Iron Bowl 2019: It's tough to beat luck like that...

For this Iron Bowl, both the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Auburn Tigers laid everything on the field on a perfect Saturday evening at Jordan Hare Stadium. This is the way this annual grudge match is supposed to be.

What seems to set the 2019 apart from the standard fare of the series was the sloppiness. Sloppiness is a symptom of a lack of discipline, lack of experience and poor concentration. Neither team had much of any of that good stuff.

Auburn won this game using their athleticism and incredible luck. But as the old saying goes, luck is when preparation meets opportunity. Auburn was prepared, Alabama was not.

Four plays epitomized Alabama's fortunes in the game:

1. Auburn's Smoke Monday (is that a name or a play call?) picked off a sailed throw from Alabama's Mac Jones and took it in for a 29-yard touchdown. This is not typical Mac Jones--he's never wild or careless with the ball. It just sailed this time.
2. After three 1st and Goals, Auburn took a Jones pass that bounced off of Naji Harris's back into his hands and raced 100 yards for another pick six.
3. With the score 48-45 Auburn's way, Joe Bulova boinked what should have been an easy kick to tie the game. That's pretty much been Bama's poison for a lot of Nick Saban's tenure at Alabama, but anyway...
4. With Auburn facing 4th and 4-ish with about a minute left, and with everyone in the world except Auburn expecting a punt, AU instead showed a standard offensive lineup. That forced Bama to too-hastily substitute and AU caught'em with 12 men on the field. Automatic 1st down; ball game.

That last penalty was the 13th against Alabama, which is the most ever for a Saban coached team at Alabama. Almost every one of the flags went against underclassmen, every one of them on the field at Auburn for the first time.

In many of the 2019 games, the left side of the defense seemed to always have at least one guy out of position. Opposing teams exploited that weakness repeatedly. Often on 3rd down. Usually for a conversion. Almost always against underclassmen.

Truth be told, Alabama has been cheating lady luck all season. Had this team of uncharacteristically young Sabanites faced up-to-speed and healthy opponents in South Carolina, Texas A&M, Ole Miss, Tennessee and Mississippi State, a 10-2 regular season record would have gotten Coach Saban legitimate nominations for SEC and National Coach of the Year awards. The team lost a treasure trove of talent to the NFL after the 2018 season. No fewer than five freshmen started on defense. There were no more than seven seniors starting against Auburn on the whole team. The offense didn't have one senior starter on the field against Auburn. Not one. The defense only had four. The starting lineup for the Iron Bowl consisted almost exclusively of underclassmen, and only a handful will (or should) depart early for the NFL Draft.

All Bama fans want Alabama to win every single game they play. The players and coaches want that even more. But when your team's best players lack big game experience, you're at risk. When you're up against teams in the SEC, and your team's best players lack big game experience, you're really at risk. When you're the Alabama Crimson Tide and every opponent on the schedule has your game circled on the calendar... luck is just about the only thing that gets you through unscathed. Alabama lost to the only two ranked teams it played--LSU in a down-to-the-wire shootout at home, and Auburn in a down-to-the-wire shootout in their corral. 

There is still a bowl game to play and Alabama will be at the top of the list for the SEC's top tier bowl tie-ins. The few seniors and departing juniors still have one more chance to show their stuff.

After that, Alabama will get down to business putting the 2019 season's experience to very good use. Nick Saban never misses an opportunity to use disappointment as a motivator. The 2019 true and redshirt freshmen will come back and work with the rising upperclassmen. Between 25-30 players from this team will be back for 2020. A year older, a year better an a year hungrier.

Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity and it's my bet that Alabama will be more than prepared this time next year to take advantage of many more opportunities. And other fans can complain about bad luck.

Bama will be just fine.

Iron Bowl 2019: A game that is almost always won or lost in the trenches

This is the Southeastern Conference, where big boys come to play big boy football and all little boys watch'em and pray they grow up to be'em. This is the Iron Bowl, an uncivil civil war between two in-state rivals. This game is like almost every other game played in this league in that it is almost always decided in that scant yard or so we call the neutral zone--a gentleman's euphemism for warfare's No Man's Land.

If your big strong ugly dudes can knock down the other team's big strong ugly dudes, you can win the game. If your less big, less ugly dudes can also block, catch and run, then you probably will win.

