Reporting from Auburn, this guy here likes South Carolina
RoboCoach Gene Chizik dazzles the assembled media with bon mots. (Photo by M. Bradley)
Auburn, Ala. — I’m sitting here listening to Gene Chizik. And if you’ve ever wondered how RoboCoach would sound, listen to Gene Chizik. But I digress.
I’m sitting here listening to Gene Chizik, and I’m thinking, “I really like South Carolina’s chances Saturday.”
Not because of Gene Chizik. He’s obviously a good coach. But the guy who’ll be on the other sideline in the Georgia Dome is pretty good, too, and Evil Genius is bringing a pretty good team with him. And it’s a pretty good team that won’t be shocked by anything Cam Newton does, given that it was South Carolina against which the Camster had his night of arrival.
Auburn has had a great season — doesn’t get any greater than going undefeated in the SEC, does it? — but I still wonder about its defense. I especially wonder about Ted Roof, the Georgia Tech grad whose uncoordination of George O’Leary’s defense doomed the Jackets to being one of those good-hit-no-field teams a decade ago. Even the RoboCoach described the Tigers’ defensive effort in falling 24 points behind Alabama last week as “not acceptable.”
South Carolina has the better defense and the better coordinator (Ellis Johnson, who’s as solid as Stone Mountain). South Carolina also has a running back — Marcus Lattimore, the freshman who chose the Gamecocks over Auburn — capable of defusing Cam Newton by keeping the nation’s best player on the bench. As RoboCoach noted, South Carolina leads the SEC in time of possession.
I don’t doubt that a team coached by Steve Spurrier and staffed by Lattimore and the great receiver Alshon Jeffrey can contrive to put up four touchdowns on a neutral field against the men of Roof. (The Georgia Bulldogs had four in Jordan-Hare Stadium, lest we forget.) I realize Auburn is the world’s best team at playing from behind, but after a season of so many peaks and so many comebacks, the most recent being the epic rally in Tuscaloosa, how much the Tigers have left — cliche alert! – in the tank.
Cam Newton is the nation’s best player. Nick Fairley is the nation’s best defender. (Sorry, Georgia fans.) Auburn has been at worst the nation’s second-best team — Oregon has been pretty darn good itself — over the course of the three-month regular season. But for this one game under the off-white roof, I like South Carolina. I like it so much I’ll give you the score:
Gamecocks 33, Tigers 31.
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299 comments Add your comment
Zach
November 30th, 2010
2:04 pm
I can recall as a historic fact. I wasn’t alive in 1984 so it would hard for me to actually “recall”
Mark B ROCKS!
November 30th, 2010
2:05 pm
http://thegeorgiasportsreport.blogspot.com/
Trey
November 30th, 2010
2:06 pm
UGA#1…I hope you enjoy the Liberty Bowl and dress warm, Memphis is cold in December. 17-6.
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November 30th, 2010
2:06 pm
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Dave
November 30th, 2010
2:07 pm
Seriously, are you mentally ill, or just enjoy being clueless about college football? You nit-pick the stats you want to make a case (and a horrible one at that). Please try again.
5150 P.O.A.D.
November 30th, 2010
2:09 pm
Stanford Drive
There you go copying and pasting again. I gues if it were not for that I guess you couldn’t have graduated high school.
Auburn Man
November 30th, 2010
2:10 pm
Excellent, the weakest most uninformed sports writer for the AJC says SC will win. That’s almost a guarantee for AU to after his picks this year that AU would lose to SC(1st go round), UGA, LSU, Arkansas and Bammer. Thanks man, just more for me to hope for another win Saturday.
Unbelievable
November 30th, 2010
2:11 pm
Mark, how they have let you have a column for this long is beyond me. Your opinions mean nothing and are completely unfounded most of the time. It is no wonder you are simply a “blogger” and not an actual journalist. Anyone that reads your column and gives it any credibility probably takes Perez Hilton seriously as well. You two are on the same level.
The Blair Miss Project
November 30th, 2010
2:13 pm
<—————- WIDE LEFT <——————-
Mark Bradley is from Kentucky, which means he knows nothing about the TRUE Southeast. I am sure he is a college basketball fan and more than likely grew up watching the Cincinnatti Bengels.
He knows nothing about College Football, but has figured out if he writes ridiculous, ignorant articles about it, he will rile up the biggest fanbases that read this website, creating the maximum hits, which in turn makes him look like he has a vast following.
