Live via TV: Cam Newton and Auburn take on the … Ants?
So there I was, shoveling snow and ice off the driveway at stately Brad Manor, and a neighbor walks by with his dog. He says, “Why aren’t you in Phoenix?”
And I, suffering the effects of hypothermia, say, “What’s in Phoenix?”
And he says, “The national championship game.”
I felt slightly silly. (Mostly, though, I just felt cold.) But now, having been briefed by my neighbor, I’m ready to go. We’re going live here, and I’m picking Auburn, and I don’t think the game will be as high-scoring as advertised — few games ever are; remember the Saints beating the Falcons 17-14 two Mondays ago? — and my genius daughter (who takes, obviously, after her mother) has supplied the only reason necessary to root against Auburn.
“Their uniforms,” she said, “look like Army ants.”
And they do. And they’re funded by Nike. And Nike owns the world. As many reservations as I have regarding the Auburn Newtons/Louders, they’re small potatoes — obligatory Auburn agricultural joke — when viewed alongside the megalomaniac Phil Knight. (Who once attended the same Easter Mass as I did at a Final Four. But I digress.)
Here’s my score: The Army of Cam 31, the Army Ants 24. And that would make it five BCS titles in succession won by SEC schools, Georgia not among them. (Obligatory Mark Richt dig.)
And with that, we’re ready to roll. Blog’s open. Time for us to think sunny thoughts about Phoenix (actually Glendale) and watch us some football. I’d be obliged if y’all gather close for warmth. (Although Sonny Clusters should keep a safe distance. I hear he uses venison for body wash.)
By Mark Bradley
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1,589 comments Add your comment
Jeff
January 11th, 2011
7:31 am
Who said a National Championship is not for sale? Auburn with a little help from Mike Slive, the NCAA, and a brief case full of money from the Auburn faithful sure proved them wrong. Newton is no Tebow and Fairly reagardless of what the coaching staff says is dirty and can’t play one game without taking a cheap shot. Fairly is talented and will make a lot of cash at the next level but will set a record for rookie fines. Auburn got what they paid for and now will wait for the truth to come out just like it eventually did at USC and Reggie Bush. I can see the headlines now “Vacated”.
stendek
January 11th, 2011
7:39 am
Sure Auburn cheated like Hell with best QB $$$ can buy but what the Hell? Team IS from South! So…
http://stendek77.wordpress.com/2011/01/11/sec-squashes-yankee-football-hopes-again-as-auburn-prevails/
Escaped from Email Purgatory
January 11th, 2011
7:42 am
Ugliest uni’s Oregon’s ever worn. And that’s saying a lot. They looked like costumes out of a science fiction-themed porno. I think Nike’s hell-bent on developing apparel as ugly as Phil Knight’s hair do. Fluorescent green socks?
Nice to see Auburn demonstrate they’re not a one-man team. Also nice to see an Auburn playmaker who suppresses the urge to profile after he makes big play. Thank you Mr. Dyer.
Being spared the repeated sight of a cheesing Cam Newton doin’ his head-nodding skip toward the first bunch of Tiger fans he spies in the stands so he can stand in front of them and preen added to my enjoyment of the game.
And razz Brent Musberger all you want. At least he didn’t spend the entire broadcast gushing about all things Cam like Vern and Gary do during SEC broadcasts.
When it’s all said and done, whether or not Cam, Auburn and the Reverend Cecil cheated or not, I don’t like the young man. He’s shameless and he’s annoying.
God, I’m a grumpy old man.
cg
January 11th, 2011
8:00 am
Georgia fans are pathetic. All they do is whine. That’s what losers do.
Who's that
January 11th, 2011
8:14 am
cg, it is not about whining. it is about doing the right thing even if it cost. you can’t continue to use rose colored glasses just because you are a fan. when it is wrong, IT IS WRONG. and looking the other way because you are a fan doesn’t make it right. and calling someone a whiner does not change that. where it any other team, what would your reaction be.