Auburn's defensive front seven is probably the best front seven in the league. They are big, athletic and have been wreaking havoc on opposing offensive lines.  Their defense has kept them in games that they shouldn't have had a chance at winning.

Alabama probably has the best offensive line in the league. It's better than Georgia's and at least as good as LSU's. Bama's offensive line finally gelled when Deonte Brown returned from a four game NCAA suspension against Ole Miss in September. The line has worked together as a unit since then--a usual key to success up front.

Auburn's offensive line has been a disappointment. Some of that is due to youth, but some of it is due to injuries. The shifting of players and lack of experience has kept the unit from working successfully together for any considerable stretch. Talent at 'skill' positions only counts if the defense isn't on your side of the line of scrimmage every other snap.

Likewise, Alabama's front seven has struggled. Part of those struggles are also injury related. Bama lost LB Dylan Moses to a freak injury in practice before the season started. The team has never lacked the physical talent necessary to make plays. But Moses was to be the defense's quarterback, making sure the players were in position for Coach Saban's 3-4 Over/Under defense. The left side of the defense has frequently been caught flat-footed or just plain out of position, and the team has often found it hard to get off the field on third downs. Whether Moses' presence could have made a difference is pure speculation but it damned sure wouldn't have hurt.

So we'll likely see a push and push--Alabama's offensive line will struggle to keep Auburn's front seven from wrecking plays, and Alabama's talented front seven will likewise wreak havoc on a young Auburn offensive line.

In games like this, anything can happen. I have no idea who wins.

“Head Roll Bowl” Loser Les Miles Loses Head

He’s out.

Les Miles is now the former head coach of the Louisiana State University Bengal Tigers, and everyone saw it coming.

I can’t take credit for the term “Head Roll Bowl,” as a few of my Twitter, Facebook and TideFans pals coined it first.

But, oh my… was it prophetic.

I watched every single play of last Saturday night’s matchup between two of the four contenders for SEC West runners-up. I was both legitimately bored and completely amazed.

We knew both teams had stout defenses. We knew also that neither team had a go-to-guy at quarterback, a position which is becoming increasingly more important in SEC football. We also, also knew that LSU has college football’s best tailback in Leonard Fournette. We also, also, also knew that Auburn would sell out to stop him.

The outcome of the game—and the outcome of either coach’s career at his respective university—came down to one play. And that play would be the offensive penalty LSU committed before the highly controversial and much discussed play in which Danny Etling (1) finally saw an open receiver and (2) finally completed a pass to him.

It is often said that if the outcome of a game comes down to one play, then it’s your own damned fault for letting the game come down to that crucial play.

Had there been four, three or two seconds left at the end of regulation, we might be talking about why Gus Malzahn was fired and how Les Miles saved his job. The pass was made. The feet were down. It was a game winning score.

But it didn’t count, and now Les Miles is looking for something else to do.

Exit Questions: Why fire Miles now? Why let coach Ed “yaw-yaw” Orgeron take over as interim coach with the real meat of the SEC schedule remaining? 

If Gus Malzahn takes the Auburn job, they skate with the NCAA

It is irrefutable logic. Gus Malzahn was Auburn’s offensive coordinator for three years. If Auburn has committed any major NCAA recruiting violations, he knows about them and he knows where the bodies are buried.

No intelligent head coach would walk into a situation knowing that impending NCAA sanctions might cripple his program for the next three to four years. Further, under the new NCAA penalty system those sanctions would likely include hefty fines for the program, a multiple-year post season ban and heavier scholarship reductions than anything that might have been imposed previously.

Malzahn knows all of this. He also knows that in the modern era, no Auburn head football coach since Shug Jordan has left that program on his own terms. Only one—Tommy Tuberville—went on to coach a major college football program after leaving the plains.

If the NCAA finds major violations and imposes harsh sanctions, it will be many years before Auburn is competitive again in the Southeastern Conference. Going 0-8 in the SEC will become the new normal and as we all know, there is no fan base in this league patient enough to stomach that.

So if Auburn does announce Gus Malzahn as their next head coach, you can rest assured that there won’t likely be any major NCAA violations found.

You can extend this logic to candidates who have recruited against Auburn since 2009, the year Gene Chizik and his staff took over the Auburn program. That would include Bobby Petrino, Kirby Smart, Jimbo Fisher, Chadd Morris and James Franklin. You don’t go head-to-head for top recruits for three years running and not know if a program is exceeding the speed limit by enough to get nailed by the local constabulary.

