Just now, I_M4_AU said:

There have been threads devoted to this question.  It was a joke, I’m sorry you didn’t see it.  I, for one, agree with your first line, but I will save my thoughts for the political forum. 

Ugggggg.  I apologize for missing the joke.   My bad.  

Everyone knows you need a proper mix of pass/run. Nobody fears our passing game because it is pedestrian with a lack of overall talent.  And week after week we prove them right. The defense is predictable and easy enough to scheme against that good coaching can effectively scheme for a win. The proof is in the results during the game and certainly in the scores.  Ultimately the buck stops with the coaches. 

47 minutes ago, I_M4_AU said:

If he goes we will finally find out his vaccination status.

“Those who would give up liberty for a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety”. Benjamin Franklin 

what benefit would come from finding out the private medical history of a football coach?  What would you gain from that?  Why is it important enough to you, to post that here?  I’m serious. What would be the benefit?  

Please stop complaining about the last overturned call! Nobody on this thread legitimately thought we  were capable of marching down the field 80 yards in two minutes and winning the game

9 hours ago, aubiefifty said:

In Mississippi State meltdown, Tigers 'got ahead of ourselves' on defense

ByNathan King

4-5 minutes

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How Coaching Changes Around Nation Will Impact Signing Day

 

AUBURN, Alabama — Auburn players weren't surprised at all by what Mississippi State was doing on offense. They just couldn’t find a way to stop it.

Auburn allowed Bulldogs quarterback Will Rogers to complete 44-of-55 passes — including 24-of-26 in the second half — and dissect Auburn’s defense en route to 40 unanswered points and a 43-34 comeback win. The 25-point blown lead is the largest in Auburn history.

How did Derek Mason’s defense — which had been superb over the past two games, not allowing a touchdown in its previous six quarters and holding opponents out of the end zone on nine straight red-zone trips — get peeled apart inside Jordan-Hare Stadium in such stark contrast to its recent successes?

Only one defensive player, edge rusher Derick Hall, was made available to discuss the loss after the game. Wednesday was the first time multiple players on Auburn’s defense were able to review the gutting performance at length. And like most things in football, it came down to execution, said senior cornerback Roger McCreary, who thinks his teammates on defense eased off the accelerator once Auburn grabbed a 28-3 lead in the second quarter.

“We knew it was going to come — it's just that some players just weren't focused and some people just weren't doing their job,” McCreary said. “So I feel like it was a lack of focus, and we got ahead of ourselves. The first half we did good and we thought it was going to be easy.”

Auburn held Mississippi State’s air-raid offense to just one touchdown across five drives in the first half, including two punts and a forced field goal in the red zone. The Tigers were getting stable pressure and weren’t letting the Bulldogs break away for long gains when they hauled in receptions from Rogers in the short passing game — their bread and butter.

Rogers torched Auburn out of the locker room, though, mounting five straight touchdown drives.

“We just started executing, and one successful drive just led to another,” Mississippi State coach Mike Leach said Wednesday.

More than 84% of Mississippi State’s offensive output in the second half came via the passing game, as Rogers completed 24 of his last 25 passes for the game.

Auburn allowed nine explosive plays of 15 yards or more through the air in the second half as opposed to only three in the first half, yet Mississippi State’s drives were still strenuous and methodical, ending with touchdowns from 3, 3, 6, 3 and 6 yards out.

“Everything we did worked in the first half; we just didn’t execute in the second half,” said senior linebacker Chandler Wooten. “It’s totally up to us as players to hold each other accountable. I think we had a great plan. Like I said, it worked in the first half, so there was no reason it couldn’t work in the second half. It just came down to execution, people doing their jobs and doing it with physicality.”

Auburn will get back to a more traditional opposing offense this week when it travels to South Carolina, averaging 35 runs to 29 passes per game. The Gamecocks are on their third quarterback of the season: Jason Brown, a transfer from FCS Saint Francis who’s completed 57% of his passes this season, with five touchdowns to three interceptions.

Auburn’s defense has been an above-average group in the SEC for the majority of the season. To return to its prosperous roots in a bounce-back effort this weekend, the key is carrying out the game plan for the entirety of a game, not just a half or a quarter, according to a pair of its senior leaders.

“I feel like that's going to be great against this offense,” McCreary said of the game plan for South Carolina this week. “We just have to execute it.”

I know this sounds like Debbie Downer, and I strive not to complain in real life, but there is a pretty good chance this transfer from FCS St Francis throws for 450 with 4 tds.   I mean, this secondary has made some mediocre qbs look like Heisman candidates.  I’m just stating a fact. Look for him to have a career day.  I do think we score more than them but I’d bet the over at 300 yards…..

8 hours ago, aubiefifty said:

who the hell provided vienna sausage for munchies at a party? and who goes to parties with vienna sausages for ho derves?  lol

Son, keep your nose to the grindstone and you’ll be able to afford to throw such parties yourself. 

I’m well aware of the fact that I am overreacting but I still can’t believe what I watched yesterday.  I just can’t believe it. In our house. Can’t blame it on uneven player talent, when the other team is MIss State. Still can’t believe it.  

