Keys to victory, AU vs KSU

[subterranean_jack 113]

While KSU players and coaches have been running stadium steps instead of preparing for Auburn, what are the 3 keys to an Auburn victory. Be specific.

Here are my thoughts--

1) OL provides adequate protection, Cox completes a minimum of 10 passes.

2) Carl Stewart plays half the game.

3) New punter Ryan Shoemaker averages at least 38 yards per punt.

[Tiger1992 1,114]

I would hope to hell whoever we have punting can average more than 38 yards per punt. If not, we're in for a long, disappointing year.

[jtweeks 0]

lol

[AUBURNJAC 53]

While KSU players and coaches have been running stadium steps instead of preparing for Auburn, what are the 3 keys to an Auburn victory. Be specific.

Here are my thoughts--

1) OL provides adequate protection, Cox completes a minimum of 10 passes.

2) Carl Stewart plays half the game.

3) New punter Ryan Shoemaker averages at least 38 yards per punt.

MAIN THING!!!!! SHOW UP LIKE WE DID FOR THE FIRST GAME IN 2006!!!!! IF WE SHOW UP LIKE WE DID FOR THE OPENERS AGAINST VIRGINIA, USC, GA. TECH, ECT.....WE ARE IN FOR A LONG LONG DAY!!!

We need to have at least:

offense:

100 yds ruching

200 yds passing

no more than 1 turnover

no more than 1 sack

defense:

no more than 100 yds rushing

no more than 150 yds passing

at least one turnover

at least 1 sack

special team:

no missed field goals

42+ yds per punt avg.

15 yds at least kickoff return

10 yds punt return

vice versa on the defensive side of special teams.

WAR EAGLE!!!!!! I CAN'T FREAKING WAIT!!!!!

[AUloggerhead 2,840]

AU needs a good showing the first game -- balanced offense attack and a stifling defense. As for the kicking averages, I'd like to see a 0 attempts, 0.0 avg on punts and only 1 KO return attempt.

[aumd03 2]

Its all about the running game. This is an undersized defense much like our own and if we can punch them in the face with our running game early and establish it, they'll be on their heels for the passing the game the rest of the night. Its like Arkansas does against us. Pound the middle and then everything else falls into place.

Our d will be ok. As long as special teams don't make major mistakes and make turnovers we'll be ok against a team with less talent. We can afford to play a field position game in this game.

[tgr4lfe 220]

For sure, everything those that have posted are keys to every game as game analysis always is. I wonder if KSU's O is as weak as is portrayed by that article posted where the QB completed 0 passes. So, either their O sucks or the D is outstanding, from everything I know about their O, I think it the former.

For this game it will be the game experience for the kickers, punters, kickoff, and FGs. This game will be a big time stepping stone to dictate potentially the rest of the year. Confidence for the season I think rests with this game for the young kickers. I think there is no doubt they have talent and can get the job done, let's just hope they can handle the pressure. I am confident they will.

Offensively AU has to control the line of scrimmage. I don't think there will be any problems with that on either side of the ball, but stranger things have happened. I actually think we are in for a treat offensively this year. So many weapons for CAB to use, I see AU establishing a strong running game, but with a steady consistent dose of passes, play action, and screens to unbalance the D. Probably pretty basic for the opening season though.

Defensively, AU will stop the run and make Freeman pass. Hopefully, making him look as silly as the 2004 unit did to Ainge. Controlling LoS is crucial.

[rebdawg 5]

Not to sound arrogant (this is for the KSU poster who said we sometimes sound like Nebraska elitists) but whenever you have a game where one team has a physical superiority across the board you do not worry as much about the other team. You work on what you do best and challenge them to stop you. No offense to KSU but we are physically better than they are at pretty much every position. On paper we should be able to enforce our will on them on both sides of the ball. This is not a dig at KSU's players, but simply a harsh reality, look at the rankings of our last 5 or 6 recruiting classes.

Athleticism, unfortunately is not the only factor. These two coaching staffs have never gone at each other before, therefore we have no knowledge of how well each counters the other. It is also the first game of a new season and we know nothing of the heart and personality of either team. Since these factors are unknowns we must proceed on what we do know.

We start 22 young men that are faster, stronger, and more agile than the 22 young men they start. Our game plan is to do what we want and make adjustments if needed. We are Auburn - establish the run. Mix in passes off of play action, surprising them with the throws on first down and short yardage from time to time. We run our 25 or so best plays from multiple formations hoping to create a little confusion in their defense and control the game clock. Also, we must finish our drives. Red zone scoring needs to be a strength this year while breaking in a new place kicker. Some teams run over you (Wisconsin), some run around you (Florida), some throw over you (BYU) and some throw it where you aren't (Nebraska). The beauty of the Gulf Coast offense is that it is a perfect mix of brute force, blazing speed, and cunning.

