- Coach Gene Chizik came from Iowa State with a losing record as a head coach, but promptly assembled an impressive staff and went 8-5 in his first year of coaching in the SEC.
- Gus Malzahn is an innovative play-caller and made great strides last year in matching his offense's strengths against his opponent's defenses. It is no freak of nature that Auburn had Alabama on the ropes until the end of the game.
- Chizik has put together two very good recruiting classes, with the 2010 class being one of the best since the Pat Dye years. Easily the best since the 2001-2002 classes Tommy Tuberville assembled with an asterisk (Bama was in the throes of probation, basically giving Tubs the pick of in-state talent).
- JUCO transfer Quarterback Cameron Newton is the real deal. The coaches say he has both the physical and mental skills to play in the SEC.
- The offensive line returns at least three of five starters from last year.
- Auburn's defensive line is smallish and young, but Chizik is a defensive coach and Tracy Rocker is as good a defensive assistant as they come.
- Momentum. Auburn had a decent year last year, but the real momentum comes from the sense of confidence down on the Plains. The program has closed the door on the Tuberville malaise. They think things are looking up, and a program with the fan support, facilities, coaching staff and talent of Auburn is dangerous when they think they can win.
Prediction: The winner of the Iron Bowl plays Florida for the SEC Title.
Gimme some feedback in the comments.
5 comments :
mooo... ;)
Dude... Bama fans don't talk about the Barn like that. Put down the crack pipe.
Alright, who are you and how did you get GulfCoastBamaFan's password?!?!
Come on, guys. Cheez is doing a good job. I don't worry so much about LSU, Arky or Ole Miss. Arky will be a threat in years to come, the hatter is as loony as ever, and no one lays Eggs like a Nutt. But Auburn is Bama's biggest hurdle in the West this year. It's not a bad thing to recognize that, is it?
Wow, that is one more confident prediction. Maybe they do have the momentum this year. They certainly have plenty of room to move up in the polls while Alabama has to defend their spot.
I kind of hope that Dabo Swinney's Tigers give them a run for their money (I like Clemson's shade of orange much better). I don't feel guilty pulling for Clemson since Swinney is an Alabama native 'done good'.
Anyway, you are probably right that Auburn poses a threat to Bama. I don't EVER take that game for granted.
Roll Tide!
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