It’s embarrassing.  Those that defend these three overwhelmed and under-talented coaches, ad nauseam, (and arrogantly and condescendingly to boot, I might add), will either change their tune or lose all remaining credibility.  40 unanswered, at home, to State.  I distinctly remember during the coaching search, Leach’s  name came up and people acted like that would be the worst decision in the history of decisions. I’m not saying he was the right man for the job, I’m saying he and his coaches are much better than our coaches.  Leach systematically oblitered Bobo and Mason yesterday (and Harsin by extension) and put on an absolute clinic. Took us to the woodshed, ate our lunch, took us to school, any and all clichés would be appropriate. Leach reached over, grabbed Harsin’s, Bobo’s and Mason’s lunchboxes, opened them, and proceeded to eat every morsel while they looked on in utter anxiety and confusion. 

Coaching 101.  CANNOT BELIEVE we went for 2 there. 

Outscored 40-0, at home, by Miss State.  Honestly this is a new low.  Mason…….Bobo…Harsin.    Hugely awful performance all the way around  but the buck stops with the coaching staff.  ONCE AGAIN we were hugely outcoached.   Leach and co. just took our three coaches to school.    

On paper they seem pretty good.  They aren’t going to roll over.  This is no gimme.  Not overly concerned about our defense as they have been consistent.  The offense, on the other hand…..My only real concern about the offense is the fact that A&M just seemed to know exactly what play we were going to call. It may have been, and probably was, that they are just superior in athleticism, much like Georgia, and I hope that we are not that predictable.  This game should be an “under”.   Hoping for the best.  

17 minutes ago, tomcat said:

I’m curious what you’d do differently? His job rides on his performance. As a fan, yours does not. 
 

I hear you.  It’s tough. I have no clue what would have worked.  I mean, they truly smothered us. It just seems like we could have tried a few different plays or done something.  Anything. It appeared to me that we didn’t have enough intermediate passes, slants,  wheel routes, didn’t target the TEs enough.  Whatever it was, they knew what was coming.  Man, that D had our number.  And the buck stops with Harsin/Bobo. Period. Not calling for anything drastic, just stating that the performance is on the coaches and players, ultimately.  And today the O just flat out stunk. 

Just like we would crush Penn State if we played them next week, A&M is also seriously improved.  They would beat the Hogs and was it MSU that also beat them?They are a really good football team that is gelling.  We held their offense to 4 field goals.  We are not a bad team.  I think A&M is a top 10 team. The 12th man makes it tough.  Bo stunk today and Bobo overwhelmed, but take away the fumble and we played a competitive game.  

5 minutes ago, au701948 said:

I just don’t  understand, regardless of the competition, how Bo can look like he is so confident and productive over 2 hard fought games then go out today and look like he has never played football. He was off all day. Maybe is his emotions.

Coverage.  A&M just full of studs and they knew exactly what Bobo was going to do. We were outcoached.  The dropped passes didn’t help.  Bo was definitely off, and panicky. But the coverage was superb. 

Simply put, we are better than the middle of the pack in the SEC, and clearly out classed against the best teams. We are a pretty good football team but our offense is still pretty mediocre. We are improving but we don’t have the offense to win against a rock-solid, athletic, well coached D like the one we played today. Harsin is improving us, and we aren’t elite yet.  But we are probably the 15th or 20th best team in the country. 
*******watched Gus’s team in person today for 3 quarters, and he has retained all his bad habits.   Running up the middle for 1 yard on every first down.  Screen passes for no gain. Putting in a wildcat QB and running him up the middle for 1 yard then doing it again for a 4 yard loss.  So it could be worse. Did you know Tulane wears Carolina Blue uniforms?  Figured they wore green….

We have a seriously improved D but Bobo overwhelmed.  They are a better ball club than us but our D shined.  Watching the replays, we are whiffing on these blitzes.  Just whiffing.  Embarrassingly bad blocking by at least one OLineman or RB every time.  Horrible play calling again.  Not all on Bo but he’s certainly playing extremely poorly. A&M defense playing lights out.   D gives up 12 points on the road……12 points, and we lose the ballgame.  To heck with Bobo. 3 points.   He was outcoached badly today. Called a horrible game today and yes I realize this A&M defense is playing great.  You can still scheme/call a better game.  They know what we are going to do. They have us completely wrapped up.   Total defensive domination and much of that is on Bobo. 

On 10/18/2021 at 9:10 PM, MustardSeed said:

Let’s just remember this thread if we lose 3 more games (which is possible). Growth typically comes in flashes. Look great one week, not so great another. We’ve seen that all year. I believe Harsin’s philosophy is beginning to take shape, however I also know how fickle we fans are and how quick “Harsin’s coaching the heck out of these guys” can turn into “Harsin is in over his head”. We see the signs. Let’s not let lofty goals cloud our future judgement simply because we beat Arkansas and expected more. It’s possible we win out and it possible we finish kind of rough. All are ok this year. Why?  Because we see the signs of real improvement shining through the cracks 🙂

When it’s literally ANY OTHER team, it’s “well you have to give the new coaches a year OR TWO…..”.  When it’s your team……..