It doesn’t matter how much money you throw at these guys, either. They’re all relatively young men with relatively bright, yet brief resumes. They’re all up-and-comers, which means that they won’t take a short term cash bonanza if it means wrecking their longer term potential as head coaches. They’re too smart for that.

The only one with an ego—and sense of desperation—large enough to risk his future thinking he might win anyway is Petrino, and even he might take pause.

So mark this down: If Gus Malzahn takes the Auburn job, there won’t be any major NCAA sanctions levied against the Tigers.

The logic is irrefutable.

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Quotables: Auburn cleans house

“Winning three games is unacceptable,” he said. “We have high standards here at Auburn, and we’re going to keep them high. That’s what it boiled down to.”

Jacobs also said off-the-field issues concerned him when evaluating the program as well.

“Overall discipline is something that always is a foundational thing in any team you have,” he said.

* * *

Listening to Auburn athletic director Jay Jacobs on Sunday while announcing the firing of Gene Chizik as Auburn’s head football coach, you got the impression he was aware of the collapse all along.

Not only aware of it, but disturbed by it. Good for him.

Every Auburn fan throughout the country watched it painfully unfold over the last three months.

But how Jacobs gets off the hook for this mess is beyond me.

What could he possibly have told Auburn president Jay Gogue to keep from losing his own job?

“Hey, prez ... can’t believe what’s happening out there ... will look into it ... but hey, Coach Chiz is a good guy ... great character ... we’ll get someone in here to turn this around ...”

* * *

"I think we did what he deserved and we gave him a standing ovation and clapped for him," he said. "There's so much love for coach Chizik on this team. Would we have loved to see him get another year, another opportunity? Yes, but at the same time we understand where Jay Jacobs is coming from. Three wins isn't going to cut it in our league."

Defensive tackle Jeff Whitaker said, "It's kind of crazy right now. I had a special bond with Coach Chizik."

Chizik inserted tailback Tre Mason on the final play against Alabama to get him to 1,000 yards. The next day, Mason saw his coach get fired.

"It was a rough day for everybody," Mason said. "It's tough. There are going to be a lot of tears shed because there are a lot of relationships that may be put on hold or come to an end today. I have nothing negative to say about coach Chizik. He's done a lot for me and this program. I wish him the best of luck in his future."

* * *

When Auburn finally fired Gene Chizik on Sunday, I couldn't help but think of Reuben Foster. Who is Foster? He's the star high school linebacker who originally committed to Alabama but flipped to Auburn in July. How did Foster celebrate his decision?

By getting an Auburn tattoo that spans one of his forearms.

Few things in college football should ever be commemorated with permanent ink. Not verbal commitments. Not conference affiliations. Certainly not coaches. Foster loved the coaching staff at Auburn so much that his affection for the group played a major role in his decision to have the school's logo inked into his skin. But no amount of love can overcome 0-8 in the SEC.

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Any time a program changes coaches, the prospect of players transferring rises. 

And although athletic director Jay Jacobs said that at least one player told him after Sunday's meeting that all of the players would still be here, the reality is that some players will have tough choices to make in the weeks ahead. 

"It's going to be a challenge because people's minds go everywhere, 'Should I leave or should I stay,'" Auburn running back Tre Mason said. "I'm pretty sure people will probably stay and stick together as a family."

* * *

Long before Alabama 49, Auburn 0, official and unofficial Auburn power brokers were told during the past off-season that Gene Chizik’s football program was coming apart at the seams.

Some of the problems, like a number of arrests and behavior issues, were public and obvious. Others were readily apparent only to insiders, and several of them spoke to al.com on condition of anonymity.

Some players weren’t going to class. Others weren’t working out. What should have been mandatory workouts became optional, and the authority of head strength and conditioning coach Kevin Yoxall was severely undermined.

Chizik was informed of at least some of the issues, and he raised the academic issue with his assistant coaches at one point, but did the head coach really follow through or was he sending mixed signals?

* * *

"We will move as quickly as possible in the search for our next head coach," Jacobs said.

"We will be guided by the benchmarks we expect in the leader of our program. Those benchmarks are a track record as a proven winner, a commitment to playing within the rules, and student-athlete academic success."

