Let's hope we do better in our first game this year!

[mnmtigerfans@charter.net 0]

I expected a few loses last year. I mean cmon realistically we lost a TON of talent on both sides of the ball. You train, and train. You hope for the best, but until the first snap you just don't know.

As an Auburn fan though Utah State was a hard pill to swallow. We did manage to pull one out of the fire, but Utah State? The way we looked as a team, the desperation wasn't there. Utah State owned us all day long. We could not score, we could not operate on offense. We got pushed around on defense in our own house. I will never forget the way we looked that day. It's one thing to lose to an LSU or a Georgia at home, but a Utah State.

We made some adjustments, on offense, that gave us chances down the road but our defense never gained their footage, that is until Coach Roof left our team. We lost some games due to talent but some of last years loses came in part to coaching.

  I HATE losing ever no matter who we lose to, but there is a little difference in a one point loss to say an SEC powerhouse than a no name team. That day set the stage we already had a bulls-eye from our national championship.

  In that much being said I have issue with the NFL. They should not be allowed to bait these young men until after their senior season. You cant leave high school early to attend college. Who can resist the money offered.

Back on track now its a new day with new coaches. This year we still have questions to answer, but our footing should be better than last year, in so much as we have some playing time under our belt. It's our coaches job to perform. We must have the players, the plan, and the wins. So lets get fired up!! Lets make a difference from day one! We are the Auburn Tigers!!!  

[Wareagletd 0]

I expected a few loses last year. I mean cmon realistically we lost a TON of talent on both sides of the ball. You train, and train. You hope for the best, but until the first snap you just don't know.

As an Auburn fan though Utah State was a hard pill to swallow. We did manage to pull one out of the fire, but Utah State? The way we looked as a team, the desperation wasn't there. Utah State owned us all day long. We could not score, we could not operate on offense. We got pushed around on defense in our own house. I will never forget the way we looked that day. It's one thing to lose to an LSU or a Georgia at home, but a Utah State.

We made some adjustments, on offense, that gave us chances down the road but our defense never gained their footage, that is until Coach Roof left our team. We lost some games due to talent but some of last years loses came in part to coaching.

  I HATE losing ever no matter who we lose to, but there is a little difference in a one point loss to say an SEC powerhouse than a no name team. That day set the stage we already had a bulls-eye from our national championship.

  In that much being said I have issue with the NFL. They should not be allowed to bait these young men until after their senior season. You cant leave high school early to attend college. Who can resist the money offered.

Back on track now its a new day with new coaches. This year we still have questions to answer, but our footing should be better than last year, in so much as we have some playing time under our belt. It's our coaches job to perform. We must have the players, the plan, and the wins. So lets get fired up!! Lets make a difference from day one! We are the Auburn Tigers!!!  

You do know we didn't lose to Utah State right?

[t.c._nomel 0]

I expect a better opening effort this year.

[Ronald McDonald 0]

I expected a few loses last year. I mean cmon realistically we lost a TON of talent on both sides of the ball. You train, and train. You hope for the best, but until the first snap you just don't know.

As an Auburn fan though Utah State was a hard pill to swallow. We did manage to pull one out of the fire, but Utah State? The way we looked as a team, the desperation wasn't there. Utah State owned us all day long. We could not score, we could not operate on offense. We got pushed around on defense in our own house. I will never forget the way we looked that day. It's one thing to lose to an LSU or a Georgia at home, but a Utah State.

We made some adjustments, on offense, that gave us chances down the road but our defense never gained their footage, that is until Coach Roof left our team. We lost some games due to talent but some of last years loses came in part to coaching.

  I HATE losing ever no matter who we lose to, but there is a little difference in a one point loss to say an SEC powerhouse than a no name team. That day set the stage we already had a bulls-eye from our national championship.

  In that much being said I have issue with the NFL. They should not be allowed to bait these young men until after their senior season. You cant leave high school early to attend college. Who can resist the money offered.

