that and maybe AU can sneak up on some people this year. Auburn biggest problem with getting back to “elite” status is called Alabama. I’m no Nick Saban fan but I will give the man his due…he’s an accomplished college coach and recruiter. As long as he keeps getting the top Alabama state players I think it’s going to be very hard for AU to catch up. I think they’re gonna have to almost concentrate more out of state. Also, the “spread” is only successful if it is run to fit your personnel. Florida has a 6′3″ 245lb bulldozer superman freak at QB who can throw the ball and run equally as well. He is basically the power running game and then you have speed demons at the other skill posiitions. It is the perfect storm when you talk about the spread. Next year they will probably use Brantley as the passer and one of the hosses (I think the QB they’re bringing in this year is 6′4″ 245) as the runner.
Dean
April 13th, 2009
10:56 am
The thing is that Auburn didn’t really go down. They had a bad year which unfortunately coincided with Bama’s resurgence. Same for Tennessee. And when you look at it, both those teams just had a offensinve meltdown and each had a a first year O-Coordinator. I just don’t see that either team is going to take a step backwards. They will continue to be strong teams that can compete. I do have to think that UT is taking the more risky coach in this equation simply becuase I think that either way (succeed or fail) he will be gone in 3 years. I also think Kiffin is more prone to give the school a black eye in the end.
CycloneFan
April 13th, 2009
10:57 am
I used to really hate Notre Dame and Nebraska football. I want to thank Gene Chizik for giving me a new number one team to root against.
KillerTiger
April 13th, 2009
11:00 am
Yea, 12 national titles…lol. Whatever helps you sleep at night. Enjoy that Houlgate title where you went 9-4.
As far the other guy, 1997 to 2007 was not Bammer’s worst period. You were worse during the 50’s.
And 1997 and 2007 is not even close to the best decade for Auburn football. As a matter or fact, from 1957 to 1997 Auburn won 70 percent of its games which was 9th nationally over that time period. Auburn only won 68 percent of its games between 1997 and 2007. Oh well, don’t let the facts get in the way of a good story.
Dean
April 13th, 2009
11:00 am
On the Georgia side of the recruiting issue Auburn has a strange advanage. Most of the athletes that they get from Georgia are kids that Georgia overlooked. Then, when the play UGA they want to beat the heck out of the in state school that overlooked them. Bama and Georgia will continue to get the top notch high school talent for their respective states. Auburn get the fighters who want to prove themselves. I honestly don’t know why I’m giving so much respect to Auburn. But hey, they run a clean program and our battle with them is so unusual that we just tip our caps to one another.
Alan
April 13th, 2009
11:03 am
Dean, come on over to the Plains. We welcome you with open arms
Alan
April 13th, 2009
11:04 am
Why hate us Cyclone, we gave you Paul Rhoads…………
Alan
April 13th, 2009
11:05 am
……or maybe that’s why you will hate us!!
BAMA STAN
April 13th, 2009
11:17 am
12 NATIONAL TITLES – 21 SEC TITLES!!!
Auburn Projection for 2009 season:
WINS (5)
La Tech
Miss State
Ball State
Kentucky
Furman
Losses (2)
LSU
Alabama
50/50 (5)
West Virginia – Auburn has a shot – WV has not looked as impressive with their “new” coach – and lossing their heart and soul – Pat White. Auburn could win this game.
Tennessee – close game last year – giving Tennessee an edge.
Arkansas – Very interesting match up – Gus Malzahn will want to win this game (and Ole Miss) very badly – 50/50 game.
Ole Miss – Again – I think Ole Miss is as good as they are going to be -but will not be able to break through the ceiling against the SEC West elites (Bama and LSU). Kind of like UGA in the Donnan era (good athletic hard hitting teams – but could not get by Tennessee and Florida – and always won their bowl games). Malzahn will want this win badly!! But I think Ole Miss will win this game.
UGA – UGA should be favored – but as stated in a previous post – never bet on this game – too much weird history with the overwhelming favorite gets beat in their home stadium. I am not sold on UGA in 2009 – big question marks on defense and offense. This will be the worst set of running backs that UGA has fielded in my lifetime – King is weak and is scared. Thomas is fast – but goes down easy – just too small. Samuels is big and stiff – runs hard strait ahead – has no wiggle or talent to make people miss. Should be a Linebacker where I think he will end up and would be a star as he has no fear. However – I give UGA the edge in this game.
So where does that leave Auburn?
- Until proven otherwise – hard to give them the benefit of the doubt. But they should be solid on defense – keeping them in some of the 50/50 games.
Predictions:
Most likely 6-6
With a little luck: 7-5
Best Case Scenerio: 8-4
ROLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL TIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Saint Nick
April 13th, 2009
11:20 am
Tiger7_88,
Tulsa got shut down by none other that ARKANSAS!!!!! They had 23 points!!!! The same Arkansas defense that gave up in 7 losses an average of 36 points!!!! The Aubbies are gonna LIGHT THE SCOREBOARDS UP!!!! Cow college goes 5-7!!!! It’s gonna be great to watch this train wreck unfold!!! Tony, I love to read your blogs, BUT this is the worst blog you have ever written!!! Cheezwiz picked the worst school to come in and rebuild. Auburn will have a hard time getting the great players from the state and they do a lot of recruiting in west GA, BUT recruiting against UGA and now Tech and Fla on some recruits…. Its gonna be like trying to fly a kite in a tornado!!! Good luck Aubbies, get used to 5 and 6 win seasons!!!!
Otto
April 13th, 2009
11:20 am
Dean Auburn has always been a status symbol for Cobb kids since the 60s. They went out of state because they could and Auburn was still relatively close to home. Auburn has always recruited well in the Atlanta area.