Who's that
January 11th, 2011
8:17 am
*were*
—-you know what I mean
TybeeDawg
January 11th, 2011
8:21 am
AU won. The scum program of college football won it all. We got something for you next year, War Tiger Eagles. If they’ll even let you guys play football after it’s all said and done.
FanofTheGame
January 11th, 2011
8:31 am
Some UGA fans are pathetic. If Cam played for the dogs, fans would be defending him like a family member, but because UGA can’t beat a team with a winning record, I guess it make you feel good to attack and criticize someone else’s accomplishments. Just one outside observation…
Techismybee-otch
January 11th, 2011
8:34 am
WEll, at least you are finally honest and admit your hate for Richt….
“(Obligatory Mark Richt dig.)”
I thought you were off busy sucking up to the man-teat you love…..CPJ….that genius who lost 6 out of his last 7 games, ALL 3 bowl games with his 1-AA offense that manages a touchdown a bowl game……
cg
January 11th, 2011
8:36 am
I would let the NCAA figure it out and stop complaining. If the NCAA vacates the wins down the road, so be it. Auburn still beat your lame team and nothing will change that. Maybe if the Dawgs could stay out of bars they could have had a better team. All those DUIs and suspensions killed you guys this year. And the great Caleb King couldn’t even play in the pathetic bowl game because he “forgot” to show up for numerous academic “appointments” just like he “forgot” to show up for court for a traffic ticket.
purple gorrila
January 11th, 2011
8:39 am
Good for the SEC today. Vacated in 3-5 years.
Larry
January 11th, 2011
8:45 am
Auburn continues to be a bunch og thugs. How bout early in the game when the AU player kicked the Oregon guy while he was on the ground. AU has a lot of class but unfornutely it is all low.
Vain Jangling
January 11th, 2011
8:54 am
Hey, check out all the pictures of Cam Newton prancing around last night after the game with that gigantic Gatorade towel drapped on his shoulders. That sure looks like an endorsement to me. Did the school set that up, or was that Newton’s idea? Either way, the money was too much. Yeah, I’d bet that good folding money changed hands somewhere for that, either above the table or below.
uga2002
January 11th, 2011
9:09 am
Auburn won the national title and we couldn’t beat UCF and then we look like asses on the ajc. This is a tribute to all that is wrong with UGA right now, we’re losing and our fans act like fools. 5 teams have won the BCS from the SEC and the 6th will probably be Ms St long before its UGA.
Congratulations Auburn fans, enjoy it and don’t worry about it being vacated, sounds like it won’t be. If someone says death penalty ask them why Auburn would get the death penalty and sit back and
l try not to laugh. You have to be on probation first fwiw so youre not elligible. So just let them talk and don’t laugh, just let them talk themselves into a corner, they deserve it.
Who's that
January 11th, 2011
9:15 am
yes, Ga had some issues, as all teams do, but to my understanding, they were all handled as needed and with appropiate punishments, even to the point of losses. but it is far better to lose with integrity than to be the NCs and looking over your shoulder waiting for the eventual hammer to fall. as I have stated, I am an Auburn fan, but this is unacceptable and it would have been just as unacceptable if Green had been allowed to play the first 4 games this year. and waiting on the NCAA to make a decision when they have very obvious motives to prolong the punishment is akin to the peverbial fox guarding the henhouse.
cg
January 11th, 2011
9:17 am
Nice to see a UGA fan who makes sense. Thanks uga2002. I could root for UGA (when they aren’t playing Auburn) if more fans were like you.
matt
January 11th, 2011
9:28 am
2010 Nations sCAMpions!
doug
January 11th, 2011
9:36 am
So, there are four SEC coaches with less tenure than Mark Richt. These four have 5 national championships between them. When will the UGA administration realize Mark Richt is not the coach to bring a national championship to Athens. Is mediocrity the new action word in Athens.