WE are the suckers.
blue
November 30th, 2010
2:14 pm
Seriously
November 30th, 2010
1:52 pm
Yeah Mark – I see why you’re sooooo in love with Lattimore:
Lattimore: 232 rushes – 1,114 yards – 4.8 avg
Cam Newton: 228 rushes – 1,336 yards – 5.9 avg
Oh yeah, Latt’s great!
So let me see; Mark says that Cam is the best player in the country…and that means he CAN’T say that Lattimore is great? We’re sorry that we didn’t understand that if YOUR favorite player is better than another player, than the other player cannot be good or great…moron. There is not a team in this country that wouldn’t want Lattimore…and let me get this out before you go on a stupid rant…just like there probably isn’t a team that wouldn’t LOVE to have Newton (without the allegations). So just so everyone else gets it, per “Seriously”, nobody else is allowed to be great besides Cam. Got it?
Auburn Man
November 30th, 2010
2:17 pm
MB is merely a hit generator for AJC.com. Write crazy things and lots of people will pass it along and look it up to see the nonsense for themselves and create hits to base their add costs on. Your just a tool Mark, not a journalist.
GT Dude
November 30th, 2010
2:20 pm
Hey Sanford Drive,
I have to say that this year was the least offensive visit that I have ever had in Athens. Only one drunk Dog fan accosted our group during the whole day. I guess it reflects the poor season and low expectations that both groups of fans had for their teams.
that being said we all know from much evidence over numerous years that the UGA fans are far more egregious in their treatment of opposing fans.
Who's Crying Now?
November 30th, 2010
2:26 pm
Scam and the Looters win the SECCG.
Scam-Daddy stays at the Ritz Carlton this weekend……probably has a room for Scam-son too.
The Dawgs shall return.
Trey
November 30th, 2010
2:27 pm
Ironically, Lattimore’s decision to play college football came down to SC and Auburn. I guess he would have been great only if he would have gone to Auburn.
Oh well Marcus, I guess you will just have to settle for being “good” and have stats as an 18 yr old Freshman that aren’t far off from a 21 yr old Junior.
Chris
November 30th, 2010
2:28 pm
Hey Mark…..I think the Gamecocks could have beaten Auburn the first time. Spurrier got away from the run and panicked and put in his backup QB when he neededa drive the most that resulted in an interception. If he lean on Lattimore and not get caught up in his Florida days of wanting to throw it all over the yard, I agree with you that the gamecocks can take them out.
JB
November 30th, 2010
2:37 pm
As a Dawg fan, i have read 23 million blogs about what is wrong in Athens, But Not to take ANYTHING away from Auburn, and I won’t, But Cam is Auburn. That is a 7 or 8 win team without him, but, they had him, and they delivered. If he bolts, Au will be playing a new QB and will be back to being AU next year, a pretty good 8-4 team.
Mark Bradley Has No Talent
November 30th, 2010
2:41 pm
I’m not quite sure why you are in Auburn. You obviously hate the Tigers, as every “article” you’ve ever written indicates. You preach about how great SC is, but fail to mention that Auburn has already beaten the Gamecocks once this year. Alas, you’ll stay muddled in your mediocrity of so-called journalsim, with your fingers in your ears screaming Auburn is the worst. You write for the AJC, so I would expect some pro-Georgia bias, but this is just rediculous. I’m not saying you can’t be a fan, but you should at least show some professionalism. Your writing is like a kid who showed up at the AJC on “Take Your Child to Work Day,” and was given free reign over a typewriter.
AnotherAndy
November 30th, 2010
2:42 pm
Shouldn’t that phone with the text messages have dried out by now?
Au82
November 30th, 2010
2:42 pm
South Carolina has the better defense?…not by much…South Carolina is ranked number one in the SEC against the run…Auburn is ranked second…Auburn is ranked last in pass defense…South Carolina is ranked tenth….sounds like a wash to me and a close game.
why should SC even show up?
November 30th, 2010
2:42 pm
Auburn cannot be defeated! They are the #1 team and have led every quarter of every…. well led lots of quarters and have won the turnover… well they’ve had a few turnovers themselves… and they have one player who accounts for 75% of their offense who cannot be injured by anyone one the planet.
So, i guess SC should just stay home
ATL_AU_FAN
November 30th, 2010
2:42 pm
@JB, You are accurate. UGA is a different and better team with AJ present; the same as Florida was different and better with Tebow and, likewise, Auburn is a better team with Cam.
