In the end, Saban did it (so typical). It was to a Nick Saban squad that ended the orange-and-blue reign of one of Auburn football's most liked and respected head coaches. The 36-0 shutout to instate hyper-rival Alabama was too much for Tubby to wince away, to deflect, dodge and leap over. He had to lay on his sword this time. I still can't believe Tommy Tuberville is out. He did exactly what the great ones do. Win. But even that wasn't enough for Tubby, even went undefeated in 2004 (13-0). But Tuberville, unlike 99 of 100 other coaches (what are the odds?) got zero. Zelch. Nada. I'll say this: Tubby was a formidable opponent, that always fielded a team worthy of respect and honor. As an LSU fan, it was a privilege to look over from the Purple and Gold sideline to see his snarling at a referee and snickering to himself with his arms folded. He'll be missed. He never backed down from a fight or battle. If a reporter mentioned a percieved superiority of an opponent, Tubby would fire back that his team could match them power to power. He was often wrong, but you had to love the gusto. In the end, he simply ran out of time, made to look old and out of date by the new-breed coaches such as Urban Meyer, Saban and even Les Miles who fielded huge HeMen-like teenagers who could run, catch, juggle. The old school coach got schooled. In 10 seasons at Auburn, Tuberville compiled an 85-40 record, reaching the No. 2 national ranking at the end of the 2004 campaign.
In tribute I post this Tuberville archive from the past 2 seasons, including some highs and lows for Auburn football.
Say what you want about Tommy Tuberville and those Auburn Tigers, but complacent they aren't. How to explain the sudden firing of offensive coordinator Tony Franklin after only 6 games? There's gotta be a reason, right? Here's 5 reasons why Tubby had to do it:
THE NEW 2-LOSS STANDARD: After LSU's helter skelter championship run last season with 2 losses, it's no longer an excuse not to keep BCS goals in order. Doing the math, Auburn is still in the race, of course they need crazy help. But to close ranks and circle the wagons with 2 losses is a way of saying, "War Eagle!" If Tubby didn't act now, especially after that close win over Mississippi State, the Arkansas game would have been needlessly suspenseful (Quote me: It won't be now.)
THE CHRIS TODD FACTOR: Let's be honest, here. Aside from Tebow the SEC is not a quarterback factory. The guys that line up behind center here on a little more than middle-manager punching bags. They're not supposed to win games, just manage them. In the spread, Todd can do neither. What bites is that Todd knows the spread offense, he ran it in high school (Franklin was the offensive consultant at Todd's high school). The spread offense is not for game managers, but for real efficient, aggressive, mobile quarterbacks, in other words, those not at Auburn.
THE VANDY LOSS: Contrary to popular belief, Tuberville, while not okay with losing to them, had actually nursed his wounds after the LSU game. A loss to a top 10 program can actually help your cause late in the season when rankings get a big muddled. But the Vanderbilt loss? After being up 14-0 in the first quarter? Tuberville knows full well that he recruited better athletes than Vandy did. He knew full well that in a smashmouth, slugfest his team would win, perhaps easily. The spread offense made him a liar. Auburn's first 2 possessions they lined up like a normal offense and crisply, quickly scored two touchdowns. They went to the spread after that 2nd possession. They didn't score a single point after.
THE TIDE IS RISING Ask any Auburn fan what game is a must-win in any season and it's the Iron Bowl. Losing 3 to 4 games this season is not an option, not with a potent Alabama at the other end of the state (Auburn still must play Georgia and at West Virginia). Tuberville in the last 5 years has endured an unrewarded perfect season, a failed coup at the university and a bunch of bad calls, but one thing he can hang his hat on is his 5-year dominance of the Tide. Threaten that and the claws pretty much come out.
THE FREE KODI MOVEMENT: Quarterbacks Kodi Burns and Chris Todd have alternated during games and are still battling for the starting job. Despite Burns being way more mobile and versatile in the offense, his playing time has diminished in recent weeks. Tuberville likes Burns and looks to Florida, LSU and South Carolina (well maybe not the Gamecocks so much) as running effective dual-quarterback systems. Auburn never could master it. Tubby wondered why.
(1.) THE SPREAD WAS DEAD: Auburn's new offense is supposed to be about speed and just calling plays at reckless abandon, catching the defense off-balance. Saturday night, the offensive line was the one off-balance, looking to the sideline after every play to get the word, thus giving LSU's defense a chance to adjust. Auburn had the ball with 6 minutes left and a one-point lead, but couldn't run nor did they try to run the clock down, both factors killed them.