Mama was wrong
January 11th, 2011
9:52 am
Mama was wrong, cheaters do win.
uga2002
January 11th, 2011
9:54 am
Larry
January 11th, 2011
8:45 am
Auburn continues to be a bunch og thugs. How bout early in the game when the AU player kicked the Oregon guy while he was on the ground. AU has a lot of class but unfornutely it is all low.
LinkReport this comment
They have Nick Fairley, possibly the #1 draft pick. dirty? i think rough comes to mind. We have Ben Jones. After the Ms St game what happened to him? Dirty comes to mind as well. And so does the word ineffective. I dont understand why we have a Saint for a coach and, to borrow everyones favorite word here, thugs for players. I eish for the life of me that Richt would become a Saban, a Meyer or even a Chizik, but from the blackout debacles to the dancing in the end zone to hiring grantham to the post season press conferences to the recent dream team saga it’s hard to imagine that happening. Sucks, necause Richt is such a likable guy.
But enough about UGA, it’s Auburns moment. 22-19. What a game. Its crazy that Cam was shut down a lot and they still won. I guess it wasnt a one man show after all. Can’t believe they won on defense either. And for all of the speed talk sure looked like Auburns d got stronger not weaker, the Oregon o slowed the tempo down and it was Auburn running fast tempo. This game was way wat different then it was billed. And to march what 80 yardsish to the 1 to win it, wow. If Cam hadnt been hurt a Cam TD at the end wouldve been insane. But Ore d was too good for that and Cam was hurt… and it was the nc, why risk it? Smart teams, smart coaches.
dap01
January 11th, 2011
9:55 am
Kids: Remember it is ok to cheat as long as you win. The media will still suck up to ya!
5150 P.O.A.D.
January 11th, 2011
10:06 am
Auburn’s MNC is a tainted as COLORADO’s 1990 split NC. 11-1-1 should have been 10-2-1 with No Shot at the title because of a 5th down win. Auburn got a GREAT call on Dyer’s run when is arm was clearly down. There should have been OverTime at least. Thump your chest Auburn, but everybody knows the REFEREES screwed-up the Booth Review.
For the 100th time.
People that bet real money on a sport/game that has to use Referees are Fools that will soon be Parted from their Money.
KimZ'spackage
January 11th, 2011
10:07 am
Auburn’s MNC is a tainted as COLORADO’s 1990 split NC. 11-1-1 should have been 10-2-1 with No Shot at the title because of a 5th down win. Auburn got a GREAT call on Dyer’s run when is arm was clearly down. There should have been OverTime at least. Thump your chest Auburn, but everybody knows the REFEREES screwed-up the Booth Review.
For the 100th time.
People that bet real money on a sport/game that has to use Referees are Fools that will soon be Parted from their Money.
5150 P.O.A.D.
January 11th, 2011
10:08 am
Still snowed in MARK B?
dawg2
January 11th, 2011
10:11 am
Great job Auburn..you have a very good team and super “d”. Enjoy your Championship and thanks from SEC and fans.
To all my dawg fans. Please show a little class. We already look bad enough and if you can prove Auburn cheated…. then the NCAA and FBI would love to talk with you. True dawg fans have class.
People that live in glass houses can’t throw rocks……….Go dawgs next year.
M
January 11th, 2011
10:14 am
That is why $cam does not play for UGA, Richt saw right through him. Have it and celebrate it, you paid for it. When UGA wins, it WILL be done RIGHT!!!! Yes, Jones did a bad play was sat down too. Your thangs do not have anything to sit on…..
BG
January 11th, 2011
10:16 am
Auburn proves that cheating will get a national championship.
cg
January 11th, 2011
10:23 am
Most of you UGA fans are so pathetic. Except dawg2 and uga2002. The rest of you are probably running around with confederate flags in the back of your pickups with a 12-pack of beer and whining that the north won the civil war because they cheated. Grow up. You don’t even have the intelligence to analyze the game — only to cry.
dawg2
January 11th, 2011
10:25 am
BG prove what you just said. Its stupid to make a statement and can’t back it up.