This isn’t something unique to Auburn. Any team is better when it has its playmakers on the field.
JB
November 30th, 2010
2:43 pm
Gt dude…..ya’ll have your share, but by percentages, 92,000 vs 35-40K, your bound to have twice the problem in Athens, based on twice the attendance. It’s still 9 of the last 10, and as one who is owned by Florida, We know the feeling. It’s one of frustration. Ya’ll have our problem. NO DEFENSE.
AnotherAndy
November 30th, 2010
2:44 pm
And why haven’t heard the phone recording with Cecil nodding in the background?
juvenal
November 30th, 2010
2:45 pm
recall Belue raving about Newton in the pre-season, but, even more, this one seems to have the “destiny” stamp, AU undefeated over UO, 58-55…….
The Blair Miss Project
November 30th, 2010
2:45 pm
<———— WIDE LEFT <————–
GT "Dude"……
It cracks me up that you want to believe when UGA fans visit your High Schol stadium, your fans takie them by the hand and give them a tour.
collegeballfan
November 30th, 2010
2:48 pm
Add to Lattimore’s 1,114 rushing yards the 23 receptions for 328 yards.
The NFL will love this guy.
Newton will be a TE in the NFL. But he is a wonderful college QB.
I will pick Auburn to win but would not put it past the Evil Genius to pull it out.
The Blair Miss Project
November 30th, 2010
2:53 pm
<————— WIDE LEFT <———————-
<——————————WIDE LEFT <———————————-
<—————-WIDE LEFT <———————-
<——————————WIDE LEFT <———————————-
And a nice (((((42-34))))) to go with it!!!
The Blair Miss Project
November 30th, 2010
2:54 pm
Does anybody know what a Semi Truck and Scott Blair have in common???
<————- WIDE LEFT <———————
hahahahahahahahahahhaahha!!!!!!
THE MAJOR
November 30th, 2010
2:59 pm
It is well known that Mark does not like Auburn. An Auburn woman rejected him and he has continued to carry a grudge ever since.
Auburn wins by 7.
Old Ball Coach
November 30th, 2010
3:05 pm
Mark, You’re right agian. My boys will win the game; and beat AU by 14! I won’t be close.
DC
November 30th, 2010
3:06 pm
Mark,
Please explain to me how that small offensive line is going to stop AU’s large defensive line? Garcia got rocked in AU…WE CRUSHED/HURT Latte! If you remember Alshon had some circus catches against AU in that game…you will not see those catches two times in a row…He will get his numbers but it wont be like it was last time.
Last time SC played Auburn, Auburn was still getting into their offense. They haven’t even opened up the entire playbook like they have been doing past 3 games. For you to just list off all of SC’s pros and just say “hey SC wont be surprised of Cam” is very ignorant of you.
This is SC’s first time under the lights…you dont think they will be nervous to perform? You don’t think they will be worried to need to score fast and score a lot? Garcia is not the smartest kid on the block. He will give up interceptions and throw the ball in dumb areas…
I feel in this game all it will take is a turnover by SC and if AU can capitalize SC will feel they are behind the 8-ball and it will be downhill.
You didn’t even mention what Michael Dyer put on SC…yeah i think it was over 100…
Your hatred for AU comes out every so often…and today is the day. You brag about SC’s defensive coordinator..why not brag about the BEST coordinator in college football..ie Mussy
PS Oregon is good but they give up a bunch of points as well…stick to UGA commentating
JB
November 30th, 2010
3:11 pm
Don’t ever count out Spurrier. Chiznk is no match coaching wise. If AU wins, it’ll be Cam, not the Russian coach.
Joe Tess Fish House
November 30th, 2010
3:12 pm
FIRE MARK RICK!
DC
November 30th, 2010
3:15 pm
I love this statement I’ve been hearing for past few weeks…”dont count out the ole ball coach”…i think i’ve heard that for the past 4 years now..and it finally sticks…I’m not falling for it…Chizik is a great coach with Greater coaches around him that go the beat of one. We have a great special teams coach and a SICK offensive coordinator…SC didn’t stop AU early in the year and they will not stop them this weekend…they can only try to keep up…Bradley..I want a better break down of why you think all of what you think..not just name kids and say THE END.