The coaching search committee is Jacobs, Bo Jackson, Pat Sullivan and Mac Crawford. 

"This is a real, working committee and I’m proud to be part of this distinguished group," Jacobs said.

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Twas The Night Before The Iron Bowl: An Alabama Poem

By: @LivingCrimson

Twas the night before the Iron Bowl, and all through Auburn chests,
Not a hope was stirring, not even the barner obsessed.
Jonna Chizik's prayers were posted on Facebook with care,
In fear that St. Nicholas Lou Saban soon would glare.

When out in the media there arose such a clatter,
Coach Chiz sprang up from his scrapbooking to see what was the matter.
Away to the NCAA mailbox he flew like a flash,
Tore open the letters, and threw up a gasp.

Then, what to his watering eyes should appear,
But an NCAA array announcing "We're here."
More rapid than eagles the interviewers they came,
And he whistled for Pat Dye, and shouted, and called him names.

"Now Trovon, now Demetruce, now Jonathan Wallace,
tell them our recruiters left your academics spotless.
To the tops of Toomer's Oaks, to the top of Samford Hall,
now proclaim away, proclaim away, proclaim away all!"

And then in a twinkling he heard on his cell,
Jay Jacobs ringing, announcing his death knell,
The call was dress'd all in legalese and throughput,
And behold Chiz's contract pronounced ashes and soot.
So he ended the call, went to bed and slept not sound,
For to Tuscaloosa and the Iron Bowl the next day he was bound.

Out on the field St. Nick approached with a growl,
And Gene knew this would be no Tiger Prowl.
A wink of Saban's eye and a twist of his head,
And Chiz understood he had even more to dread.

Nick spoke not one word, but walked away with a smirk.
Then Alabama's defense lined up, all to work.
And giving a nod, Saban let loose the flood,
Of the Crimson Tide menace out for rivalry blood.

O'er 60 minutes they played like a team on a mission,
And the Tide sent the barners down the road to perdition.
Chiz heard Saban exclaim ‘ere he walked out of sight,
"Roll Tide to all, we made his ass quit … Aight."

SEC Media Days: Alabama’s Draft Media Guide Covers

By: @LivingCrimson

The official 2012 Alabama Media Guide covers are outstanding. But what about the discarded proposals the public never sees?

A former employee of Bryant-Denny Stadium (and a big fan of the song “Take the Money and Run”) was kind enough to send us the alternative Tide covers, which were summarily rejected by the University’s marketing department.

We’re not sure why these covers didn’t make the final cut. As reigning national champs and card-carrying members of the SEC Rivalry Cabal, we think they’re pretty spiffy.

Trent Richardson became the first Tide player to win the Doak Walker Award in a season highlighted by his inhuman evasion of the entire Ole Miss defense. Now Trent is preparing for his first NFL game, while two-sport Senquez Golson (who before last season turned down $1.4 million from the Boston Red Sox) readies for another season in purgatory as a Rebel Black Bear. **No ankles were permanently harmed in the making of this picture.**

Michael Dyer famously bragged before last year’s Iron Bowl: “This year we're not going to spot anybody 24. We're going to play Auburn football.” Alabama went to halftime with -- all together now -- 24 points, and went on to squash the everliving daylights out of Auburn with a final score of 42-14. Dyer is now an Arkansas State Red Wolf and may soon be transferring yet again. **One team reverted back to its tired old excuses in the making of this picture.**

In the rematch with LSU and with the National Championship on the line, the Alabama offense targeted CB “Honey Bragger” by throwing over his head and outplaying him physically. Tyrann Mathieu took to Twitter for his disappointed fans: “Can anyone bring up another game where you felt as if I was exposed beside the NC game! I didn't think so? That was one game, 4 catches 0TDs.” He left out the part about those catches making downs to set up field goals…and also being manhandled by Trent Richardson in the first Alabama vs. LSU game in Tuscaloosa. **One ego was crushed in the making of this picture.**

Alabama’s 14th national championship accompanied a 21-0 score in the Superdome on LSU’s home turf, the first ever shutout in BCS history. My LSU friend Carter “The Power” Bryant summed it up best:

“I could name more kinds of "Whoop-Ass" flavors the Crimson Tide opened up on January 9th than Bubba Blue could name kinds of shrimp in “Forrest Gump.” After the game, I saw the grounds crew of the Superdome having to scrub the chalk outlines of the LSU offensive line off the turf. Thank goodness the red confetti covered it quickly so it wouldn't be more evident.”