Otto
April 13th, 2009
11:29 am
Nick recruiting against Fla is nothing new and FSU is down. FSU was the big competition down in Southwest Ga. and Southern Alabama.
GT we’ll see what everyone is saying in a couple of years. CPJ beat his rival once and was blown out in a bowl. It is easier to sell many college kids on Auburn over living downtown that close to home at a school that doesn’t have many women.
Chizik also should have connections to raid Texas like LSU and UGA have been.
Alan
April 13th, 2009
11:34 am
Good assessment Stan, I believe thats fair.
As for St Nick, first of all Tulsa did about ten times better against Arkansas than we did with about half the athletes so your pint there is about as lama as your username.
Second of all, we have always recruited this same territory against the same teams and have never ever had to get used to 5 and 6 win seasosns in our history. You may not know it since you wear crimson fanny packs, but Auburn has a winning record over every SEC team except LSU (2 games) and Bama (6 games). We also lead the series vs every SEC team since 1980 except against UF. Also have more league titles than you over that same span. We are the number 12 team all time in AP Poll and number 13 all time in wins. Not trying to beat our chest, just letting you know that weve been here awhile and arent going anywhere anytime soon.
Your post is about as ignorant as me saying that Bama would never be good again just because of 1997,2000,2003,2004,2006 and 2007 when you were either terrible or right around average. See that logic.
whitx2
April 13th, 2009
11:35 am
Curly
Put that crackpipe down son, to early in the morning for that stuff. Poor ole UM and fla. Just can’t get that offence to work, can they?
Pat Dye's Liver
April 13th, 2009
11:44 am
Cheeznip went winless in the Big 12 without playing Texas, Oklahoma or Texas Tech! That is priceless. He will not still be the auburn coach in 2011. Guaranteed.
Rett
April 13th, 2009
11:46 am
The athletes playing for UTAH were a step-down, but that didn’t stop them from hanging 30+ on bama in the Sugar Bowl. I don’t think that people realize that athletes across the board (regardless of BCS conferences) are still phenominal. That is why Boise beats Oklahoma, and Utah beats bama.
Otto
April 13th, 2009
11:49 am
Alan great post, Stan good assessment on the schedule. I am not sold on LSU and they could be a 50/50 Les has been living off great talent and mediocre offense play calling.
Auburn was in every game except Bama last year. If they had a better QB and OC they could have easily won a few more. Yes if’s and woulda coulda shoulda do not count for much but Aubrn has a foundation for a decent staff to go 8-4. Hopefully Caudle or Trotter steps up this year.
Tenn. I give Auburn the edge as the staff so far has looked much better and Tenn. has nobody at QB.
Ole Miss I very much agree. Auburn could win or a solid DL and a solid QB for the Rebels could carry the day.
As a UGA fan who has ties to Auburn the UGA/Auburn game bothers me. It setting up to be alot like the ‘06 game where UGA was making errors during the season and put everything together in that game. As fans of both schools know records do not stand for anything when the game starts. Auburn is due a big win in Athens.
UnderDawg
April 13th, 2009
11:54 am
Good question earlier……just where the hell IS Roswell Ed these days, anyway?
Bear's Liver, Price's pants, Nick's height, Dubose secretary, Gene's money funneling
April 13th, 2009
11:55 am
Two can play that game.
But in reality, this just messes up good football talk.
JB
April 13th, 2009
12:21 pm
There are appox 125-150 div. 1 players in Georgia every year. Richt will sign 15 or so FROM GEORGIA.
Tech will get 10-12. So yes, AU and Bama will step in and get some players. Hell, it’s fertile ground over here. 7 or 8 top wide outs every year. Richt will sign TWO. Tech doesn’t throw the ball, so they gotta go somewhere. I don’t get real excited when Bama and AU come to Georgia to get players. The Numbers say it’s going to happen.
This is BBF
April 13th, 2009
12:24 pm
Big Boy Football …. Let me tell you …. You better believe it …. 21-17 …. 28-24 …. 17-14 …. 35-31 …. 24-17 …. If AU played in any conf. other than the SEC would they go undefeated? You betcha.
Saint Nick
April 13th, 2009
12:34 pm
Alan,
If Malzohn could bring his offensive skill players from Tulsa to the cow college, HE WOULD!!! Tulsa has better Offensive talent(with the exeption of the line) So, your comment about “him doing more with less” is cliche and downright ignorant!!!!!! Cheezwiz did nothing with less at Iowa State, Auburn should have hired Turner Gill, NOW THAT IS SOMEONE WHO DOES MORE WITH LESS!!!! SYRACUSE SHOULD HAVE HIRED HIM!!!! But back to the aubbies, I think Chizik is a great colonel and a lousy general. After 2 years with 6 or 7 losses, Jacobs and Chizik will get run!!!!RTR!!!!
Dean
April 13th, 2009
12:42 pm
I think Turner Gill could of been a very positive hire but I really don’t see why no one is willing to give Charlie Strong a shot at head coach. He consistently fields a solid defense and his connections to Flroda recruiting would be immeasurable. I was surprised he was never even a candidate for the Auburn job.
PTC DAWG
April 13th, 2009
12:44 pm
I still can’t believe Au fired Wingnut…and hired this guy? Bama fans have to be loving it.
Dutch
April 13th, 2009
12:44 pm
Chizik is a JOKE. There is nothing you could write Tony that would assuage anyone’s concern at Auburn that this was a mistake from the beginning. I suspect all the “naysayers” will proven correct and this hire will provide the impetus to remove Jay Jacobs (a total idiot and “yes-man” for Lowder), Tim Jackson (as asst. AD an even bigger idiot than Jacobs….. and that’s saying something), Chizik himself and perhaps Jimmy Rane (one booster who’s checkbook doesn’t match his fat mouth. At least Lowder gives TONS of money). Auburn has 10 years of “doormat” coming there way.
