By Shane from Centerpoint
Separation Saturday has always been a day when the best SEC football teams begin to separate themselves from the rest of the pack. The competition gets brutal and every game presents an atmosphere filled with urgency. Survival of fittest becomes realistic fact.
The Auburn Tigers traveled to Fayetteville, Arkansas, undefeated and ranked 17th in the country. War Eagle faithful entered the stadium expecting to see a BCS bowl–type performance. Instead Gene Chizik delivered a product that cloned the lackluster offensive and poor defensive efforts of former coach Tommy Tuberville’s 2008 squad.
Losing “big†to a 2-2 Arkansas team – whose coach Auburn once coveted enough to cut a deal behind Tuberville’s back – is a hard dose of reality for the Auburn “familyâ€. By the way, Tuberville predicted Auburn to beat Arkansas by three TD’s (a little bit of animosity there?). Chizik’s coaching staff appeared to be dazed and confused, while Petrino’s assistants had apparently prepared their players for the kill.
Have you ever seen a hog slaughter a tiger?
In fact Auburn’s offense made the Arkansas defense look much better than it really is (having allowed 52 points to Georgia), while the Tiger defenders are probably still trying to catch Michael Smith. By the way, this Tiger defense may go down as the worst in the history of Auburn football.
The truth hurts, doesn’t it? Pat Dye might need to stop worrying about playing mind games on the radio with his pathetic attempts to motivate Alabama’s opponents, and get out on the practice field with Chizik and Coach Roof (Auburn’s defensive coordinator). Honestly, somebody needs to teach Tiger defenders how to tackle.
It will be interesting to see how Coach Chizik responds to a loss that could possibly shatter his team’s confidence.
One thing’s for sure – Auburn will face much tougher competition from this point forward, and those teams will definitely use the game film from Saturday’s outing to develop their game plan in preparation for the Tigers.
Actually, Petrino’s Razorbacks aren’t very good — at least not when compared to top–tier SEC programs. That doesn’t bode well for Auburn’s potential success down the stretch.
Perhaps Chizik will surprise everyone with an ace up his sleeve, but I doubt it. His opponents’ defensive coaches now have a blueprint to stop offensive “guru†Gus Malzahn’s “razzle-dazzle†offense. On top of that the Auburn defense is simply devoid of talent.
Speaking of defense, the University of Alabama – led by “all-world†linebacker Rolando McClain – accomplished something Saturday afternoon that you wouldn’t believe unless you saw it happen.
The Crimson Tide held 20th ranked Ole Miss to 19 yards (only one first down) of offense for the entire opening half. They robbed quarterback Jevan Snead four times, blocked a punt, and even grabbed a fumble over the course of the game. The Mississippi offense never had a chance. They were lucky to score three points.
On the offensive side, tailback Mark (“Emmitt Smith Jr.â€) Ingram continues to prove that he is one of the best football players in the nation – period. He is a special football talent. Ingram is my mid-season pick for the lead in the Heisman race.
Alabama’s quarterback, Greg McElroy, had his first experience against a very strong defensive front. The Mississippi defense is very good. He responded with an average performance. Nevertheless, Greg’s pedestrian–like day was easily off–set by the beauty of Bama’s power–running game.
Of course, with a defense that has NFL size, speed, and film knowledge, the Alabama offense can afford a slow day.
However, I think some credit for the Crimson Tide’s low score Saturday goes to the superb red-zone defensive game that Ole Miss played.
Is this Alabama defense championship–caliber? Ask three of the best offenses in the country. Ask Tyrod Taylor, Ryan Mallet, or Jevan Snead. They will all be having nightmares about what happened when they faced that relentless assault designed by Saban and Smart.
At this point in the year, coming off two impressive SEC road victories, the Crimson Tide has established itself among the top-tier of the nation’s elite.
Right now Nick Saban is in the middle of conducting a clinic on the validity of a proven principle: defense wins championships.
—Shane writes a weekly column for the Call News and the Capstone Report.
Get em while their Hot!! or Not!!!
St. Claire, in your attempt to sound intelligent while bashing me as a person and my team, you couldn’t avoid mentioning “beer” …my point is proven perfectly in the fact that beer was mentioned in your lengthy paragraph. That sounds redneck to me that you would assume everyone loves drinking as much as you
Rub a Dub Dub,
Nice Logic, NOT!!!!!
Mojo….I have to agree. That’s one of those things that just leaves you thinking, “Huh?”
I have to take exception to that. Over 3/4 of the rival posters who homestead on this board haven’t got a clue as to how to think! RTR!
Shane,
All of these so called experts (the same experts who are saying that Bama is the #1 team in the country) said that Auburn would be good to be 3-3 or 4-2 right now. As a matter of fact, I believe that you and your boy Finebaum said we would be 6-6. Well, we are already 5-1. We played godawful Saturday against Arkansas. With the lack of depth there, we can’t play like that and expect to win. Nonetheless, we have a winnable game Saturday against Kentucky. That would put us at 6-1 with Furman still on the schedule, giving us a chance for 7 wins for sure. That puts us ahead of where you and Finedoosh said we would be.