**One NFL career was thwarted in the making of this picture.**

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I’d love to see your farked up Bama media covers. Hit me up on Twitter or Facebook. Roll Tide!

Reports: Auburn commit Dee Liner arrested TWICE in 10 days

SCROLL DOWN FOR UPDATES

Numerous internet message board reports indicate that Auburn football 2013 commitment Dee Liner was arrested in Muscle Shoals on July 1, 2012. The reports are credible.

Another helmet tap for @BSBHVR2.

Here’s a link to the recent arrest reports.

A snapshot, just in case that gets scrubbed or scrolls off:

Note: That website (unlike many others) does not provide mugshot photos or place of residence for those arrested and booked into the facility.

Most of the time, “disorderly conduct” is fighting or being involved in an altercation of some sort, and obstructing government operations usually consists of giving a false name to police officers.

So, is “Davion Liner” the same guy as Dee Liner?

Looks like it.

When it comes to defensive line prospects in the Class of 2013 not many are better than Davion Liner (Muscle Shoals, Ala.).

Everyone calls him Dee and let’s just say the name fits.

“It’s really only a coincidence,” said Liner with a laugh. “My mom nicknamed me Dee before I was 5 years old. Looking at it now I guess it’s pretty appropriate.”

Liner is one of the state’s top prospects for the 2013 recruiting class and is currently committed to Auburn. Auburn officials cannot comment on Liner’s arrest because he has not signed a letter of intent and NCAA rules prohibit coaches and school officials from publicly discussing prospects.

UPDATE: Per WAFF-TV’s Nick Lough, Liner was arrested again last night, this time for criminal trespassing.

Per Lough:

On July 1 a female Muscle Shoals cop pulled a car over. While conducting the traffic stop Liner pulled up in a 2nd vehicle. Liner got out of the vehicle ran over to the officer and began screaming, cursing and throwing objects at the female officer. He yelled several things at the officer including “Let my f****** mother go. You’re not going to tell me what to do.” He was placed under arrest. His court date is set for August 23. All info is from court records.

Rivals.com’s Andrew Bone Tweeted this:

I spoke to five-star Dee Liner moments ago about his recent arrests, "I made some bad decisions, but everything is going to get better."

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Capital Murder charges pending against suspect in Auburn shooting

DO YOU KNOW THIS MAN?

Auburn-Opelika Police have obtained three capital murder warrants against Desmonte Leonard, age 22, of Montgomery in connection with last night’s deadly shooting at a apartment complex near Auburn University. The shooting left three dead—including former Auburn football players LaDarious Thomas and Ed Christian. Current Auburn lineman Eric Mack was also injured in the melee, but is being treated for what officials called “non life threatening injuries.”

Capital murder in the state of Alabama is defined as murder committed during the commission of another crime. It is punishable by either death or life in prison without parole.

Ed Christian was declared dead at the scene. LaDarious Thomas died of his injuries at the hospital. A third fatality was Demario Pitts. All three victims were 20 years old.

Pitts was apparently involved in what was described as an accidental shooting in March.

According to accounts, Leonard got into an altercation with attendees at a party in the University Heights complex. A fight ensued, and Leonard allegedly left, returned with a gun and began shooting at the party crowd.

Local, state and federal authorities are now in an “active manhunt” for Leonard, who police described as “armed and very dangerous.”

Auburn President Jay Gogue said in a statement “our attention is now focused on providing care and support to those touched by this tragedy."

Auburn football coach Gene Chizik said in a statement “This is a sad, sad day for everyone associated with the entire Auburn family. I am devastated by the passing of three young men."

UPDATE: Video of the Tommy Dawson press conference is below. Helmet tap to Leather Helmet Dawg.

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Reports: Three dead, two wounded in Auburn shooting (UPDATED)

Per Cole Cubelic, three have been killed and two have been wounded in a late Saturday night shooting. The incident occurred at an apartment complex near Auburn University. Numerous other social media accounts identify some of the casualties as current and/or former Auburn football players.

An Associated Press report indicates that a confrontation occurred near the entrance to the University Heights complex, and that a fight broke out as a group began arguing over a woman.