But, if you know your college football history Tony (and I suspect you do), that’s the real mark of Auburn Football success. After they sink back into their dormancy or “hibernation” and struggle to make bowl games, the team in Tuscaloosa becomes complacent. Then, all of a sudden, Auburn rips off a couple solid years and that wakes Alabama up and thus, the cycle begins all over again. The problem for Auburn is that without an Alabama probation, they’ve never been much of a contender. 2004 is the closest they’d ever come to being in the National Title “talk” and their problem was nothing other than the nation had seen Auburn LOSE to USC the previous two years and didn’t want to see it again.
Chizik is dead in the water. Chizik has about as much chance as a Somali Pirate fighting a Navy SEAL.
Saint Nick
April 13th, 2009
12:47 pm
Great point Dean, if Bama was looking for a coach, I want Strong or Gill!!!! I don’t know why THAT guy doesn’t have a Head Coaching Job at a big-time school!!!
Dean
April 13th, 2009
12:49 pm
Yeah SaintNick. I’d feel the same way if Georgia was looking for a coach, unless of course we could lure Saban away!
Ross
April 13th, 2009
12:51 pm
“The athletes in Tulsa’s conference are a serious step down from those in the SEC. The numbers Malzahn put up at Tulsa are irrelevant.”
This logic is horrendous. At Tulsa Malzahn coached that talent against similiar caliber talent, and at Auburn Malzahn will be coaching SEC talent against similiar caliber talent. I’m not saying he will put up the same type numbers, because Auburn have certain issues such as a complete lack of depth on offensive line that will hamper our offense in this coming year.
Also, for the record, he coached a top offense at Arkansas the year before he went to Tulsa.
TigerTim
April 13th, 2009
12:54 pm
I hate to pile on here, but the guy who said Malzahn’s offenses at Tulsa got shut down in their bowl games deserves a complete answer. A few people have already commented on the most recent bowl game. However, in Gus’ first year as Tulsa’s Offensive Coordinator, they beat Bowling Green in their bowl game 63-7. As an Auburn fan, I can only hope we get “shut down” like that.
The Big Bug
April 13th, 2009
1:13 pm
Roswell Ed was on the blogs constantly. He went back into the woodwork never to see the light of day. That’s a real nightmare over there at AU. Sad really.
BBF, Are you nuts?
Saint Nick
April 13th, 2009
1:13 pm
Don’t hold your breathe!!!!!!!!
Shonuff
April 13th, 2009
1:28 pm
Just a note to Alabama fans: including Bear Bryant’s last year as coach, Auburn has a 16-11 Iron Bowl record in that span, more SEC championships, more undefeated seasons and a Heisman Trophy winner, the ever-elusive trophy for Alabama. My point, Alabama’s powerhouse tradition hinges largely on an era that ended nearly three decades ago. Auburn has been anything but little brother in the state in the last 27 years.
That said, Alabama is clearly the better football team right now. Auburn could easily be a 5-7 or 6-6 team in 2009. Or, Auburn could be a nine-win team. The fact is, AU’s success relies in large part on intangibles that the casual fan and football pundit can’t possibly see. Chizik’s ISU record isn’t really a good indication of what he’s capable of doing, as Iowa State is little brother in *that* state, only big brother is Iowa. Even mid-tier Big 12 teams have more tradition that ISU (Colo., Nebraska), making Ames, Iowa a recruiting black hole. Chizik could very well miss the mark on the Plains, but comparing a two-year stint at ISU to this gig is apples to steak. The C-USA banter is somewhat reasonable, but someone else mentioned it first–comparatively speaking, Tulsa was working with the same talent. More than anything, coaching wins games in college football (see ‘08 Bama), and so far, Gus Malzahn has done nothing to prove he’s a bad coach. If anything, he’s only been a successful coach at every level, and what more can someone do? We’ll see if that carries over to Auburn.
Lastly, the recruiting class at Auburn wasn’t really that bad, actually. A top-20 Rivals class, top25 ESPN class, top-20 Scout class. Considering the utter meltdown that occurred with that football team, including the controversy over Chizik’s hire and the school being tagged as racist by the national media, it was amazing that the staff could cobble together any kind of recruiting class. Instead, they landed four ESPN 150 recruits, and a slew of near 150 and top-position talent. And they put that class together in just a few weeks–not a year.
It’ll certainly be a process. Auburn has a few years before anyone is intimidated by them. Alabama certainly has the leg up on coaching, recruiting and on-field talent, and should (*should*, no *will*) win the next couple of Iron Bowls. Auburn is the #4 team in the West, and will most likely finish that way by year’s end. But to look at the school as an also-ran, in any fashion–particularly given their 5-2 seven-game record (winning four in a row) against UT, 2-0 record against slick Urban, on-off rivalry with UGA and recent six-game streak against Bama–is short-sighted and uneducated, to say the least.
BAMA STAN
April 13th, 2009
1:34 pm
12 NATIONAL TITLES – 21 SEC TITLE!!!!
OTTO – you are right, Auburn was in every game last year – except for Bama. The base is there – however, it will take a season for the staff to really gel.
I respectfully disagree with you regarding LSU – here’s why:
1. Defense – will be a beast, upgrade in DC, athletic and very deep.
Got there nose bloodied last year in a “rebuild” year. The experience and pain they went through in 2008 will pay dividends in 2009. Watching the Tech game – the defense came together and played very well.
2. Offense – LSU found their QB at the end of the season and now they have an incredible talent coming in as well. QB play was the issue for LSU last year.
3. Recruiting – Yes, Coach Miles has done well with the excellent talent he inherited from Saban – but Mile’s recruiting classes the last two seasons have been very good.
It will come down to Bama and LSU for the SEC West in 2009. LSU will have a quality team and if they gel as a team and minimize mistakes – they will be hard to beat. However, I feel the same about BAMA.