(2) AUBURN COULDN'T RUN THE BALL: With Ben Tate moving the chain in half=yard increments (Auburn finished with just 70 yards rushing) Auburn needed the swifty cutback services of running back Brad Lester. But he went out with a right leg injury mid-way through the third quarter, one week after being knocked out with a neck strain last week against Mississippi State. The loss was devastating for Auburn's offense: It mean Chris Todd (250 passing yards on 17 completions in 32 attempts) would have to do it all.
(3.) LSU COULD: Around LSU's third drive, a funny thing happened, tailback Charles Scott (132 yards on 21 carries) started to break off 6- and 7-yard gains on a blitzing defense. As the night wore on, Scott's legwork started to wear on the Auburn defense. “We fought hard on defense but I thought we got tired a little bit,” Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville said. Scott, the first LSU running back to go over 100 yards at Auburn, led an LSU rushing attack that had 178 yards on 38 carries.
(4) AUBURN FAILED TO CAPITALIZE ON LSU MISTAKES: Remember, LSU has only played 2 games, one being cancelled because of Hurricane Gustav, and it showed. Return man Trindon Holliday fumbled twice trying to catch punts and LSU got the ball both times. Jarrett Lee's costly interception that was returned for Auburn’s second touchdown by defensive end Gabe McKenzie should have been accompanied by constant pressure from Auburn on the young quarterback, but he was allowed to get his legs under him.
(5) TUBERVILLE WAS OUTCOACHED: Rare is the day when Les Miles outcoaches anyone (including last year), but the playcalling was masterful (an onside kick, running back Keiland Williams' 22-yard pass to Demetrius Byrd, and a few that didn't work). Tuberville tried his conservative best to counter, sending quarterback Chris Todd on read-runs early in the second half, but they didn't stay with it. “The big thing was, we were trying to be smart and not turn the ball over,” Todd said. “The defense has played great all year.”
auburn coach Tommy Tuberville may need law enforcement to escort him to his car after tonight's game if his No. 10-ranked Tigers don't do the job against the No. 6 LSU Tigers. Auburn's prestigious brand hasn't been the same since the 2006 game between these two. Indeed the 2006 game changed everything. Auburn was seen as the undisputed SEC West powerhouse before that game. Although they won, toward the end of the season the damage was evident, and the football pundits recognized it: LSU was the new Best in West. The hitting was so hard and brutal (both teams suffered injuries), that Tuberville later admitted that his team was never the same after it. LSU was held to 3 points. THREE, despite having talent at every skill position in the form of quarterback JaMarcus Russell, receivers Dwyane Bowe and Early Doucet. Les Miles learned then that the offense needed to be more productive, and since then they have: LSU has scored at least 21 points in 23 straight games since that 2006 game at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Tonight, that streak may be broken. The good news or LSU fans? Auburn may be facing back to back games without having scored a touchdown.
Quarterback Advantage: Auburn LSU is playing two guys, Jarrett Lee and Andrew Hatch, but both are green and trying to find their way. And you just can't trust that, not yet anyway. The yards they have are due to the receivers making plays. Auburn on the other hand is due for a breakout. They have behind center junior quarterback Chris Todd and, at times, sophomore backup Kodi Burns. Auburn is eighth in the league in total offense, 10th in scoring, fifth in rushing, 11th in passing and last in passing efficiency.
Running backs Advantage: Auburn LSU has a stable of running backs but, like their quarterback position, no one has stepped up to take the reins and, well, ran with them. Charles Scott is probably the best in the backfield, but can he take the pounding of an SEC season? No, and the dropoff is considerable. Trindon Holliday should give them a spark though. Brad Lester is out, but Ben Tate is as tough a runner as there is this year in the SEC, and he gutted LSU like a fish last year. If he gets hot, and Tuberville continues to go to him, LSU is in trouble.
Receivers Advantage: LSU LSU has Brandon LaFell and Demetrius Byrd, both with quality PT last season, althoug LaFell can go through phases of the dropsies. Does Auburn have anyone who can seize control of a game? Montez Billings can jump. Does he have other skills?
Offensive line Advantage: LSU Auburn had, like, a dozen penalties last week against Mississippi State, all attributed to the new spread offense. Those mistakes won't be so forgiving this time. Meanwhile, LSU's guys are experienced know the scheme.
Defensive line Advantage: LSU Auburn has the SEC's best unsung group up front, but LSU's won't take a back seat to anybody. Due to game experience, Ricky Jean-Francois, Tyson Jackson, etc. make LSU's line a tad bit better, but Auburn's is right there.