Back on track now its a new day with new coaches. This year we still have questions to answer, but our footing should be better than last year, in so much as we have some playing time under our belt. It's our coaches job to perform. We must have the players, the plan, and the wins. So lets get fired up!! Lets make a difference from day one! We are the Auburn Tigers!!!  

You do know we didn't lose to Utah State right?

He acknowledged that we won but everything he stated was pretty much spot on. USU kicked our a$$ up and down the field.

[Wareagletd 0]

I expected a few loses last year. I mean cmon realistically we lost a TON of talent on both sides of the ball. You train, and train. You hope for the best, but until the first snap you just don't know.

As an Auburn fan though Utah State was a hard pill to swallow. We did manage to pull one out of the fire, but Utah State? The way we looked as a team, the desperation wasn't there. Utah State owned us all day long. We could not score, we could not operate on offense. We got pushed around on defense in our own house. I will never forget the way we looked that day. It's one thing to lose to an LSU or a Georgia at home, but a Utah State.

We made some adjustments, on offense, that gave us chances down the road but our defense never gained their footage, that is until Coach Roof left our team. We lost some games due to talent but some of last years loses came in part to coaching.

  I HATE losing ever no matter who we lose to, but there is a little difference in a one point loss to say an SEC powerhouse than a no name team. That day set the stage we already had a bulls-eye from our national championship.

  In that much being said I have issue with the NFL. They should not be allowed to bait these young men until after their senior season. You cant leave high school early to attend college. Who can resist the money offered.

Back on track now its a new day with new coaches. This year we still have questions to answer, but our footing should be better than last year, in so much as we have some playing time under our belt. It's our coaches job to perform. We must have the players, the plan, and the wins. So lets get fired up!! Lets make a difference from day one! We are the Auburn Tigers!!!  

You do know we didn't lose to Utah State right?

He acknowledged that we won but everything he stated was pretty much spot on. USU kicked our a$$ up and down the field.

As I reread it you're right. Mind got lost while I was reading. Time to go sunshine pump.

[Rednilla 5,469]

Yeah, it was a tough pill to swallow, but Utah State had one of the best running games in the country last year, and they were filled with returning starters and veteran backups. We were starting 18 new players who most likely looked at Utah State the exact same way we did, and thus it wasn't so hard for USU to sneak up on us.

This year, we lose 7 players off of the two deep. Another way of saying that is 37 out of 44 major contributors (39/46 if you want to include kickers) are back. We aren't exactly a veteran team yet, but we have some experience, and we have a drive and a hunger to beat the first team on the schedule because of the way we lost last year and particularly because of the way their coach acted after the game.

In other words, we won't play nearly as badly this year as we did last year. The game might be close again, but that's because of an upgrade in opponent.

[dpwspringer 0]

Yeah, it was a tough pill to swallow, but Utah State had one of the best running games in the country last year, and they were filled with returning starters and veteran backups. We were starting 18 new players who most likely looked at Utah State the exact same way we did, and thus it wasn't so hard for USU to sneak up on us.

This year, we lose 7 players off of the two deep. Another way of saying that is 37 out of 44 major contributors (39/46 if you want to include kickers) are back. We aren't exactly a veteran team yet, but we have some experience, and we have a drive and a hunger to beat the first team on the schedule because of the way we lost last year and particularly because of the way their coach acted after the game.

In other words, we won't play nearly as badly this year as we did last year. The game might be close again, but that's because of an upgrade in opponent.

If we don't run Clemson out of the Georgia Dome where they are thinking about who their next coach might be, it might be a long football season for us.  We should have the talent to do that and we should be pumped up enough to kick Clemson up and down the field all day long.  Clemson will be the 4th or 5th best team we play, we should have some serious pay back in store for them, and we have had all off-season to get ready for it. 

[Rednilla 5,469]

Yeah, it was a tough pill to swallow, but Utah State had one of the best running games in the country last year, and they were filled with returning starters and veteran backups. We were starting 18 new players who most likely looked at Utah State the exact same way we did, and thus it wasn't so hard for USU to sneak up on us.