On the other side of the ball we use our speed. KSU is simply not used to the speed of our defense. The '05 Texas team had the fastest defense I have ever seen in a Big 12 team and they would have been only the fourth or fifth fastest defense in the SEC that year. If you are not used to seeing that kind of speed it dazzles an offense. Look at OU against USC in the Orange Bowl. The Spartan defense was so fast that the Sooners where overwhelmed by it.

So our goal is to make plays behind the line of scrimmage, put pressure on the QB and hopefully force a mistake or two. A couple of "three and outs" on their first possessions coupled with us eating clock and putting points on the board can make it a one dimensional game by the mid 3rd quarter.

Numbers I want to see:

Cox 60% comps. 150 - 200 yards.

Running game puts up 160+ yards.

Red zone scoring 80% or better.

Defense allows no more than 70 yards on the ground and is rock solid on 3rd down conversions. They also need to put a lot of pressure on the QB, 2-3 sacks and lots of hurries. Make plays - if the ball hits the turf get it, if a lineman misses a block make them pay, QB puts up a duck come down with it.

My prediction - AU 38 - KSU 10.

Once again that is just based on physical match ups. We do not know how well the two staffs will handle each other nor do we know the character of either team, both of which are huge factors.

[Bottomfeeder 244]

Just hold on to the ball. That's all I ask is to dominate the clock.

[otterinbham 0]

Score more points. That's my surefire strategy.

[WarTim 3,539]

Defense...defense...defense....

We must, and I feel we WILL, play to OUR strength. Our Offense needs a little time to develop. I say we play field position and run and punt!

[aumd03 2]

Score more points. That's my surefire strategy.

I tend to take a similar simple minded approach thats a little different. Don't let them score. Worst case scenario end in a tie and go to overtime.

[tiger1432 0]

i will not be happy with only 150 or 160 rushing yards unless your talkin 1st quarter

[TheDrewYouKnew 3]

I think the biggest key to victory will be to score more points than Kansas State. If we can do that, we should have no trouble winning the game.

[TruAubFan 0]

The 3 key words is

PLAY AUBURN FOOTBALL

[AUbirdie 0]

k state is a very mediocre football team. the only reason they were able to make it to a bowl last year is bc they play in the weakest division(big 12 north) out of all the major conferences. if we do not absolutely pummel them i think we are in for a long season with the schedule we have. keys to this game with the talent and experience we have should be nothing more than us making it to the stadium and not being drunk when we get there( this does not apply to me.)

early prediction

au 45

k st 10

[mcgufcm 4,109]

one of the big keys for us is going to be effectively covering kicks. i believe they led the big 12 in returns for touchdowns. they have fast, big play guys in kick and punt return spots, and they're going to get a chance to make plays (both because the kicks were moved back and because i expect us to score). 0 big plays against us in the return game is a big win.

stopping the run is the next step to me. if we hold them under 100 yards rushing, we should be able to dictate down and distance for most of the game. with guys like groves, sims, marks (shifting inside), and blackmon rushing, i like our chances any time we get an opportunity to pin our ears back against any team. stop the run and make them predictable, and you get to do that more often.

offensively, we need to protect the ball. two of our 5 losses in the last two seasons were directly caused by turnovers. hold onto the ball, and we should be okay. we've got good backs that can make plays (lester especially is a big play guy), and we have receivers that at the least can move the sticks. hold onto the ball, 0 turnovers.

we do all that, and we'll coast into a win. i don't expect a beat down. i really don't. not because we're not good enough or anything like that, but i just think this team is a lot like the 2004 group in that we're going to look for an identity at the start more than anything else. it took that group a few games to become killers, and i think it'll take a few games for this team to find itself as well.

allow 0 return scores

hold them under 100 yards rushing

0 turnovers

[TigerMom 0]

The team need to show up for the game AND the crowd needs to be LOUD.

[aucanucktiger 1,988]

These are the only ways we LOSE this one:

If we're on D first: don't give up any big plays first series. The only way KSU moves the ball first series is through busted D assignments and/or missed tackles. Hopefully Muschamp has stressed fundamentals better than last year @ this time.

If we're on O first: mix it up (not meaning razzle dazzle, but run it inside, run it outside, short dump to the TE, roll out by Cox, etc. Our O coaching staff is BRILLIANT @ mxing it up ( & we have the personnel to do so), when they choose to do so. I know the temptaion is to jam it down their throats, but wait until our depth has worn them down, THEN jam it down their throats evey play.

NO TURNOVERS by the O.

QB pressure by our D.

I know I've said this before, but 31-10 AU is what this game should be.

[TheDrewYouKnew 3]

We would lose if we had Brodie.....wow....

[ProgRock 0]

One thing that I haven't seen anyone mention, is that with a inexperience O line comes the dreaded false start pentaly..and other flags abound.This concerns me because it screws up timing and rhythm.One big 7 yard run then someone on the line forgets the count then back 5 yards.

So no offensive pentaly number 1

K state weakness is the run so we run.

Play action for the big one.

Defense...shut down the run first(as usual).

Don't allow the big play(again as usual)

Tackle well and don't leave your feet.......and no over pursute(sp).