The real challange in 2009 is to unseat Florida – back to back is tough to accomplish – but with returning every defensive starter – and the leadership to keep them grounded (Tebow and Meyer) – This team has an excellent chance to win it all again.
As for UGA;
2009 will be a good year for the Dogs in what could be potentially Richt’s worst team – a “DOWN” year for Richt. I think that 2009 team will be similar to 2008 – maybe not as good due to the skill position players that left.
Player concerns:
QB – maybe a vocal leader – but average skills.
RB – worst running backs at UGA in a long long time.
– King runs scared and with zero confidence – not a good pass blocker. He is a bust.
– C. Thomas – has speed – but very small and goes down easy.
– Samuels – A LB playing RB – hard runner – straight at you – no wiggle or elusive talent.
OL – should be better – if healthy.
WR/TE – will miss Massaquoi more now that Durham is out for 2009. Still a good position for UGA. Chandler at T/E was weak.
Defense – will probably be improved over 2008 – A healthy Jeff Owens will help the DE play.
LB play will be better than I was giving credit a few weeks ago.
DE play will be key.
DB’s – should be OK in this position.
Dogs will probably be 8-4
At Best 10 -2
Get’s lucky breaks – 9-3
Disaster strikes – 7-5
Losses:
LSU
Florida
Wins:
AZ State
Vandy
Tenn Tech
Key games – 50/50
OK State – OK ST. will be favored – HUGE HUGE game for this team. Returns all key personnel with depth against one of Richt’s worst teams. UGA Defense has got to step up. OK ST has the edge
So Carolina – always nasty tough game – UGA the edge
Arkansas – will be much improved – again – against a “down” Richt team. UGA has the edge – but could be an upset.
Tennessee – HUGE game for Kiffin as he is trying to catch up to Florida – he could care less about UGA – Florida is the team he is after. UGA should have the edge
Auburn – at Athens – UGA should be favored – meaning Auburn could win this one! Weird series!
GT – GT will be better – but let’s be honest – UGA’s defense totally choked in the second half. I think UGA will defens better in 2009 – but will be an exciting game. Give edge to UGA
AGAIN – In what amounts to potentially Richt’s worst team since he arrived (since his first year) – UGA still could win 10 games if they step up – best case scenerio, 9 games if lucky – probably win 8 games – and 7 games if disaster strikes.
ROLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL TIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My Dealer is an UA LB
April 13th, 2009
1:52 pm
12 National Championships? … The Real Story
I just wanted to clear up a few misconceptions about Alabama’s claim to 12 national championships based on fact rather than bias. Credit is given where credit is due.
To clear up confusion, the word retroactive means they went back in time to award the championship.
‘TWELVE’ national championships is fraudulent, nothing but pure bunk ginned up by the SID Department. Here’s a rundown:
1925 National Championship- Alabama claims they share this one with Dartmouth. Who awarded the NC? Houlgate and Helms. Houlgate started his system in 1927. So Bama won their 1925 NC using a formula that didn’t exist until 1927? Helms Athletic Foundation started in 1941. Another incredible retroactive NC.
The Associated Press Poll has been active since 1936. The AP took their final poll prior to bowl games from 1936 – 1964 and in 1966 and 1967. They took their final poll after the bowl games in 1965 and from 1968 – Current.
1926 National Championship- Alabama claims they share this one with 3 other teams with equal or better records! Once again it is the Helms Athletic Foundation in 1941 that awards it!
1930 National Championship- The Davis poll says that Bama tied Notre Dame for NC this year. This was the only one to award it to Bama. Notre Dame was named NC in 6 polls! Parke Davis is another retroactive system! He (an individual, not an organization) did his in 1933!
1934 National Championship- Alabama says they share this with two other teams. The awarders are Dunkel, Williamson, and Football Thesaurus. Dunkel was an individual who came up with his own system. Williamson was a geologist who came up with his own system. Football Thesaurus first appeared in 1946!
1941 National Championship- This is a complete joke. The AP ranked Alabama 20th in the nation with 14 teams with better records in the top 20. Once again it is the Football Thesaurus that retroactively awards it. Alabama finished 3rd in the SEC that year. Mississippi State won the SEC title..yet Bama claims a National title!
1961 National Championship- Finally a legitimate NC. .
1964 National Championship- While the AP did award the NC to Bama (10-1-0), Arkansas had the better record, 11-0. Alabama played Texas in their bowl and LOST. The AP final poll was before the bowl.
1965 National Championship- The AP gave this to Bama. That year there were three teams with better records than Bama. Bama 9-1-1, Michigan St 10-1-0, Arkansas 10-1-0, Nebraska 10-1-0.
1973 National Championship- AP puts Bama 4th after their bowl game loss. Bama claims a NC from the UPI poll that was taken before they met Notre Dame in the bowl game and lost. There were 3 teams with better records than Bama that year. The embarrassment of naming Alabama number one caused the UPI to name champions after bowl games. Yet Bammer has no shame in claiming it of course.
1978 National Championship- AP gives this to Alabama(11-1-0) even though USC (12-1-0) had the better record Guess who Alabama lost to that year? USC!!!!!!!!!. UPI gave the NC to USC.
1979 National Championship- Their second legitimate NC. Their first Unanimous NC.
1992 National Championship- Their third legitimate NC. Their second Unanimous NC.
You can see why people ridicule Bama fans when they talk about 12 NCs. The early ones were awarded by individuals years after the games were played. These weren’t consensus polls but NCs awarded by people that had their own formula for determining champions. Some NCs were given before bowl games that Bama lost. Using Alabama logic, Auburn could claim four national championships. But when Bammers brag they like to say they have twelve and Auburn has one. How silly. The NCAA recognizes 6 NCs for Bama and there are only two NCs that Bama has unanimously. You can’t find an Auburn site claiming four national championships but there are plenty Bama sites claiming twelve.
