TuscaloosaTiger

AUWent, Thanks for clarification. At least we are considered with more respect than UMich this year. (Perhaps we would also be considered with more respect than tOSU since they just lost to the DUCKs).

Auhud08 makes my "underutilized tight end" point that Tommy Trot was hit .... on a seam down the middle for 20 yards "once per game". I rest my case.

In response to Eisenhower_1952, I don't mean to slight individual tight ends of the past. The point is that AU has over the past quarter century largely underutilized tight ends in the passing game, perhaps because they were needed to help the interior linemen block, especially in Gus' tenure. In contrast, UF, UA, and UGA, etc. have been very effective using tight ends in their passing games. I'd just like to see tight ends returned as an offensive weapon in the AU arsenal in my lifetime. They can be a very valuable weapon when used properly and Harsin is ostensibly a proponent.

With the exception of Phillip Lutz.., our tight ends have been in witness protection since Terry Bowden used them to beat Florida at Florida Field in about 1994 with Patrick Nix as quarterback. It would be fitting for Harsin to bring them out of moth balls for Bo to use this season. Harsin is suppose to value tight ends and I hope he will use them wisely this year, especially in the PSU game.

I now live up in Maryland and listened to the last quarter of the PSU vs BSU game and postgame program on the PSU radio network. Their broadcast team is excited about the AU game, specifically mentioning Bo Nix and Tank as players to contend with. They are heavily banking on their White Out crowd to be a 12th man against AU. Franklin did not address AU specifically in his postgame comments on the field, but did say PSU would need the White Out crowd to be revved up for the game. AU apparently is considered the top home game for PSU based on AU's selection over Ohio St and UMich for this year's White Out game. The White Out pictures look to me like a stadium of ripe cotton, which should not intimidate AU, especially in our white stormtrooper uniforms that will blend in with the crowd. Should be an intriguing game.

I watched the Wisconsin game and Wisconsin ran on PSU until they got in red zone and then bogged down with unforced turnovers. PSU could not run on Wisconsin and hit on a couple of key passes to salvage the game. They are good defensively. If I am coaching PSU, then I take away AU's run game, loading up on the line of scrimmage and making Bo Nix beat me throwing the ball to a bunch of unproven receivers. I'd double Demetrious Robertson. If I'm AU, I'm unleashing my tight ends to tie up their LBs (which we did not show against ASU) and mixing in runs. We can beat their front, but their LBs and DBs are solid and we need to keep them honest and not cheating up to support run defense. It may wind up a field goal game and I like our kicker better than theirs.

This was A Spurrier type game where we should have gone for every fourth down. We were clearly outclassed at every position and had nothing to lose. I admire coaches that are willing to do all they can to win rather than lose. Our coaches gave up and were trying not to be blown out rather than win.