This year, we lose 7 players off of the two deep. Another way of saying that is 37 out of 44 major contributors (39/46 if you want to include kickers) are back. We aren't exactly a veteran team yet, but we have some experience, and we have a drive and a hunger to beat the first team on the schedule because of the way we lost last year and particularly because of the way their coach acted after the game.

In other words, we won't play nearly as badly this year as we did last year. The game might be close again, but that's because of an upgrade in opponent.

If we don't run Clemson out of the Georgia Dome where they are thinking about who their next coach might be, it might be a long football season for us.  We should have the talent to do that and we should be pumped up enough to kick Clemson up and down the field all day long.  Clemson will be the 4th or 5th best team we play, we should have some serious pay back in store for them, and we have had all off-season to get ready for it. 

Huh? Trying to figure out who their coach will be? I'm not sure what you're talking about, because much as I dislike Swinney, he won the ACC last year...not exactly the kind of season that puts you on the hot seat.

And don't act as if we're so superior to them. Clemson has a LOT of talent on their team. No, I don't think it's more than us, but the reason I think we'll win handily is that I think they'll come in arrogant and get hit in the mouth, and at that point I just don't see them recovering. However, if we give them even a sliver of light, there is certainly enough talent for them to burn us, even if Watkins doesn't play.

[Weegle777 78]

IMO, this Auburn team will look totally different than last years team. If Clemson comes in thinking they will cruise, they will get run out of the dome. We will hit them in the mouth early and often with our running game. Look for us to control the LOS and make a statement in this game.

[bikeriderga 137]

This could be a nail biter game. but I really see it as similar to the  Bowl game with Virginia.

We looked pretty good in that game, our defense played much better with very little time under Coach Chiz, and give credit to Barrett Trotter as well. He looked really good as a QB in that game.

We had all of our major contributors healthy. Lutz was healthy, as was Blake.  We did not have Dyer, but McCalleb and Mason carried the load very well. They are back and joined by three other talented backs.

We have talent and experience this year, something we lacked last year. We had the talent, but little to no experience and little depth. This year we have all three.

We have seriously upgraded our defensive coaching staff, and we have a Offensive Coordinator that specializes in creating pro caliber QBs. Time will tell is he is the offensive guru Gus was, but from everything we read, he is one of the best at developing QBs which is our major concern this year.

Our O Line should be better with more depth and returning starters with experience. I see a good set of talented receivers this year with Blake, Lutz, Reed, and Coates leading this group.  McCalleb will be a key in the short yardage passing game and once he gets outside, well we know the story. At RB, I have zero concerns as long as the O-Line can create some initial space.

If Prosch is able to get his waiver (no reason he should not), then this will be a major boost to our running game. This guy is a stud and he does not just block people, he puts them on their backs. With him leading the RBs, that is going to give them that extra three or four steps to break free.

I think AU fans are going to marvel about how much better this team is than last year's squad. I do not claim to be an expert, but everyone close to the program agrees with what I am saying. Pat Dye does not give credit and optimism where it is not due. Neither does Coach Chiz and both are positive about this year. Folks, that should tell you everything you need to know.

Clemson is a good team, but they are not a top SEC caliber team. They should experience a drop off this year, since they have lost key position players. We have lost a few, but precious few.

I see the final outcome being something like 35-21 in the end, in our favor. It will probably be a close game in the first half, but our depth will show in the second half, plus we find out momentum. If this team were not on the berth of something special, I do not think Lutz, Blake, and McCalleb would have come back.  Sure, they can raise their stock with one more year, but it has to be a special year for that to happen.  By mid-season, no one is going to be taking AU lightly. They will be a very good football team.

Just my opinion of course.

[Rednilla 5,469]

This could be a nail biter game. but I really see it as similar to the  Bowl game with Virginia.

We looked pretty good in that game, our defense played much better with very little time under Coach Chiz, and give credit to Barrett Trotter as well. He looked really good as a QB in that game.

We had all of our major contributors healthy. Lutz was healthy, as was Blake.  We did not have Dyer, but McCalleb and Mason carried the load very well. They are back and joined by three other talented backs.

We have talent and experience this year, something we lacked last year. We had the talent, but little to no experience and little depth. This year we have all three.