News of the altercation was first reported by the Auburn Plainsman.

Auburn-Opelika police are expected to hold a news conference at 11:00 am CDT.

Click here to read what is claimed to be a firsthand account of the scene during and immediately after the shooting occurred (WARNING: Foul language at the link).

UPDATE: Sources: One victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Two others were transported to East Alabama Medical Center and later died of their injuries. Another victim in critical condition was transported to Birmingham. A fifth victim was treated and released from EAMC.

Auburn University is expected to issue a statement later today.

UPDATE II: Charles Goldberg of al.com confirms that Ed Christian and LaDarius Phillips were killed in the incident. Both are former players. Eric Mack was injured but did not sustain life threatening injuries.

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This drives Auburn fans CRAZY

Alabama head football coach Nick Saban has his mug on the front page of the Mobile Press-Register’s Sports section. Saban was in Mobile as part of the Crimson Caravan tour, a series of seated dinner events scheduled around the southeast.

Saban was just in Mobile as a featured speaker for Team Focus’ Benefit Banquet on April 23, scarcely more than a week ago. The morning after, the Press-Register was splashed with a big assed headline and another big assed picture.

When Saban stopped in Mobile to check in on Senior Bowl practices last January, a similar chain of events happened.

This drives Auburn fans nuts, especially in the Mobile area. Despite the fact that the second largest metro area in the state is solidly Crimson, it wasn’t that long ago that Auburn got whoever they wanted when recruiting on the Gulf Coast.

Saban turned that around.

The 2011 BCS National Champions featured safety Mark Barron—an eventual first round pick in last week’s NFL Draft—and quarterback AJ McCarron. Both are native Mobilians. The 2012 edition of the Crimson Tide will include tailback sensation TJ Yeldon, a Daphne product who Saban famously flipped from Auburn in the last signing class.

By the way, Auburn coach Gene Chizik also had an interview with the media yesterday. He spoke with Birmingham’s 97.3 The Zone and spoke about quarterback expectations and recruiting linebackers. That story also made the front page.

It was below the fold, accompanied by a photo roughly half the size of the one you see above.

If recent history is any indication, the next few days of Sound Off will be chock full of calls from irate Auburn fans, wailing and gnashing their teeth over perceived Bama bias on the part of the Press-Register.

The truth is that a Saban visit is BIG news in Mobile. Both the Team Focus and Crimson Caravan events were sold out. The Mobile Press-Register has the best (and oldest) sports section in the state. Coverage of both Alabama and Auburn news is about as unbiased as you’ll find anywhere and Sports Editor Randy Kennedy is a certifiable newshound. Go pick up a copy. It’s the best $1.00 you’ll spend all day. Better yet, call 251-219-5343 and subscribe.

You don’t want to miss the next time Saban’s mug dominates the front page, do you?

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Shon Coleman story inspires all

At IBleedCrimsonRed.com, we dislike Auburn. But we hate cancer so despite the fact that Shon Coleman will suit up in that awful, ugly orange and blue uniform this fall, the fact that he’s kicking cancer’s ass in the process inspires everyone. Including those of us who adore all things crimson.

The five star Olive Branch, MS offensive lineman signed with Auburn in 2010. Two months later, he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a form of cancer that can kill victims in as little as a few weeks after its onset.

If detected early—as was the case with Coleman—the cure rate is very high. He was treated at St. Jude Research Children's Hospital in Memphis, a facility founded by late entertainer Danny Thomas in 1962 and which leads the world in the treatment of pediatric and adolescent cancer treatment.

Coleman beat the disease and enrolled at Auburn in 2011, but doctors wouldn’t allow him to practice with the team until this spring.

“It was good to see him smile,” said head coach Gene Chizik. “He's extremely excited and I'm excited for him and his family. You talk about perseverance and commitment, he's worked extremely hard to get to this point. I'm very proud of him."

Every sports fan on the planet is proud of him, even those of us who will cheer against him when his Auburn Tigers go down in defeat at Bryant-Denny Stadium this November.

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High court drama developing in Antonio Goodwin Felonious Four case?

Yesterday, as jury selection was about to begin in Antonio Goodwin’s trial on armed robbery charges, defense attorney Lauryn Lauderdale filed motions to obtain specific drug testing information from Auburn University. In additional pre-trial maneuvering today, the school and the defense have reached an agreement in which the school will provide “certain general information” on its drug testing policies.