Linebackers Advantage: Auburn With the loss of Darry Beckwith, LSU loses this one. His backup, Jacob Cutrera, has experience but doesn't play the pass as well, of course, Auburn's offense doesn't pass particulary well. Still, Auburn has studs at the position that could start for any team anywhere.
Defensive backs Advantage: Auburn This is not even close. Both teams have talent back here, but Auburn is simply playing at a higher level. They've got one shutout and given up 2 points in another game. The DBs are the reason why.
Special teams Advantage: LSU Colt David gives LSU an experienced kicker, while Auburn's Wes Bynum missed two field goals last week, and is known to choke in bigger games. Trindon Holliday vs. Robert Dunn? Not even close.
Coaching Advantage: LSU Tommy Tuberville is a great coach, but rarely sticks to his guns. Les Miles is crazy, but rarely goes out without his medication, so .... I'd give the edge to last year's championship winner Miles.
The Dawgs are 3-0 but have slid from No. 1 to No. 3 from no fault of their own. Why? What are voting media members being disillusioned about? South Carolina? They are a good football team. I don't get it. Is it because the Powers That Be want to devalue Georgia or the SEC? The ramifications are great. Okay, I'll admit it. My reasons for wanting to know are selfish: See, when LSU beats them later this year, we want to whip a No. 1, not a No. 2 or 3. It means soooo much. This week, the SEC has 5 teams in the top 10 (a first). That just may be too much for some folks to handle. And the charade is uncovered. Grrrrr. Fear not, my red-and-black brethren, USC will not make it through the season undefeated. We'll get our chance (s). In the meanwhile, LSU will have to make due with beating up on Auburn (which will score more than 3 points; we'll give them 13.). Prediction: LSU 23 - AUBURN 13.
Could it be? Both No. 6 LSU and the No. 9 Auburn Tigers have glaring weaknesses as the two are set to play this weekend. LSu lost excellent linebacker Darry Beckwith last week and won't have him back this week either, according to coach Les Miles. "It’s safe to say he won’t be available this week,” Miles said. “I think he’ll be back pretty soon, but I don’t know when.” Not that that is the only problem for the Bayou Bengals. See, they can't seem to throw the dang football as well. For both of LSU's games, the running game (241 yards Saturday night), featuring Charles Scott, has gone gangbusters while the passing game has been passe' at best. Andrew Hatch, the heir apparent, threw his first career interception, while Jarrett Lee looked mediocre at best, tossing the pigskin for just 84 yards. Will that be enough to beat Tuberville's boys? Speaking of them, they survived Mississippi State with a hockey score 3-2 victory thanks to some key defensive stops late. Truth be told, the score should have been somewhere between 13-6. Auburn kicker Wes Byrum missed from 42 and 22 yards, but nailed a 35-yarder in the 2nd quarter that, well, was more than the Bulldogs could overcome (State also missed a 38-yarder). Auburn is still in wait-and-see mode after tailback Brad Lester landed on his head a week ago. His status for Saturday's game is unclear. Will 3 points get it done against the Tigers on Saturday? Probably not, no matter how confident Tommy Tuberville is. "I never really felt threatened last night of losing that ball game once we got ahead 3-0," Tuberville said Sunday. Can you believe that?
Revenge (n): Action taken in return for an injury or offense. karma (n): The total effect of a person's actions and conduct during the successive phases of the person's existence. Getback (n): What Louisiana-Monroe did to Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide last Saturday. Did you think I was gonna not post about this one, Nicklaus???? I mean, losing to Louisiana-Monroe ON SENIOR DAY?? Can you say App State? Whew! That felt good. Not only did Louisiana get the satisfaction of seeing LSU put a lump on your temple, but our smaller brethren even got in on the act. Now, THAT's getback. (I fully expect, that if, the Tide played Southern University, they'd lose also, hell, Redemptorist and Catholic High could beat 'em.) And, to be sure, some Alabama faithful will say "it wasn't that bad," or "it's okay". Noooo. It's not okay, see, Louisiana-Monroe has such a small profile that, if it wasn't for the word "Monroe" in the school's name, WE WOULDN'T EVEN KNOW WHERE THE SCHOOL IS LOCATED! Saban even went to calling the loss a "catastrophic event." Why? Because he knows that the school he lost to wasn't even in existence 9 years ago. "Changes in history usually occur after some kind of catastrophic event," Saban said during the opening remarks of his weekly news conference. "It may be 9-11, which sort of changed the spirit of America relative to catastrophic events. Pearl Harbor kind of got us ready for World War II, or whatever, and that was a catastrophic event." Short of being a catastrophic event, Louisiana-Monroe used to be called Northeast until it changed names in 1999. So, see, Nick, you really lost to Northeast. And being a former Louisiana resident, that's got to sting! But ... seriously, life is funny like that. Now the Crimson Tide prepares for the famed Iron Bowl against the Auburn Tigers. I won't pick a winner, because I respect Tuberville an awfully lot, and I think he's got a lot more to lose, so i'll just say ... Go Tigers!