We have seriously upgraded our defensive coaching staff, and we have a Offensive Coordinator that specializes in creating pro caliber QBs. Time will tell is he is the offensive guru Gus was, but from everything we read, he is one of the best at developing QBs which is our major concern this year.

Our O Line should be better with more depth and returning starters with experience. I see a good set of talented receivers this year with Blake, Lutz, Reed, and Coates leading this group.  McCalleb will be a key in the short yardage passing game and once he gets outside, well we know the story. At RB, I have zero concerns as long as the O-Line can create some initial space.

If Prosch is able to get his waiver (no reason he should not), then this will be a major boost to our running game. This guy is a stud and he does not just block people, he puts them on their backs. With him leading the RBs, that is going to give them that extra three or four steps to break free.

I think AU fans are going to marvel about how much better this team is than last year's squad. I do not claim to be an expert, but everyone close to the program agrees with what I am saying. Pat Dye does not give credit and optimism where it is not due. Neither does Coach Chiz and both are positive about this year. Folks, that should tell you everything you need to know.

Clemson is a good team, but they are not a top SEC caliber team. They should experience a drop off this year, since they have lost key position players. We have lost a few, but precious few.

I see the final outcome being something like 35-21 in the end, in our favor. It will probably be a close game in the first half, but our depth will show in the second half, plus we find out momentum. If this team were not on the berth of something special, I do not think Lutz, Blake, and McCalleb would have come back.  Sure, they can raise their stock with one more year, but it has to be a special year for that to happen.  By mid-season, no one is going to be taking AU lightly. They will be a very good football team.

Just my opinion of course.

I agree with everything except the part about losing Clemson losing key position players...they lost several key linemen, but the position players are almost all back.

[Row_9 0]

Utah State- I was really suprised how slow we were in that game.  Actually, I was disappointed how slow we were all year.  I can't believe they had a true freshman QB come to Jordan-Hare and dominate us like he did.  Roof should have been fired at half time of that game.

[aubfaninga 16]

I expected a few loses last year. I mean cmon realistically we lost a TON of talent on both sides of the ball. You train, and train. You hope for the best, but until the first snap you just don't know.

As an Auburn fan though Utah State was a hard pill to swallow. We did manage to pull one out of the fire, but Utah State? The way we looked as a team, the desperation wasn't there. Utah State owned us all day long. We could not score, we could not operate on offense. We got pushed around on defense in our own house. I will never forget the way we looked that day. It's one thing to lose to an LSU or a Georgia at home, but a Utah State.

We made some adjustments, on offense, that gave us chances down the road but our defense never gained their footage, that is until Coach Roof left our team. We lost some games due to talent but some of last years loses came in part to coaching.

  I HATE losing ever no matter who we lose to, but there is a little difference in a one point loss to say an SEC powerhouse than a no name team. That day set the stage we already had a bulls-eye from our national championship.

  In that much being said I have issue with the NFL. They should not be allowed to bait these young men until after their senior season. You cant leave high school early to attend college. Who can resist the money offered.

Back on track now its a new day with new coaches. This year we still have questions to answer, but our footing should be better than last year, in so much as we have some playing time under our belt. It's our coaches job to perform. We must have the players, the plan, and the wins. So lets get fired up!! Lets make a difference from day one! We are the Auburn Tigers!!!  

I just hope that us fans don't walk out the dome before the game is over. Why would we expect the players to not quit in games if we do. That was more embarrassing than how the team played.

[dpwspringer 0]

Yeah, it was a tough pill to swallow, but Utah State had one of the best running games in the country last year, and they were filled with returning starters and veteran backups. We were starting 18 new players who most likely looked at Utah State the exact same way we did, and thus it wasn't so hard for USU to sneak up on us.

This year, we lose 7 players off of the two deep. Another way of saying that is 37 out of 44 major contributors (39/46 if you want to include kickers) are back. We aren't exactly a veteran team yet, but we have some experience, and we have a drive and a hunger to beat the first team on the schedule because of the way we lost last year and particularly because of the way their coach acted after the game.