But the school has also agreed to provide to the court  individual data related to Goodwin and the other defendants in the case – Shaun Kitchens, Mike McNeil and Dakota Mosley – and potential state witnesses including DeAngelo Benton and former players Mike Dyer and Neiko Thorpe.

That information will only be released to the defense (and likely entered as evidence at trial) if the individual waives his right to confidentiality.

The state originally sought to quash Lauderdale’s subpoena, calling it a “fishing expedition.” The court was set to rule on the motion in hearings today, but the parties reached the agreement before arguments were to begin.

Lauderdale’s defense strategy is to have her client acquitted because of mental defect. While she has not said why she seeks the drug testing data, speculation is that if it shows what she thinks it does she’ll use the data in the attempt to show that her client was caught up in a culture of rampant drug abuse.

Lauderdale has also objected to the state’s actions with regards to Dyer and Thorpe, accusing the prosecution of trying to persuade them not to waive confidentiality.

“The state does not represent Neiko Thorpe. The state does not represent Mike Dyer,” she argued.

That prompted Lee County Circuit Court Judge Christopher Hughes to order prosecutors not to influence potential witnesses.

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Auburn’s Bo Jackson biking to Bama for tornado relief

By: LivingCrimson

This being a Crimson Tide blog, we usually can be found giving Auburn a very hard time. There’s a wee tiny sports feud in Alabama called the Iron Bowl, in case you haven’t heard.

Occasionally, though, along comes a show of character from the opposing camp that everyone can applaud. Enter one of sports all-time greats, Bo Jackson. The Heisman winner and #1 NFL draft pick is putting his considerable muscle behind a relief effort to benefit those in need after the April 2011 tornadoes in Alabama.

Beginning April 24th, 2012, Jackson will be cycling across the State of Alabama through towns and cities ravaged by the tornadoes, ending in Tuscaloosa on April 28th. He hopes to raise $1 million for the Governor's Emergency Relief Fund, which was established to help Alabamians with unmet recovery needs. A staggering $1.2 billion is still needed for the long-term recovery effort.

Sponsored by Nike, Trek and other industry leaders, Jackson also wants to refocus the nation’s spotlight on the continuing rebuilding efforts in the State. The federal government declared Alabama a Category 1 natural disaster ─ the same ranking given to the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina and the terrorism on 9/11 ─ but the vast scope of the tornado devastation is hard to understand without a visual impact. Jackson will video and photograph each area he travels through to remind us all that much work remains to be done.

Kudos to Bo Jackson for giving back to his home state.

 

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Donations to Jackson’s relief effort are handled through the United Way of Alabama here.

Bo Bikes for Bama is also accepting donations of $200 per each leg of the journey to ride along with Bo Jackson. Register and donate online here.

For Tuscaloosa relief efforts, donations to Tuscaloosa Habitat for Humanity can be made here.

Donations to the Nick and Terry Saban Foundation ─ Nick’s Kids 14 for 14 ─ can be made here.

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Some Auburn fans are very sensitive when it comes to Cracker Barrel’s shop inventory

A hilarious post is making the rounds on Auburn fan message boards this week. Apparently, a Cracker Barrel restaurant in Foley, Alabama (just north of Gulf Shores) offers lots of souvenirs of the Crimson flavored variety, but of the Orange and Blue… Not so much.

The fambly is not pleased, but this is nowhere near the first time the Auburn faithful have felt snubbed by businesses catering to a nearly two-to-one majority of Alabama fans in the state.

Perhaps you remember the boycott of Old Navy.

Remember when they went after Talk Show Host Paul Finebaum for comparing the Auburn program to a Ponzi scheme.

And don’t forget the infamous Bromberg brouhaha of several years ago.

There isn’t a more hypersensitive fan base in college sports.

Here’s the post:

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You guys are not going to believe a conversation that I had Sun afternoon in the Foley, AL Cracker Barrel. Quick backstory. My Mother was in this restaurant in Sept 2011 and noticed that they had a lot of turd paraphernalia but had not one item with AU on it. She asked the cashier about it and got a blank stare. She mentioned it to me in passing but I forgot about it since I wasn't there and assumed that she just over looked our stuff.