You've got to give it to Tennessee coach Phil Fulmer. He did exactly what he was supposed to do this year: The Volunteers beat the teams they were supposed to beat. They also lost to the teams they were supposed to lose to. All three of the losses were pretty much blowouts that could have been much worse and that could have been a little closer. In the first game of the season, they got ran all over by California 31-45. Two games later they got pasted by Florida 59-20 (didn't most teams, they had Superman?). And the Alabama game got out of hand 41-17, but hey, they hung on against South Carolina. They hit on all cylinders againstGeorgia . And they took care of business against Arkansas. As a result of handling their workmanlike business, the Vols could be playing for the SEC Championship with a win vs. Kentucky on Saturday. And to think, some people counted on Phil out after the team was 1-2 after the Gators thumping. But you know? If college football teams could simply beat the teams they're supposed to beat then the average tenure of a college coach would be a lot longer and more enjoyable. Don't get me wrong now, the Vols stunk at times against the Gamecocks (especially the second half) and the Gators, and even against Vanderbilt. But you gotta love a team that gives you exactly what you expect. Tennessee didn't figure to finish better than 8-2 this year and they didn't. They beat the cupcakes of their schedule (SMU, Louisiana-Lafayette) and lost to the powerhouses. Big deal? It could have been much worse, they could have schedule Appalachian State (like Michigan did). They could have scheduled South Florida (like Auburn did). They didn't. They scheduled Cal as the first team, Florida as the third. You've got to give to coaches like that (LSU scheduled Virginia Tech second, and actually opened the season in SEC play with a game AT Mississippi State.) So, while half the southeastern United States is going against ya Phil, I got yer back. And no, I'm not encouraging low expectations from the Vols. You didn't shock the world, Phil, but you weren't playing the world either; you simply managed to keep your job. In these days in times, it's enough.
Georgia coach Mark Richt has proven master of the motivational ploy, or, as some say, gimmick. In back-to-back games now UGA has whipped the fans in a frenzy: last week against Florida there was the "extended celebration" after their 1st touchdown. It got the crowd fired up and the Gators never recovered. Then, Saturday, was the "blackout" the Bulldogs wore black jerseys and their fans wore all-black. It worked, as Georgia hung 45 points on Auburn's defense. From the looks of their defense, though, I don't think they need gimmicks. They are a talented team with a crazy-good freshman running back in Knowshon Moreno and trigger-happy young quarterback in Matthew Stafford. But coach Mark Richt seems to think gimmicks can bring the needed-energy level his team needs to compete. See, the thing about gimmicks, they can backfire. And they will on UGA, soon. Auburn on the other hand, could use a few new gimmicks, particularly at quarterback. Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville did all he could after the game to deflect the punishing limelight off his tarnished quarterback Brandon Cox (4 interceptions), even going so far as to blame his defense for the loss. "We just couldn't get over the hump tonight," Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville said. "We got whupped pretty good on defense. We hadn't given up that many points in I don't know how long. I thought we looked confused out there at times," Tuberville said. "When you give up 45 points, you've been taken to the woodshed." No, Cox was taken to the woodshed. "Just one of those nights," said Cox, who also threw four interceptions against Georgia last year. "Their defense really got too much pressure on us." The ploy won't work. Auburn fans saw their quarterback melt on national TV for the 4th time this season, and it's getting old. Also getting old is Georgia's shy role of "We're just trynta make it in the SEC East." Nah, those boys are the cream of the East. Even though Richt can't beat Tennessee he can beat everyone else, and that says something. For the game, Georgia gained 417 yards to Auburn's 216, and scored 40 points in its third straight game. The Bulldogs hung 42 on Florida, 44 on Troy, and 45 on a decent Auburn defensive unit. "We're pretty good on running the football and have two special guys back there to do it," Stafford said, speaking of Brown and Moreno. "When teams are playing one-on-one coverage we're doing a pretty good job of making plays." But one has to wonder what will Richt cook up next week as the Kentucky Wildcats come to town? Ballerina dresses?