In other words, we won't play nearly as badly this year as we did last year. The game might be close again, but that's because of an upgrade in opponent.

If we don't run Clemson out of the Georgia Dome where they are thinking about who their next coach might be, it might be a long football season for us.  We should have the talent to do that and we should be pumped up enough to kick Clemson up and down the field all day long.  Clemson will be the 4th or 5th best team we play, we should have some serious pay back in store for them, and we have had all off-season to get ready for it. 

Huh? Trying to figure out who their coach will be? I'm not sure what you're talking about, because much as I dislike Swinney, he won the ACC last year...not exactly the kind of season that puts you on the hot seat.

And don't act as if we're so superior to them. Clemson has a LOT of talent on their team. No, I don't think it's more than us, but the reason I think we'll win handily is that I think they'll come in arrogant and get hit in the mouth, and at that point I just don't see them recovering. However, if we give them even a sliver of light, there is certainly enough talent for them to burn us, even if Watkins doesn't play.

Clemson got 70 points put up on them in their last outing.  Remember Tommy Bowden's last season at Clemson, how that started out, and how it went from there?  (Hint, Clemson was being talked about as a NC contender and this team from Alabama that had just had a 7-6 season and was expected to struggle easily handled them 34-10 in Atlanta.  Bowden didn't know what happened and did not even finish out the season at Clemson.)  Now with all in mind, if we totally dominate and embarrass them then they may be thinking it is time for a coaching change.

[Rednilla 5,469]

Yeah, it was a tough pill to swallow, but Utah State had one of the best running games in the country last year, and they were filled with returning starters and veteran backups. We were starting 18 new players who most likely looked at Utah State the exact same way we did, and thus it wasn't so hard for USU to sneak up on us.

This year, we lose 7 players off of the two deep. Another way of saying that is 37 out of 44 major contributors (39/46 if you want to include kickers) are back. We aren't exactly a veteran team yet, but we have some experience, and we have a drive and a hunger to beat the first team on the schedule because of the way we lost last year and particularly because of the way their coach acted after the game.

In other words, we won't play nearly as badly this year as we did last year. The game might be close again, but that's because of an upgrade in opponent.

If we don't run Clemson out of the Georgia Dome where they are thinking about who their next coach might be, it might be a long football season for us.  We should have the talent to do that and we should be pumped up enough to kick Clemson up and down the field all day long.  Clemson will be the 4th or 5th best team we play, we should have some serious pay back in store for them, and we have had all off-season to get ready for it. 

Huh? Trying to figure out who their coach will be? I'm not sure what you're talking about, because much as I dislike Swinney, he won the ACC last year...not exactly the kind of season that puts you on the hot seat.

And don't act as if we're so superior to them. Clemson has a LOT of talent on their team. No, I don't think it's more than us, but the reason I think we'll win handily is that I think they'll come in arrogant and get hit in the mouth, and at that point I just don't see them recovering. However, if we give them even a sliver of light, there is certainly enough talent for them to burn us, even if Watkins doesn't play.

Clemson got 70 points put up on them in their last outing.  Remember Tommy Bowden's last season at Clemson, how that started out, and how it went from there?  (Hint, Clemson was being talked about as a NC contender and this team from Alabama that had just had a 7-6 season and was expected to struggle easily handled them 34-10 in Atlanta.  Bowden didn't know what happened and did not even finish out the season at Clemson.)  Now with all in mind, if we totally dominate and embarrass them then they may be thinking it is time for a coaching change.

I see, you meant that as an extension of running them out of the Dome, not that they were already looking for a new coach. I gotcha now...but considering Swinney won his division during his first full season there (which Bowden never did) and won the conference last year, I think he'll get a little more consideration. I mean, Bowden had been at Clemson for almost a decade with no 10 win seasons and no conference championships, and that was supposed to be the year he broke through. When Bama took him to the woodshed and he proceeded to lose two of his first three ACC games, it was pretty obvious that he was gone.

[bikeriderga 137]

I agree with everything except the part about losing Clemson losing key position players...they lost several key linemen, but the position players are almost all back.