Debunking the Alabama National Championship myths.
Bama…legends in their own minds!
from: http://spittingfire.wordpress.com/2008/01/13/alabamas-12-national-championships/
Saint Nick
April 13th, 2009
1:54 pm
Shonuff,
The stat that you left out(i wonder why) is the fact that Bama has won a national championship in that time. You might be 16-11 during that time, BUT we still lead the all-time series by 6 and counting!!!!! Now, let us see how long the aubbies keep wearing the Cow gear!!! It’s funny, 15 years ago there might be a handful of Auburn willing to admit the fact that there were Auburn fans, now you guys are everywhere, BUT FOR HOW LONG!!! # losing seasons and the state of Alabama will be back in the NORM!!! RTR!!!!
JB
April 13th, 2009
1:54 pm
Bama Stan……you are right on a bout my Dawgs………
Auforever
April 13th, 2009
1:55 pm
thanks for the article Tony – i really enjoyed it! the only reason saban beats us in recruiting is $$$$$.
BamaPays
April 13th, 2009
2:01 pm
Typical Bammer trolls commenting on AU or TN articles. You Bammer boys better be worried about the NCAA and not AU.
G8R GRAD
April 13th, 2009
2:22 pm
I just hope Auburn doesn’t go through a six-coaches-in-ten-years stretch like Alabama did because of impatience and expectation.
And Dean:
I agree with you. While I wish only the best for Coach Strong, I don’t want to lose his steady hand at the helm of our defense.
Saint Nick
April 13th, 2009
2:27 pm
I am so sick of hearing this BS about Bama’s NC’s. What does it MATTER to you!!!!!!! If your school could claim 12 NC’s THEY WOULD!!!! Alabama is a top 3 football program and that is all there is to it!!!!!!!!
My Dealer is a UA LB
April 13th, 2009
2:32 pm
It matters to me because Auburn could claim about 5 themselves, but DON’T! Additionally, they don’t harp on the ones they could have claimed. Auburn is proud of 1957 and doesn’t have to throw in the others that were awarded by lesser, unofficial groups to make themselves feel better.
My Dealer is a UA LB
April 13th, 2009
2:36 pm
FYI — Auburn has been awarded 8 NCs, but only claim the 1957 title.
AUBURN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TEAMS
There have been a total of eight Auburn teams that have been awarded some form of “National Champions” title. The NCAA’s website states that “the NCAA does not conduct a national championship in Division I-A football and is not involved in the selection process”, but goes on to state that “a number of polling organizations provide a final ranking of Division I-A football teams at the end of each season”. The NCAA website then lists four Auburn squads that have been named National Champions by at least one organization. Here is the complete list of the Auburn teams ranked #1 and some of the organizations that recognized them as National Champion:
1910 6–1 team (Loren Maxwell)
1913 undefeated 8–0 team (Billingsley, James Howell, 1st-N-Goal)
1914 undefeated 8–0–1 team (James Howell)
1957 undefeated 10–0 team (Associated Press, Billingsley, Fleming, Football Research, Helms, James Howell, Massey Ratings, National Championship Foundation, Nutshell Sports, Poling, Sagarin, Sorensen, Williamson, David Wilson)
1958 undefeated 9–0–1 team (Montgomery Full Season Championship)
1983 11–1 team (ARGH, Billingsley, DKC, Eck, FACT, Fleming, Football Research, James Howell, Massey Ratings, New York Times, Nutshell Sports, Sorensen, Sparks Achievement, David Wilson, 1st-N-Goal)
1993 undefeated 11–0 team (Harry Frye, National Championship Foundation, Nutshell Sports, Sparks Achievement, David Wilson)
2004 undefeated 13–0 team (Darryl W. Perry, EFI, FansPoll, GBE, Hank Trexler, M Cubed)
From: http://www.auburnfootball.com/auburn-national-championships.htm
Do you hear Auburn fans talking about their 8 National Championships? No, we talk about the one that is TRULY legit in 1957.
Saint Nick
April 13th, 2009
2:39 pm
I think it’s funny that an Auburn fan is commenting on Bama cheating. Come AUforever, “Keep it down home cuz”!!!!! And on top of that the AU football team has been on probation more than any other SEC school!!!! The pot is calling the kettle black AGAIN!!!!!!!!! Oh by the way, UA doesn’t “worry” about AU, Auburn fans would rather beat Alabama and not win a NC than lose to Bama and win a NC!!!! Bama has a chokehold on the state of Alabama and Saban won’t let go until he is ready to do so!!!!!
Hollywould
April 13th, 2009
2:44 pm
Saint Nick, Looks like you are smoking what the dealer is dealing.
Case closed!!!
Saint Nick
April 13th, 2009
2:49 pm
You don’t hear them talking because THERE IS ONLY ONE!!! 2004 you cannot claim in no way!!!! First of all NOONE was gonna beat USC!!!! Second of all there was this formula called the BCS, a team had to finish 1 or 2 to HAVE the opportunity to play for a NC!!!!1993 AU was on probation, you can’t claim that one either!!!1983, come on!!!!1958, LSU won the NC if I recall!!!Come on guy, let’s compare apples to apples, not apples and polish sausage!!!!!!
Shonuff
April 13th, 2009
2:49 pm
@ Saint Nick, you still weren’t undefeated in ‘92, despite the championship, which was more or less the point … I don’t think a right mind thought that the ‘04 AU team didn’t at least deserve a shot at the title (to say nothing of the fact AU has been undefeated twice in that span). And if Auburn counted championships the way Bama does, they’d have an ‘83 title to their name. But really, even with the overall record, Alabama by and large trumpets a tradition that significantly (significantly) slowed down in 1982 (1982!). Because in the modern era, Auburn has been the better team. Re-read those stats, if you like. I’m just trying to cut through some of the fog here, and strip down the delusion that Alabama historically dominates Auburn. Heck, even looking at the overall record, it’s only six games. That looks like a pretty good match-up to me.
