quietfan 233 Posted August 20, 2006 Share Posted August 20, 2006 http://www.al.com/sports/birminghamnews/ks....xml&coll=2 ...Mack Brown captured the importance of preseason polls after his Longhorns came in second in the first USA Today rankings. As he said, ``It's a whole lot easier to get to No. 1 from No. 2 than it is from No. 20." Do the math, and Auburn players, coaches and fans should be thrilled with their initial poll position in the two preseason rankings that matter. In the USA Today coaches' poll, which figures into the BCS standings, which will determine the two teams that play in the BCS championship game Jan. 8 in Glendale, Ariz., the Tigers start at No. 6. In the AP poll, which will crown its own national champion independent of the BCS, Auburn begins at No. 4. Tommy Tuberville kidded about voters not learning their lessons, but no one knows better that where you start can help determine where you finish. Auburn finished No. 2 in 2004, in large part, because Auburn started No. 17. A high preseason ranking is no joke. It's not a curse or a jinx or an obstacle to be overcome. It's a gift. The best programs don't shrink from it. They line up, step up and take advantage of it. It's time for Auburn to be one of those programs. It's time for Auburn to start the season as the SEC favorite and finish as the SEC champion, not as the team that beat the SEC champion. It's time for Auburn to start the season in the top six in the national polls, in the national championship discussion, and finish there. It's time for Auburn to win the opener against an opponent from a BCS conference - something it hasn't done since 1997 against Virginia - and bookend the season with a victory in a BCS bowl. It's time for Auburn to take advantage of its overall talent and its experience at key positions and a favorable schedule that brings the toughest opponents to Jordan-Hare Stadium. It's time for Auburn to set its sights higher than winning more state titles than Hoover High School and almost as many division titles as the Braves. Three years ago, a season that started with great expectations ended with snakes on a plane, but that experience made the program stronger. Two years ago, the best season in Auburn history wasn't good enough - for reasons beyond Auburn's control - so it's time to do better. What's better than 13-0 and No. 2? How about 14-0 and No. 1? It's possible. And isn't it about time? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
damabama 15 Posted August 20, 2006 Share Posted August 20, 2006 It's possible. And isn't it about time? damn skippy it is, skippy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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