Steve Spurrier
November 30th, 2010
3:19 pm
Bring it ON Cheesestick, See you in the Dome !
sogadog
November 30th, 2010
3:20 pm
USC should win with the better running back (Lattimore), better receiver (Jeffries), a solid QB, and the better defense and defensive coordinator.
However, Auburn has the chemistry and the intangibles in their column and I predict they win.
Auburn 38 USC 31
juvenal
November 30th, 2010
3:25 pm
bmp, don’t think we’d have kept the daugs out of FG range, you are silly, should have gone for 2 anyway………JB, a lot of those sold seats were empty, 4/13 better than 3/21, only 1/9 by more than a score, not so with those 18?…ain’t this about AU/usc?
Tweets that mention Reporting from Auburn, this guy here likes South Carolina | Mark Bradley -- Topsy.com
November 30th, 2010
3:29 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Natalie Hames and SECSportsWire, SECEastWire. SECEastWire said: GamecockWire: Reporting from Auburn, this guy here likes South Carolina – #NCAA #Sports http://bit.ly/gBXIno [...]
LCDawg
November 30th, 2010
3:31 pm
How’s the FBI investigation against Newton coming along? Are they going to really let this kid win the Heisman and NC then strip him of it? Come on FBI & NCAA, close this deal and vacate the wins so we can all move on.
scrooster
November 30th, 2010
3:43 pm
Mark Bradley, well done. Well reasoned. A conclusion well reached.
Vince
November 30th, 2010
3:51 pm
If both teams are playing at their best–then AU will win… again. If AU is not focused and USC plays like they did against Alabama then sure USC could win. But AU has proven they are the better team-period. Time to go trim the bush… Where are my glasses?
Joe Tess Fish House
November 30th, 2010
3:54 pm
I’m an idiot!!!
David Granger
November 30th, 2010
3:58 pm
Spurrier is about as good a coach as there is at getting his team ready to play a team he really wants to beat. (He’s not motivated to do that week-after-week like he used to be, and sometimes just goes through the motions.) South Carolina does have a fine team. Garcia is a good QB, and Alshon Jeffrey is an outstanding receiver…underrated a bit by being in the same conference with Julio Jones and A.J. Green. Plus, USC has Marcus Lattimore…who may very well help to keep Cam Newton off the field. (At least, enough to make a difference.) So you could be right, Mark. At least, if USC wins, it won’t be as big an upset to me as the rankings might indicate.
I still think Auburn will win. They’re a better defensive team than South Carolina, and certainly their equal in offense. Going to be a very good game, though.
Tom
November 30th, 2010
4:00 pm
I await your apology for a stupid prediction after the Auburn win. You should have sat on the fence for this one.
MURPHY
November 30th, 2010
4:00 pm
I have said since Carolina beat Florida.The Evil Genius will beat Cam and the boys in the Dome.I wouldnt bet against Spurrier for a one game win it all Sec Championship.
JASon
November 30th, 2010
4:01 pm
“Gamecocks 33, Tigers 31.”
Whatever you’re smoking, I want some. Do you try to make dumb predictions or something? You do realize auburn is playing for a national title berth, right? And south carolina is not.
War Eagle
November 30th, 2010
4:02 pm
Mark had AU fans as the worst fans in the SEC earlier this year in an article. You make some good point about our defense. The problem will be for USC to slow down our defense. Teams have been able to do it for a period of time but we make adjustments. Lattimore is a special player that Spurrier will completely wear out until he decides to go to the NFL. I see this being close early and Garcia will lose the game in the second half or Spurrier will just pull him.
PS-I would describe Mark Richt as a Robocoach as well. You don’t have to be a personality to coach. I care about the W’s and not whether the guy is dynamic in front of the camera.
War Eagle
November 30th, 2010
4:04 pm
I meant slow down our offense. This work stuff gets in the way.
A third Andy
November 30th, 2010
4:08 pm
Of all the articles and comments I’ve ever read on this site, the comments by “Seriously” have got to be the most narrow-mindest, dumbest comments I have ever come across. And I don’t even have a dog in this fight.
Rupert
November 30th, 2010
4:14 pm
Where does the hate for Auburn come from boss? Anyone check for bias at this paper anymore. You clearly have something against Auburn, from earlier in the year with the one of the worst “articles” I have ever seen about Auburn having the worst fans in the SEC….right. You are free to pick who you wish, but geez I would just like to know what happened you that made dislike Auburn so much.