Not taking anything away from last year’s 36-0 or the tremendous progress Alabama has made in a short time. Nor am I’m making any claims of grandeur on Auburn’s behalf, realizing the program is at the start of and extremely difficult (read: long) building process. I’ll give credit to Nick Saban, Alabama’s recent recruiting classes and that team’s potential all day long. But it’s statements like this that have me scratching my head: “# losing seasons and the state of Alabama will be back in the NORM!!!” In more than two generations, this hasn’t been the norm. In more than two generations, Alabama hasn’t been a powerhouse. In more than two generations, Alabama regularly beating Auburn *isn’t* the norm. If the “norm” consists of the ’60s and ’70s, then I’m wondering when: (1) we’ll revert to an Internet-less world, (2) my cell phone will be replaced by a rotary, (3) ABBA will go platinum again and (4) John Belushi does another funny film. Oh, wait, that’s right, he’s dead. Alabama has a far better team right now, but any sort of Iron Bowl discussion is moot if one side refuses to think in modern terms. Anyway, I’ve got to go now. The Rockford Files is coming on. Gotta love that James Garner.
Otto
April 13th, 2009
2:59 pm
Stan, LSU will be good but I respectfully disagee and don’t think they are elite like they were 2 or 3 years ago and I do not think they will return dominance. Chavas is far from the DCs of LSU past.
I don’t like the UGA Auburn matchup for many of the reasons mentioned. If the staff and team take time to gel the Auburn UGA is about that time.
As for UGA ‘06 was the worst team. I like this team much better than last year. The question is can the players that did not practice this spring gel in time for Okie State. Cox is more accurate with better touch. Stafford relied on his quick release and strong arm but never really learned how to use them not sure if that is on Bobo or Stafford. OL better which will help carry the RBs that aren’t as bad as others in the SEC think. DE is a big question, if they have 2 scholarship DEs playing it will be a long year. WR/TE we will see who steps up plenty of talent coming in and places for existing players to step up.
Gill a better hire please… I like him but he does not have a resume. Gill has ONE winning season and he is a new star? Go ask LSU about DiNardo. If you’re going to complain Strong or Mullen would be your candidates. Chizik should have never taken the ISU job. The school has no football tradition and other Big 12 north programs are on the rise.
jamlock
April 13th, 2009
3:05 pm
Ha, ha, ha……glad you got Gussie! He is a soap opera waiting to happen. Just wait til he lets players parents have inside access to the upper echelon of the program. He did it at Springdale, Arkansas and it led to the demise of a great Houston Nutt coaching tenure at Arkansas. Chiz….bet you can’t wait to have parents whining that their kid isn’t getting the ball enough and you are damaging their “pro potential”.
Crimsontide#1
April 13th, 2009
3:10 pm
It’s real funny how these barners are on here accusing Bama of cheating..
You know what? It don’t matter what you barners say because we have already locked up our 13th title. There is nothing that can be done about it. Let me lay it out for you. Best coach in the nation (Saban) + Most talented team ever (2 #1 classes in a row with a 3rd on the way) = national championships. Our biggest problem at Bama is that all our ‘Got 12′ stuff is gonna be out of date.
You know what else?.. Even if we are buying cars for players, there isnt anything Aubarn can do about it. We arent getting in trouble but even if we did we have the best talent already at bama so we are set to win title for 3 years even if we dont get anymore players.
RMFTR!!!
Mark A.
April 13th, 2009
3:16 pm
Otto what have you been smoking? If you think Auburn has put together a better staff than Tennessee you know nothing about football. NOTHING!!
Saint Nick
April 13th, 2009
3:21 pm
Shonuff,
You are an idiot!!!! In 1992 WE WERE UNDEFEATED!!! ALABAMA BEAT MIAMI 34-13 IN THE SUGAR BOWL TO FINISH THE SEASON 13-0!!!! WE BEAT UF IN THE FIRST SEC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME AT LEGION FIELD IN BIRMINGHAM!!!! GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT BEFORE YOU BRING YOUR DUMBA$$ COMMENTS ON HERE!!!!!!!!!! AND FOR THE RECORD, BAMA BEATING THE COW COLLEGE AND WINNING SEC AND NC’S WILL BE THE NORM FOR US!!!!!! BEFORE THE 6 GAME WINNING STREAK, BAMA WAS UP 11 GAMES IN THE SERIES!!!! DON’T FORGET THAT ALABAMA HAS THE SERIES LONG 9 GAME WINNING STREAK!!!! SO BEFORE YOU SPOUT OFF AT THE MOUTH CHECK YOUR FACTS AND REALIZE THAT 12 IS GREATER THAN 1, 21 IS GREATER THAN WHATEVER AU HAS, BAMA HAS DOMINATED THIS SERIES FOR THE MOST PART UNTIL CTT, AND THE MOST IMPORTANT SABAN WILL DOMINATE AU AS LONG AS HE IS IN TUSCALOOSA!!!!RTR!!!!!!!!!!
Crimsontide#1
April 13th, 2009
3:35 pm
YEAH Saint Nick is Right On!!!!
They just can deal with the fact that BAMA ISSSS BACK!!!!
We are the best program again and aubarn will always be a big joke. I laugh everytime they try and talk about how we dont have 12 titles. From my research we could say we have 20 or more titles but we only claim 12 because the rest arent as air tight as far as our claim goes. barn dont really even have 1 title because from what i read, someone else really won that year and the barners claim it and nobody tells them not to because everybody feels sorry for them.