"Karma," ahem, I mean uhmm, "Get Back" is a motha, aint it? Tommy Tuberville is quite upset at the officiating in the LSU game, (Here are 5 reasons why he shouldn't be) and I sympathize with him a bit although I'm an LSU guy. Yet, it just strikes as kinda strange how he is mad (interestingly, the War Eagle faithful are faulting his squib kick strategy more than anything) when last year when Auburn beat LSU 7-3 due to a controversial call, he didn't have much to say. Let me refresh your memoirs: Brandon Cox, The Emancipated One,threw for 110 yards and Kenny Irons ran for 70 yards to lead Auburn to a 3-0 mark in the third game of the 2006 season. "It was a hard fought game on both sides," said Auburn head coach Tommy Tuberville. "LSU has a heck of a football team. They played hard and physical and our guys played hard and physical. That was basically why it was 7-3." Colt David accounted for the only LSU points, a 42-yard field goal at the end of the first half for the Bayou Bengals, which had won its first two games against non-conference opposition by identical 45-3 scores. JaMarcus Russell completed 20-of-35 passes for 267 yards in defeat. "We have a disappointed group of men. It was a hell of a ballgame," said LSU head coach Les Miles. "The loss will be difficult to handle. Both teams deserve better." Auburn was clinging to a 7-3 lead with just under seven minutes left when LSU drove from its own 19 to the Auburn 31. A 37-yard pass from Russell to Early Doucet keyed the series, but LSU faced 4th-and-8 and Russell threw toward the goal line for Doucet. The ball was tipped away by Eric Brock as a flag for pass interference against Zach Gilbert flew. Gilbert appeared to have his hand on Doucet before the ball was tipped, but the flag was picked up because of the deflection. "That was a judgment call and thank goodness it went our way," said Tuberville. "They still had to get the ball in the end zone." Yeah, Tubby we got it in the end zone this year, with literally 1 tick left. War DEEM Eagle!
“I saw on some of the previous plays from that formation that (Auburn) was leaving their DBs on us one-on-one. Byrd has great speed — an extra gear — so I just threw the ball up there, and he wrapped up around the DB and made a great catch.” - LSU quarterback Matt Flynn on his last TD pass with literally 1 tick on the game clock.
"We just weren't going to kick it to their returner. We still felt good about it. We didn't make the plays." -- Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville on why they never kicked the ball deep to LSU.
"It was either going to be a touchdown or we kick a field goal, and that was the plan. With one second, I think we timed it out perfectly." - LSU coach Les Miles on the last play of the game.
“God, if I just break that up and time runs out, we win. It just shows the guts and the confidence that coach Miles has in his team to try something like that, late in the game with the time running out. It just shows the confidence in their offense.” -- Auburn defensive back Jerraud Powers, on the last play of the game.
"In the back end of the game, I had a timeout that I could call but I did not expect it to come down to one second," LSU coach Les Miles said. "I didn't have it timed out that far. Certainly it worked right."
"That really surprised me. It was a gutsy call and I think there was only one second left on the game clock. An incomplete could end the game, but they converted and my hat's off to them. They converted and scored so I guess it was a good call." -- Auburn quarterback Brandon Cox
"They (the referees) said they had an illegal formation. They should have worked that out, but they actually officiated it from the instant replay and you can't do that. You can't go to instant replay and look at it. They ruled touchdown, but with a flag on the field you have to work that out before you start looking at it. Unfortunately they did it the way you're not supposed to." -- Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville, on a replay that showed six men on the line of scrimmage for LSU, but the flag was picked up.
LSU beat Auburn 30-24 last night in an exhilerating finish that made Death Valley quake like in 1988. Here are 5 honest, objective reasons why LSU won. I'm an LSU fan, but the reasons why are the reasons why. Let's begin:
1. THE OFFICIATING CREW: Let's be real here: This game is dramatically different if two easy calls are made by the refs. Both favored LSU. Midway through the fourth quarter, a Jacob Hester touchdown was allowed to stand after a lengthy review, even though a replay clearly showed LSU had only six men (seven is the minimum) on the line of scrimmage. Not only would the penalty have negated LSU's touchdown, but it would have backed them up 5 yards as well, putting in doubt a TD play. Again, with just under two minutes left, LSU running back Richard Murphy — trying to convert a 3rd and 3 — was tackled at Auburn's 38 and after hitting the ground he bounced forward at the 38 and a half yard line, right where the first down was. The spot was more than generous for Murphy, it was simply crazy. Yet, the SEC replay booth didn't deem the play fit to review and LSU was able to avoid a 4th and short. Would they have gotten it? Probably. But it's unfair not to give Auburn a chance to defend a 4th and short. Incredibly, on both calls, Auburn's Tommy Tuberville refused to challenge the calls, which brings us to the next reason why Auburn lost.