(I’m 150% guilty of this)

On 10/17/2021 at 1:28 PM, WFE12 said:

Shoot they beat UGA too imo

I wish we could have seen how that game would have transpired without the drops and  other aspects that we cleaned up last week.  The play calling was far better v UGA than previous.  It would have to have been a super competitive game.  We trounce PSU, big time, with this improved play and playcalling.  Psyched for Ole Miss.  should be a really good test and I like our chances.  

16 minutes ago, AUGoo said:

Trying to flush the Gustification of The Family takes some time.

It's been way to long since we had any hope that we would see improvement over the course of a season.

Which was weird because for a time, Gus was fearless, won some huuuuuuge games and had us in the National Conversation late in the season, as much as any team in college football.   Then those years of, yes, Gustification, (great phrase) set in….but when we was on, he was great.  We just kept the starting pitcher in way too long.  Love seeing playcalling evolving.  Good Lord we haven’t seen that in years.  Seems like a lifetime really. I was worried (and vocal) that was what we were going to get this year as well, thru the first few games, but glad I am wrong. 

It’s very understandable that folks have mixed emotions and some are excited, and for some it’s wait-and-see.  Look at it from the perspective of the year thus far.  Absolutely no poster on this board predicted this: Coming out of the gate with dominating defense and huge-numbers rushing victories over admittedly weak teams, then go into Penn State with the entire country watching us, and play decent but watching a fairly mediocre quarterback just carve us up while our (at that time) high school offense stutters, then the atrocity that was the Georgia State game, watching that FB gash us for 200 yards (!!) followed by a somewhat ugly but long-awaited win against a discombobulated LSU in BR, followed by total lack of execution v Georgia, then a real complete victory yesterday. It’s a hard season to wrap your head around. In an era where more than ever, everybody keyboard warrior wants to be “right”, it’s clear that nobody is right.  Is it “coaching” when things like passing and dropping improve in seven days?   Who knows? The cynic in me says no, but I’m very admittedly ignorant.  Play-calling improving for sure and that’s coaching.   Play calling was good v UGA, good yesterday. But, regardless, things are looking up!  War Damn Eagle!  May we continue to improve. 

12 hours ago, AUght2win said:

Our opponents aren't going to be too much, if any, better than Arkansas the rest of the way. Especially defensively. 

Miss State's defense isn't better. South Carolina's isn't. Arkansas dominated A&M. Ole Miss beat Arkansas by a point at home. Alabama's defense gave up 40+ to TAMU's backup QB.

We aren't trying to beat UGA right now. We simply aren't on that level, talent wise. But we could win the west. And by the time we play Bama we could be a much better team. 

We may be pretty good!  Without the dropped passes (it is what it is, or more accurately it was what is was?—not trying to beat that dead horse)—but without the drops, we could have been pretty darn competitive in that game, and UGA has that once-in-a-generation team.  Forget the early ugly games, we seem to be improving pretty quickly across most areas. I would love to see a couple of wins coming up, in games that I immediately wrote off after PSU and Georgia State. Maybe we make a good showing!  Some years that’s going to be as good as you get.  If we play solid then we have a chance in every upcoming game. Ole Miss gonna be quite the test.  Corral is the real deal, in the air and on the ground.  That will be very telling.  I’m betting the over on that game.  Great test for the bend-but-don’t-break.   
 

I sincerely appreciate aufifty and my intention is not to rain on his parade.  Last night was fun and a much needed shot in the arm to us, many of whom wait all year for the only sport they really care about (except, for me, it’s Go Braves, too). But I’ll gladly eat crow after we duplicate this result a couple more times. And I think we can.  Going to take a couple more solid games to fully flush the taste of the Georgia State/UGA game out of my mouth. But War Eagle!   Big wins against a decent Arky and a better-than-we-thought Corndog team. 

1 minute ago, MustardSeed said:

Me too. The soft D is extremely hard to watch. We don’t give up plays because we aren’t capable, we give it up because we are 10 yards away. It’s hard to stay positive watching that. 

Crazy . We are winning, against a very good offense, on the road, and I am seething! That’s on me!!    Hard to watch this D, but again we have limited a good Offense to 23 at home.  DAG is right, we fans suck!  But then again, if we kept our mouth shut there would only be half of one page on this thread which I enjoy every week

21 minutes ago, AUTigergrad08 said:

You do realize this is a good offense right?  

Yes.  Just frustrated.  Not used to seeing that wide separation.  Lack of pressure is frustrating.  Love our boys, and we ARE winning…..usually I’m a glass is half full guy versus today’s half-empty.  

Our defense lineman are carrying this defense today. They might not be generating much pressure but they are tackling well. Let’s keep this momentum going.  

1 minute ago, AUTigergrad08 said:

You must be watching a different game.  

I’m watching the game where we have given up 380 yards in 2 1/2 quarters