I would bet 1000 dollars that bama will win the next 10 in a row over barn u. as long as we still have Saban. Cheezit is one of the worst coaches ever in the big 12 and barners only hired him bc noone else would be dumb enough to go that place to coach. Cheezick will be lucky if Saban is kind enough to put the 2nd stringers in in the 2 quarter next year. Its gonna be 36 to notihng at half time this year. I hope Saban teaches the barn a lesson and just scores every drive so we get to 80 or 90.
RMFTR!!!!!!!!!
Shonuff
April 13th, 2009
3:39 pm
Touche … egg on my face re: ‘92. I’m very clearly the bigger idiot.
Richard Lion
April 13th, 2009
3:45 pm
I respect the way Chizik has gone about his business in a quiet, humble, “I’ll let my performance do my talking” manner. I still think Auburn will have minimal success over the next four years under the Chizik regime. They’re not going to be able to recruit talent to compete with Alabama and LSU, and the coaching talent is not as good as what Houston Nutt and Co. or Bobby Petrino have to offer at Ole Miss or Arkansas. I think Auburn battles it out for #3, #4, or #5 in the West over the next 4-5 years.
My Dealer is a UA LB
April 13th, 2009
3:49 pm
Have the “top-ranked recruiting class” is simply someone’s opinion. There is no formula for truly ranking how HIGH SCHOOL KIDS will turn out as college athletes. That is the real problem with most Bama fans…they are delusional and unrealistic. Bama is back, what the heck does that mean? Back from where? If Bama is Back, Auburn hasn’t been gone especially since THE BAHR retired. Auburn is ahead in the head-to-head by five since 1982! Bama fans truly are comic relief especially in a time when there is so much to worry about…
My Dealer is a UA LB
April 13th, 2009
3:51 pm
Richard Lion:
Are you kidding? Arkansas and Ole Miss have better coaching staffs than Auburn’s new staff? That’s a great joke!!!
Crimsontide#1
April 13th, 2009
3:57 pm
You thin bama has stuff to worry about?!?!?! haahahaha
All we got to worry about is where we are going to put all the iron bowl trophies, sec trophies,national championship trophies we are about to get. We may have to build a new building because the one we got now is all full of 21 SEC title trophies and 12 national championship trophies. But the barners wouldnt know about that because barn can hadnt ever won anything that mattered.
Maybe you wasnt listening when i tried to explain earlier. Best coach in the nation + most talented team ever in college football = national championship. If youre too stupid to understand that then you just need to get off the internet and go read a book about football.
Hollywould
April 13th, 2009
4:05 pm
Crimson, you are a poster child for people who need to read books. Proofread boy, or do you know what that means?
Steve
April 13th, 2009
4:11 pm
Hope they give Chizik at least 4 years, I think he made need it. Improvement in 3rd year, breakthrough in the 4th.
johnnyhy
April 13th, 2009
4:12 pm
Saint Nick, I am not sure which is the bigger sign of your ignorance.
1) Arguing with Shonuff about the 1992 NC even though he said it was unanimous and legitimate
2) Not coming back with one valid argument against any of the National Championships in question
3) TYPING IN ALL CAPS (my pick!)
Re read Shonuff’s 2:49 post or Bama Stan’s 10:29 post. That is how intelligent and respectful dialogue in handled. If this type of commentary is above your ability, then go back to watching Jerry Springer.
BAMA STAN
April 13th, 2009
4:17 pm
12 NATIONAL TITLES – 21 SEC TITLES!!!
OTTO – Good post – we both agree LSU will be good – we can debate as to HOW good all day long – but I get your point.
We both have played against Chavis defenses at Tennessee – I have a lot of respect for his ability and his overall body of work. I think this is a coaching improvement at LSU. UGA would have been better off firing Martinez and hiring Chavis. Tennessee was statistically a much better defense than UGA last year.
As far as UGA 06 – they won 9 games – Richts first team won 8 games? I realize that strength of schedule comes into play – and sometimes a better team will win less games. I was going by wins only – but I can see your point.
As far as the Chizik Hire – Time will tell – THIS IS the BETTER hire over Gill for several reasons:
1. Chizik had incredible Defenses at Auburn and Texas. Won the national award for best Assistant Coach (forgot what year).
2. He has coaching roots in the south – and is credible. This is very important for recruiting.
3. His staff are people that he has all ready worked with or against – but had a relationship intact. Very important for the staff to work together and function as a team.
4. His staff is also “southern” based – very important for recruiting.
5. Can not hold Iowa State against Chizik:
– inherited the worst talent in the Big 12 – which will take more than 2 years to right that that ship.
– if anything – it gave him incredible insight (per Tony’s article) to better prepare him at a Big Name school.
As for Turner Gill – heck of a good coach – heck of a great man. Syracuse should have hired him as he is connected in the New York, Ohio, PA area for recruiting. Wish this man the best. He will get opportunities at bigger name football schools. With his B12 roots – maybe he should have taken Iowa State!!!!!
As for Auburn/UGA 2009 game – Auburns talent base is there – the defense should be good – if the offense gels by November – this game becomes very interesting. Think about UGA being a 10 win team last year – and how close Kentucky and Auburn came to beating UGA. Shows that the difference between being mediocre and good can be razor thin. Both KY and Auburn outplayed UGA in the second half and both had the ball with scoring opportunities at the end of the game……very close games.
Wish kickoff for the season was this weekend.
ROLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL TIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Saint Nick
April 13th, 2009
4:28 pm
Johnny,
I was responding to the fact(as if I really need to explain it to you) that he said “@ Saint Nick, you still weren’t undefeated in ‘92, despite the championship, which was more or less the point …”. We were undefeated, we won the NC, we have 12 NC, we have 21 SECC, we have 3 top 10 recruiting classes, we are coming off a 12-2 season, BUT somehow AUBBIE is gonna beat Bama this year???? As Ace Ventura once said “fiction can be fun!!!” Bama is on the rise leading to a NC, and ALLBARN is facing a second straight season watching BAMA play in a BCS bowl!!! RTR!!!!!