2. TUBERVILLE'S COYNESS: The man can coach, we all know that, but he coached an awfully coy game against LSU. Tuberville is a guy that has to win on his own terms, not by ways he can't stomach. An LSU kickoff return for TD? He couldn't stomach that. A knockdown, dragout grind-em-out running game by LSU? Tubby couldn't stomach losing like that, so he played the game always holding his spades instead of all-out. His refusal to kick deep on kickoffs gave LSU tremendous field position the entire game, including on their game-winning drive. Also, he defied reason by refusing to challenge not one, but TWO questionable decisions by the officials (the Hester touchdown and the Murphy spot). To compound matters, with LSU eating up the clock and inside of a minute he refused to call timeout to salvage any few remaining seconds he team would need if LSU converted.
3. THE RETURN OF DOUCET: Early Doucet, back for extended duty for the first time in six games, had 1 catch in the first half for zero yards. LSU's passing game looked accordingly, too. Brandon LeFell continued to lefail. Demetrius Byrd dropped key passes until the last 20 minutes of the game. But Doucet turned it up in the second half. He led all receivers in the game with seven catches for 93 yardss. A 33-yard pass from Flynn to Doucet in triple coverage for a first down at the Auburn 34-yard line sparked LSU’s first comeback and established momentum for the Tigers receivers.
4. DEMETRIUS BYRD: The LSU receiver feasted on Auburn's DBs in the second half with big catches from Matt Flynn. He finished with 89 yards on just 3 catches, including a 58-yarder in the 3rd quater. Of the last catch of the game, Flynn said he noticed a tendency. “I saw on some of the previous plays from that formation that (Auburn) was leaving their DBs on us one-on-one,” Flynn said. “Byrd has great speed — an extra gear — so I just threw the ball up there, and he wrapped up around the DB and made a great catch.”
5. AUBURN'S RUNNING GAME GOES AWOL: Auburn's tailbacks Brad Lester and Ben Tate had been hurting LSU in the first half, especially Lester, but they couldn't break though the line in the second half. That significantly weakened the Tigers' attack. Three of the team's first four second-half drives went nowhere. Lester gouged LSU for 68 yards on 16 attempts, often times turning and twisting for extra yardage after being hit; the flow of the game dictated that they pound Lester into the LSU line but they never did, instead settling for Brandon Cox throws that were off the mark. That allowed LSU to get back in the game and outscore Auburn 23 to 7 after Auburn took a 24-14 lead.
Tubby's bragging a bit as LSU game looms: "Not a lot of people are going to outrun us," he said earlier this week. You'll have to excuse him, but Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville is snickering at how good his defense has been the past few games. In back-to-back weeks not only have they stopped Superman but they held a very good Arkansas team scoreless for 58 minutes. You could even forgive ole Tubby for bragging a bit. His team is simply making plays. "Tackling," he said, when asked what the difference has been since early in the season. "You go back and look at the Florida game, they got very few yards after we made contact. [Against Arkansas], I think we missed six tackles. I've never heard of that, and I've been on some good defenses before." With Auburn coming to Baton Rouge on Saturday, they'll need all the speed they can muster against the No. 5 team in the country. "We've got speed to match teams like that," he said. "Not a lot of people are going to outrun us. We might not be big. We try to be physical, but we keep as many speed guys on the field as we can."