threetrone
January 11th, 2011
10:26 am
This thread is not live. Auburn won. At 59 years old, I might be to old to watch the second half at times, it just might be too cold outside, and this night I went to bed. I watched the most scoring, though. What I also did not watch was close up camera views of the game. ESPN broadcast it with the worst camera work I’ve ever seen. A magnifier was needed for the screen. Perhaps this was a form of censorship for all the other college coaches and their football programs, preventing them from learning new plays on offense and how to defend on defense, unless they bought tickets and went to the game in Arizona. Ted Roof sure has gained experience. As a Georgia Tech grad, I watched his defenses under Curry, and his 4 man line, blitzless defense gave up passes constantly. Auburn had the same line last night, but Fairley was like Rock Perdoni, and became Auburn’s “blitzer”. ESPN should have shown more close up views. To see who had the ball on offense was very eye straining and impossible. Yes, both teams looked like ants. Those neon socks, shoelaces and the O’s on the helmets were so modern. Or were they nothing new to Auburn, looking like neon duck hunting jackets? Auburn definitely went duck hunting with their shotgun formation, something Tech needs in my opinion. If Oregon is funded by Nike, then they discriminate against large people. It is not possible to purchase 4E width Nike shoes. 4E widths are readily available from New Balance, and I recently bought a pair from Reebok, although New Balance is the most dependable supplier of them. Fat discrimination is a form of discrimination. Some people are just large and muscular, like me, and have to wear 4E widths. Nike discriminates against me. I’m glad they lost. I wore their D width running shoes in the 70’s when I was at 195 lbs. The reason I’m adding this thread the day after this game is because I don’t care for Tony Barnhardt and his article on the game’s outcome today since he’s on the Sports South SEC channel. As a ‘73 Tech grad, I prefer the ACC.
Ramguy
January 11th, 2011
10:49 am
I would have thought all us UGA fans would have got over the Auburn thing. Our Dawgs have had a couple of lousy seasons that’s all there is to it. No need trying to drag others down with us. When I saw all the talking head “experts” on ESPN were picking Oregon I figured Auburn would win. Well they weren’t exactly predictions but more like wishful thinking. The same experts are now crying for Oregon and are saying they gave the ballgame away because of all the missed plays they had. Of course they fail to mention the big plays Auburn missed. They are so easy to see through. I just wish Ohio St would have played Alabama so they would shut up about them. Does anyone know how Holtz and May picked this one?
Ben an SEC fan
January 11th, 2011
11:08 am
What’s the big deal about Mass and your snob comment about Auburn Ag, school. I as a UGA fan, congratulate Auburn and the SEC for the win. You can find a negative in this win??? wow!!
Ben
The Real World
January 11th, 2011
11:57 am
Let the INVESTIGATIONS begin! I mean to say CELEBRATIONS.
UAB FAN
January 11th, 2011
12:01 pm
The lowest fan in the world today is a Bama Fan. The highest paid and best coach in football comes into the 2010 season pre-season #1. Bama has the 2009 Heisman Trophy winner back for 2010. How did it end up in 2010. Bama loses 3 games and actually the greatest coach lost the Iron bowl for Bama. Why did Saban keep throwing the ball in the 2nd half? Even the 2009 Heisman Trophy winner fumbled to cost Bama the game.
To throw salt on the wound, Auburn not only wins the national title, their QB wins the Heisman. It is not great to be a Bama fan right now.
Budder
January 11th, 2011
12:38 pm
@UAB Fan: Please don’t think that because Alabama lost three games this year that we are disowning The Program OR The Process! Pre-Season Number One always is the Kiss of Death, not to mention that it was totally unwarranted since UA lost nine starters off a defense that kept their offense well-rested and fresh.
Before the first kickoff in 2010, I told all and sundry who would listen that Bama would be fortunate to take just four losses. I am ecstatic we only had three…..RTR
War Eagle Nation: congrats, helluva year!
Monkey says
January 12th, 2011
2:52 am
NOT OVER FOR AUBURN…
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/12/sports/ncaafootball/12bcs.html?_r=1&ref=sports
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