And so does this writer

[rexbo 104]

WINN - CNN-SI

It should stick. The Grudge Match. A black-and-blue affair -- of which Auburn wideout Courtney Taylor was willing to say, "It was ugly. Ugly. But we'll take it" -- in which the Plainsmen could surely find plenty of beauty. Such as the fact that they're not only in the SEC West driver's seat, but, thanks to Notre Dame's upset loss to Michigan, in a position to move up to No. 2 in both the AP poll (they're 3 now) and the coaches (they're 4). If the coaches have any sense, they'll leap Auburn over USC come Sunday. This is a Tigers team that looks every bit as good as its 2004 brethren who ran the table but were excluded from the Orange Bowl, and deserves a shot at the BCS title game should it stay undefeated.

Tuberville was disinterested in talking rankings ("Notre Dame lost?" he said in the press conference, toying with the reporter who posed the question. "No they didn't. Tell me they didn't.") and reminded everyone that the Tigers (now 3-0, 2-0) still "have a long ways to go."

But when the rest of that schedule includes two pushovers (Buffalo and Tulane) and nary a road game against an SEC juggernaut (they have South Carolina, Ole Miss and the Iron Bowl left) the Auburn-in-Arizona-come-January-8 discussion is now officially open. And very reasonable.

[Bottomfeeder 244]

Hopefully, the next two weeks will allow our guys to regain their health 100%.

[Raven_tiger 5]

It is a long road ahead, with UGA and UF to clear. I hope CTT keeps that "there's still a long way to go" attitude.

[OKieAuburnDoug 1]

USC has No business jumping AU in the polls with the way the Huskers blew several opportunities...I'm sure not making any predictions on AU with Florida,Gerogia,Bama still ahead.