As the Gators prepare to face LSU this week, a new culprit emerged from Saturday's loss to Auburn. It wasn't Tim Tebow's arm that doomed the mighty Gators. It was offensive coordinator Dan Mullen's stomach. Mullen had been in the hospital the night before in severe pain, and gutted it out by showing up for the game. Still, coach Urban Meyer refused to see it as a negative if your play-caller is sweating profusely and his insides are burning. "The negative right now is we probably have 10 seniors," Meyer said. "How many of which are actually playing a lot? ... How are we going to respond? Obviously, I don't have that answer. I feel like there's a lot of character on this team and some good people." The Gators showed they can come from behind, rebounding from a 14-0 halftime deficit and tying the game at 17 with 7:36 remaining. They even looked like they might pull off a comeback, but the imaginative offensive play-calling that had put 59 point on the board just two weeks ago, couldn't come up with much more than Tebow run plays on 1st and 2nd down (leaving about 3rd and 2) then throwing it on 3rd down. The offense, predictably, stalled on its final drive. Doesn't the Florida staff have sick days? Geez. How many of us would report to work - even check ourselves out of the hospital - to go to work? Obviously, it showed. Even the commentators posed questions about Mullen's play-calling, especially since Tebow ran 16 times — often right up the middle. There were even more eyebrows raised when it was learned that Mullen had an emergency appendectomy late Friday night. Mullen was having side pains at dinner Friday and then had blood tests. Meyer said he learned about 11:30 p.m. that Mullen needed surgery. Mullen missed the team's first walkthrough but arrived at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in time for the game. "He is a tough guy," Meyer said. "He did everything he possibly could. That didn't affect the game. He still called a fine game. We still could have done things better." Forced to punt to Auburn with about 4 minutes to play, Chas Henry shanked one 25 yards — the last of the four special teams miscues. The other three were: —Florida was flagged for running into the punter on Auburn's opening possession, which turned good field position into a first down and the Tigers eventually scored a touchdown on the drive. —The Gators had a 34-yard field goal attempt blocked in the second quarter. —They faked a punt and picked up the first down late in the third, but were flagged for illegal formation and were forced to kick it away. "It hurts a lot," Medder said. "It feels like you're getting stabbed." The final blow came after the shanked punt. Quarterback Brandon Cox, obviously hyponotized into believing he is an All-American, played way above his head. And running back Ben Tate drove Auburn into position for the game-winning field goal with powerful runs that seemed to break Florida's will with every yard. Tommy Tuberville silenced his critics, at least, for a week. But he's still on an island. The university president doesn't celebrate with him, the fans know that his best teams are behind him. But he got to laugh last on Saturday. For once this season, everything he tried worked. Even freshman Wes Byrum made a 43-yarder — twice — to snap Florida's 11-game winning streak and its 18-game home winning streak. War Eagle?
Superman is dead. Super sophomore Florida quarterback Tim Tebow played like the Man of Steel this year, but his cape was ripped from him and stomped on by the Auburn Tigers last night, who beat the Gators 23-20 in the Swamp. That makes Tommy Tuberville Lex Luther, or somebody from the ancient planet of Superman's birth, Kryton. Either way it's a big W for the Tigers and a huge L for the Gators. Florida played most of the game with a fat zero on the scoreboard before a second-half flurry tied it at 14 then they scored 3 more(only after Quentin Groves, the Tigers' best linebacker, was knocked out of the game with an injury). Auburn's quarterback Brandon Cox was the game's biggest beneficiary: He actually played like a major college quarterback for a change. Auburn would need it. After they lost their big lead thanks to a bunch of long heaves by Tebow, Auburn recomposed itself and relentless, violently marched down the football field in field goal range. Auburn true frosh kicker Wes Byrum had to make two 44-yard field goals in the final seconds, not just one (clever boy Urban Meyer stole a ploy by the Denver Broncos in Week 2 to beat the Oakland Raiders by calling a timeout a half-second before the kick, making the field goal kicker do it again after the timeout). Meyer would be on the hot seat if Byrum would have missed the first field goal attempt , which wouldn't count due to the timeout, then made the second one. Alas, he made 'em both and sent Gator fans' jaws dropping in despair and instantly sent Tebow looking for a phonebooth, and a pair of glasses. Incidentally, Tuberville was seen after the game putting a green rock-like crystal into his right-front pants pocket before walking to the middle of the field and shaking hands with Meyer. Tubby, you devil, you. And we thought you were done.
AUBURN'S HURTIN: It used to tickle me last year that Brandon Cox was regarded as a good quarterback and Kenny Irons was seen as just an okay running back in the wake of Ronnie Brown and Cadillac Williams' departures to the NFL. Now that Irons has went on to greener pastures in pros as well, Cox is being exposed as an overrated stickpin. And Tommy Tuberville is feeling all alone, as he looks around him and sees no blue-chippers. Ole Tubby is on a island. Has it escaped anyone's mind that Tubby has avoided the criticism that Lloyd Carr received from losing to App State in Week 1, even though Tubby should be 0-3 right now, instead of 1-2? Last week against Mississippi State, Tuberville finally realized that the problem is under center, not the defense, although it could be better. Without a superb O-line, Cox just is not mobile enough to hang in the pocket as Armageddon ensues around him. Tuberville may have hit the panic button too late though; backup quarterback Codie Burns may be more agile but cant' possible right the ship before it runs into at least three more icebergs (Alabama, Arkansas, LSU) along the way. Oh, not to mention this Saturday's game against pass-first New Mexico State. Oh, and believe the hype: Ole Tubby's job is on the line.