Well, to me O-Line is crucial key players.  Clemson lost 5 of their top seven on the O-Line.

We all know what a porous O-Line looks like.

In addition, they lost three of their top four D-Line.. That's pretty huge.

[AUwenMD 0]

Yeah, it was a tough pill to swallow, but Utah State had one of the best running games in the country last year, and they were filled with returning starters and veteran backups. We were starting 18 new players who most likely looked at Utah State the exact same way we did, and thus it wasn't so hard for USU to sneak up on us.

This year, we lose 7 players off of the two deep. Another way of saying that is 37 out of 44 major contributors (39/46 if you want to include kickers) are back. We aren't exactly a veteran team yet, but we have some experience, and we have a drive and a hunger to beat the first team on the schedule because of the way we lost last year and particularly because of the way their coach acted after the game.

In other words, we won't play nearly as badly this year as we did last year. The game might be close again, but that's because of an upgrade in opponent.

hear here!

[Warbird82 160]

IMO, this Auburn team will look totally different than last years team. If Clemson comes in thinking they will cruise, they will get run out of the dome. We will hit them in the mouth early and often with our running game. Look for us to control the LOS and make a statement in this game.

Maybe they will have a "Purple Out" for the game...those always work!

[rollsroyce5 0]

I expected a few loses last year. I mean cmon realistically we lost a TON of talent on both sides of the ball. You train, and train. You hope for the best, but until the first snap you just don't know.

As an Auburn fan though Utah State was a hard pill to swallow. We did manage to pull one out of the fire, but Utah State? The way we looked as a team, the desperation wasn't there. Utah State owned us all day long. We could not score, we could not operate on offense. We got pushed around on defense in our own house. I will never forget the way we looked that day. It's one thing to lose to an LSU or a Georgia at home, but a Utah State.

We made some adjustments, on offense, that gave us chances down the road but our defense never gained their footage, that is until Coach Roof left our team. We lost some games due to talent but some of last years loses came in part to coaching.

  I HATE losing ever no matter who we lose to, but there is a little difference in a one point loss to say an SEC powerhouse than a no name team. That day set the stage we already had a bulls-eye from our national championship.

  In that much being said I have issue with the NFL. They should not be allowed to bait these young men until after their senior season. You cant leave high school early to attend college. Who can resist the money offered.

Back on track now its a new day with new coaches. This year we still have questions to answer, but our footing should be better than last year, in so much as we have some playing time under our belt. It's our coaches job to perform. We must have the players, the plan, and the wins. So lets get fired up!! Lets make a difference from day one! We are the Auburn Tigers!!!  

You do know we didn't lose to Utah State right?

He acknowledged that we won but everything he stated was pretty much spot on. USU kicked our a$$ up and down the field.

You guys are practicing a little revisionist history here. Yes we got ran up and down the field but only when our defense was on the field. The offense looked great scoring on something like 6 of 8 possessions. The defense just couldn't give then the ball at all!

[IronMan70 3,322]

I could write a long post with the reasons, but I will just say it's going to be payback time in Atlanta. We are going to KICK CLEMSON'S AZZ.

[DyeEraTiger 0]

Yeah, it was a tough pill to swallow, but Utah State had one of the best running games in the country last year, and they were filled with returning starters and veteran backups. We were starting 18 new players who most likely looked at Utah State the exact same way we did, and thus it wasn't so hard for USU to sneak up on us.

This year, we lose 7 players off of the two deep. Another way of saying that is 37 out of 44 major contributors (39/46 if you want to include kickers) are back. We aren't exactly a veteran team yet, but we have some experience, and we have a drive and a hunger to beat the first team on the schedule because of the way we lost last year and particularly because of the way their coach acted after the game.

In other words, we won't play nearly as badly this year as we did last year. The game might be close again, but that's because of an upgrade in opponent.

I said after that game that they had a very good Oline and as it turned out, it looks like it was one of the better o lines we faced last season. I agree with the original poster that we were pretty pushed around that day. I believe we will be much more physical on both sides this year.