SECFootballRocks
April 13th, 2009
4:40 pm
Tony: How about an article on the new Mississippi State head coach.
I think he is going to be better than either Chizik or Lame Kitten as new SEC coaches go.
Hollywould
April 13th, 2009
4:43 pm
Saint Nick, Did bama play in a bcs game this year? That was not a game that I watched as Utah’s 2 star recruits kicked your a.. Be careful what you wish for.
Crimsontide#1
April 13th, 2009
4:46 pm
I keep coming in here to the office and checking back see whats being said on here. Me and all my buddies at work are laughing so hard that awbarn people take all that time to type up all that stuff trying to say we dont have 12 titles. You know what…my shirt at home says ‘got 12?’ and you now why? BECAUSE WE GOT 12!!!
Some people on here are funny. Anybody who thinks allbarn can ever beat Saban again needs to be put up in bryce. the only reason the did it once was the ncaa. can you barners not understand that. the only thing that has stopped us from winning the title every year is the ncaa and now that we have the best talent ever on one team there is no way awbarn or anybody else can stop us from taking what belongs to us.
georgia fans are just as bad as the barners. how many titles do yall have? If you don’t got 12 you shouldnt be on here running your mouth about football because you are going to lose every argument. Georgia was supposed to be so good last year and #1 and then you remember what happened dont you…we whipped georgia and showed them where they belonged. That was before we got another #1 class so now its just not even gonna be funny what happens when the tide takes the field this fall and shows the SEC that BAMA IS BACK!!! and things are gonna be the way the were always supposed to be with everyone else playing for 2nd place.
RTR!!!!!
Shonuff
April 13th, 2009
4:47 pm
Ha!
Hollywould
April 13th, 2009
4:49 pm
Crimson, My shirt says I have 12 inches. Another lie/you can print what you want. You people finally have a winning season and now everyone else should bow down. Ask the Utes about your team.
TommyP
April 13th, 2009
4:59 pm
“I saw a group of people with a plan.”
What the hell were you expecting to see, Tony? A bunch of guys kicking back drinking beers?
That is just a stupid statement to include.
TGRFAN
April 13th, 2009
5:14 pm
If any bammer is gonna throw out “12 national titles” then please get your story straight. Before 1934 there wasn’t a national polling system so if I was a typical bama fan saying ” yeah we one the national title in 1925, 1926, and 1930″ that means they are not credible. Also, back then they claimed a team as the national champs BEFORE they even played a bowl game so why play in it if a team is already crowned as champs? In 1966, Bama fans claim to have won the national title that year, but UA actually DOESN’T claim that one. I’m not gonna go through all of them, but if bama is gonna claim all of their 12 national champs, then Auburn should claim 6 national titles.
As for Saban, you can say all you want about him , but one day he is gonna get a better offer and he is gonna leave bama. Just look at what happened when he was the coach at Miami. I’m sure you remember what he said about not leaving there.
As for having the #1 recruiting class, check your sources. Scouts ranked bama as #2 and of course rivals ranked bama as #1. Rivals was started by a bama fan so why not believe the site that puts your team on a pedestal?
ladyluck
April 13th, 2009
5:15 pm
Ben Miller, I would hardly call 1997 to 2007 AU’s best decade of football. 4 SEC Titles from 1983 to 1993 seems better than 1, ya think? Maybe your just talking about Bama’s worst, I don’t know. Its too difficult to reason with you Bammers anyway.
LSWho?
April 13th, 2009
5:22 pm
TGRFAN, I believe Alabama played in the Rose Bowl after the ‘25, ‘26 & ‘30 seasons compiling a 2-0-1 record.
wareagle10
April 13th, 2009
5:31 pm
Saban is an outstanding recruiter and coach. The problem is, he has a LOSING record against Auburn. He could not get to a .500 winning percentage when he was at LSU and had the entire state to recruit with very little opposition. I think this staff is far superior to the last staff. Auburn was picked to win the west last year for a reason, and lost ONE key player who was on the D line. Malzahn proved at Arkansas his O will work in the SEC. Auburn has had some of their best years when nobody expected anything from them. I am very much looking forward to the upcoming season!!
My Dealer is a UA LB
April 13th, 2009
5:44 pm
Crimsontide#1:
2 questions:
1. What year did you graduate from Alabama?
2. Why all of the sudden is Alabama going to win all these championships (Iron Bowl, SEC, National, World, etc.)? Don’t say Saban because you know he will never top THE BAHR!
Crimsontide#1
April 13th, 2009
5:49 pm
I just laughed so hard I think I hurt my back. You barners are pathetic. Can’t you read the words I am typing? YOUR TEAM HAS 1/2 of a national title. WE HAVE 12 AND WE COULD CLAIM ANOTHER 8 IF WE WANTED TO. THE ONLY REASON WE DONT IS BECAUSE WE DONT LIKE TO CLAIM 1/2 TITLES LIKE AUBARN. WE ARE THE BEST TEAM IN THE HISTORY OF THE GAME AND AWBARN IS JUST OUR LITTLE BROTHER THAT WE ENJOY MAKING FUN OF BECAUSE THEY CAN NEVER HAVE THE TRADITION WE HAVE.
If we dont have 12 titles why do you think Mr Barnhart says we are going for #13. Obviously Mr Barnhard knows more than you barners. Maybe yall should go back and read this artcile again before you run your mouths anymore.
thanks for giving me a good laugh today. Rollllll TIDE ROLL to #13 next fall!!!!