FLORIDA AINT GOING AWAY: To LSU fans, the "Florida problem" started as a nagging issue two weeks ago, morphed into a concern after week 2, then became an outright issue last week as they throttled Tennessee 59-20. That's right, Tennessee lost by 39 points. Tim Tebow is nothing short of Superman, and the Second Coming rolled up into one for Florida fans. And he figures to only gain confidence in his passing skills as time goes on. In Florida, we're witnessing something that comes along only about every 20 years: A bonafide superstar college athlete. Not even Reggie Bush, as hyped a collegiate as we've seen in the last decade, is fawned over like Tebow. LSU will have to play disciplined football to win it, regardless of the fact that it's in Death Valley.
'BAMA IS BACK: Ole St. Nick(or, um, Satan, as we call him in these parts) lives in Tuscaloosa and is bringing back memories of a certain houndstooth-crowned one. Nick Saban has quickly transformed the Alabama football into a powerhouse program. Last weekend's last-seconds come-from-behind victory at Arkansas was the coronation. SEC, forewarned: 'Bama's back. Key play in the game: Darren McFadden rides the bench as his team clings to a 5 point lead inside of 3 minutes left in the game. Arkansas coach Houston Nutt would go on to say that his star running back had a "mild concussion," but it's a major coaching error to leave him out of the ballgame when he had been so effective and could have easily been a huge decoy on a playaction (the safety definitely would have stepped up) without taking a hit, or a fake handoff-bootleg or something. Either way, this is Coaching 101.
IN ARKSANSAS, IT'S 2006: The Razorbacks are playing like they won't be intimidated by three straight losses to end last season and last week's last-seconds defeat to the Crimson Tide. Arkansas will continue to ride uber-star Darren McFadden, and you know? He will deliver.And powerful McFadden and fleet-footed Felix Jones are the best running back duo in the nation (since Ronnie Brown and 'Lac Williams at Auburn) and just need a little more solid quarterback play and imaginative playcalling by the coaches to run the table in the SEC. Can they beat LSU? If this game were played early in the second, possibly in weeks 2 or 3 I'd say yes, but with possible national title hopes on the line for LSU I don't see them losing focus that late in the season.
There's a school about 1.5 hours from Atlanta, it's called Auburn University, and it's in Alabama. The coach has been pretty dang successful, yet is ignored by mainstream media (He went 13-0 in 2004, and got a pat on the back). His name is Tommy Tuberville. His Tigers have won more games (33) than any SEC team in the past three years, averaging 11 wins in those seasons. He is LSU's main nemesis, despite the Saban problem. Can the Bayou Bengals beat 'em? Seems to always take divine help. Two years ago, it took a wide right field goal in overtime for Les Miles and his guys to escape with the W. Last year Auburn made a 7-3 lead stand up despite a last-minute drive deep in their territory (Yes, JaMarcus Russell should have thrown it in the end zone). But the fact remains, this team won't lay down (ask Alabama, who has been whipped 5 straight times by them in a state that was painted Tide-red decades ago). And he has everything but a cape. Still, Tuberville has to be a little concerned about LSU as well. Auburn never reached full capacity after the LSU game, and he conceded that they "were hurting" for the rest of the season after the punishing hits in the game. Their quarterback, Brandon Cox, and star running back, Kenny Irons, both missed time after the LSU game, and it cost them a possible national title. Whatever Tuberville comes up with this year, the Bayou Bengals will be waiting.
Sat, Sep 5 vs McNeese State (CANCELLED)
Yesterday @ Mississippi State W 21 - 19 Final
Sat, Sep 19 vs Auburn W 45 - 21
Sat, Sep 26 @ Syracuse
Sat, Oct 3 vs Eastern Michigan
Sat, Oct 10 @ South Carolina
Sat, Oct 17 vs Florida
Sat, Oct 24 vs Western Kentucky
Sat, Nov 7 @ Alabama
Sat, Nov 14 vs Arkansas
Sat, Nov 21 @ Ole Miss
Sat, Nov 28 vs Texas A&M