As for your game against Ole Miss, Jevan Snead is an overrated turd of a QB. I know that Bama’s defense is good, but Ole Miss’s offense was horrible. McElroy was also exposed for what he was, an average QB with good weapons around him.
And Shane, I hate to break the news to you, but the Florida Gators are still 2 touchdowns better than you guys on your best day.
WAR DAMN EAGLE
“SCREWBAMA”
What a great screen name!
Suckbama and Indiana Volunqueer, you guys can get together and suck each other off, cause you sure as hell aren’t gonna screwbama! Just hang on asswipe, the season aint over yet and you still might go 6-6! We’ll be glad to pass on to J. Snead exactly what you think about him, just before you play them. However, the truth is, nobody gives a shit what ya’ll think! Bean farts! RTR!
Suckbama, Indiana Volunqueer and Carlos Hosshit. Ustedes son nada mas que Moscas En La Casa! Largate putos! Bwwaaa Haaww Haaww! RTR!
Press 1 for English bitch
Isn’t Emmit Smith Jr. 3rd in the SEC (not the country by any means). And that makes him the leading candidate for the Heisman? Wouldn’t that mean Ben Tate would be the leading candidate for the Super Heisman. Opps, forgot, Bama never has had a player win a Heisman, so therefore the “blinded by ignorance” Bammers don’t really know what a Heisman winner really is.
Shane says a lot of crap on here but that one may take the prize for “Most Absurd)
I could care less if we ever have a Hiesman winner.I would rather have championships, which Saban is getting closer and closer to doing. It never fails.All Auburn fans throw that up when Bama’s chasing the title and they don’t have a shot.LOOOOOOOOOOOOSEEEEEEEEEERS!
No asswipe! Shane is correct. Ingram is under consideration for the Heisman. What’s more, Ingram is tied for 1st place in the nation for a RB averaging over 100yds/game with 10 tds. He is also 1st in the SEC with 10 td’s and with his recieving yards added to his rushing yards he is also 1st in the SEC in total yards among RB’s. Of course we know Tate couldn’t catch his ass with both hands and he can’t run over anybody. He gets his yards while those weak ass defenses are running around like idiots trying to cover your recievers. LMAO! RTR!
You’re right egg, Auburn sucks at running backs. Always has.
Yes, Saban has owned TN since he got there. TN and Bammer are the only top SEC schools he owns though.
Fla 2-4
Auburn 3-4
Georgia 2-2
LSU 1-1
Tenn 3-1
Ala 4-1
No wonder bammer’s think he’s so great.
YO, “CDUB!” You took ONE WORD from an old phrase & RAN OFF AT THE MOUTH with it! Furthermore, if you would have taken the time to read my various posts over the last 3 MONTHS when you did chime in you would know that I’ve been VERY NICE compared to many of my BAMMER BRETHREN concerning AU. If I like a cold, frosty brew once in a while, WHAT’S IT TO YA, BUDDY? That doesn’t make me a drunk BAMMER redneck! All I’m saying about YOU is that you’re TYPICAL of some Aubies I’ve encountered in the past! Did you CRY when those Hogs spanked your team’s arse? Did you shed some tears because AU got WHIPPED by Arkansas, a team the Tide BEAT by 28 points? Did it hurt that bad little feller? I’m usually respectful to MOST AU fans but with YOU I’ll make an exception!
the swine flu must be spreading to the other Bammer Rammers. EG and ES both missed the point. Shane says ES JR is the front runner for the Heisman. OK I admit he is the front runner of the Bama players for the Heisman. He is ahead of Julio and……well Julio is the only other player anybody has heard of. But that still leaves him out of the top 10 in the nation!!!!!
EGG…….Can you tell me who the leading rusher is in the SEC ? Hint: It aint Ingram……
BP, don’t make me type that shit again. See my last post above. He would be 1st in rushing yards alone except that in Bama’s system he only has half the playing time of Tate and he’s only played in 5 games. If Tate could catch a pass he might be competative! LOL!
Florida Sucks! Bama #1!
Uh BP Indian, let me revise my answer to your question about the #1 RB in the SEC. Unequivocably – MARK INGRAM! And now #1 in the nation! And dipshit Shane Has The Swine Flu, I guess the real Shane must be a prophet! Last night among others 2 ESPN writers named INGRAM the new FRONT RUNNER for the HEISMAN! Now you need to get down on your knees, give Shane a blowjob, do 200 Hail Shanes, and beg forgiveness for your blasphemy, asshole! ROTFLMAO! RTR!
Wow you write articles for your own blog and the Call News. Bammer may be in the elite at the present but you never have and you never will. You could never be an objective journalist. You are a self-proclaimed wannabee.