Back to this past Sunday. I spent this past weekend doing some renovation on our condo and my parents were in town to help me. They wanted to go to CB for dinner on Sun so away we went. My Mother immediately veers right as soon as we are in the restaurant and heads over to check out what they have in the store. I go on to my seat because I have completely forgotten about her previous discovery and don't typically do my shopping at CB.

Shortly she shows up at our table and announces once again that while they have tons of crap covered in crimson that they have nothing representing AU. I find this hard to believe and head over to check it out myself because I can't fathom that this is possible. I was wrong. They have a huge table devoted to the mouth breathers and nothing in the store AU related.

I ask our server to send the most senior manager that's working over to our table. I tell him that I have lost my luggage and that I'm looking to buy some clothes to replace mine but that I can only buy AU apparel. He grimmaces [sic] slightly and tells me that I am unfortunately out of luck because they don't carry AU items. I ask how that's possible and he shrugs and says that their Divisional Manager (Xxxx Yyyy) made the decision to carry nothing but turd stuff. He then proceeds to tell me that they have no less than half a doz people per day asking basically the same questions that I am. He says that they pass this on but that the DM refuses to budge. I am amazed that this has been allowed to continue.

How do you guys think we should respond to this as a group? We live in a society that doesn't even allow us to "target" terrorists for fear of offending someone and yet this CB idiot has made the decision to complete ignore our university and our fan base. I can't decide how I want to attack this issue but have every intention of making these idiots explain themselves. BTW, the number for CB is 800-333-9566 and the extension for Ms. Ross is …... Her boss according to data that I gathered at the Foley store is Xxxxxxxx Yyyy Zzzzzzz and her extension is ….. I would love to find some way to esacalate [sic] this to a level that would cost one of all of these morons their jobs [sic]. Thoughts from the board?

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UPDATE: We now have a photo of the grand display.

As you walk in the front door…

I think it looks wonderful. Helmet tap to Bamaroo.

 

Readers tell me that the same post is making rounds on other Auburn fan boards, including Inside the Auburn Tigers and The Bunker at AuburnSports.com.

A sampling of the reaction:

“As a onetime Baldwin County boy I can tell you Baldwin County is fairly full of Auburn fans and a lot of them are my kinfolks. Personally I will agree to boycott any restaurant that refuses to give Auburn equal coverage for merchandise / curios in their premises.”

…

“Ask her what that days special is. Act like you can't hear her and get her to lean in a little. Then, stab her repeatedly in the eye with a root beer stick candy.
Alternative: Watermelon stick candy.
After she collapses on the ground, violate her with a pecan log.
Alternative: Slinky
Finally, dump her corpse in the fire place.
Alternative: Checkers table.” [totally tongue in cheek, we hope]

…

“Just for grins, I rang ole Beth up to see how she handles customer service. Got her voice mail. We'll see if she calls. I mentioned something about a Cracker Barrel Jihad for effect. :)”

The next logical step is for the Never to Yield Foundation to mobilize the boycott apparatus and bludgeon the local Cracker Barrel restaurant into providing equal space for their beloved Auburn Tigers’ gear.

I leave you with this viral cartoon from last year, compliments of @banditref.

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Auburn fans trolled by Tyrik Rollison transfer rumor

On my word as a gentleman, I had nothing to do with this troll job. But I sure wish I’d thought of it.

Last night, former Auburn quarterback Tyrik Rollison (or someone posting as him) wrote the following on his Facebook page:

“Just got off the phone with Coach Chizik and I'm heading back to Auburn! He said I would have a chance to compete for the starting spot! This has been a crazy day, SO BLESSED #WAREAGLE”

Rollison was a promising QB prospect who signed with Auburn as part of their 2009 class, redshirted in his freshman year, then flamed out academically. He was suspended from the team prior to the 2010 Outback Bowl appearance and did not travel with them.

When Auburn signed Cam Newton in December 2009, Rollison transferred to Sam Houston State and then fell off the radar.

It’s no secret—Auburn needs a quarterback.

Rollison also has a history of announcing things on Facebook—he announced his transfer to Sam Houston on the social media website. So the stage was set for a masterful trolling job and Auburn fans fell for it. Twitter went ballistic with “woo hoos” and “welcome back” messages. Auburn message boards at Rivals, Scout and 247Sports erupted spectacularly, and were peppered with similar posts.

As others pointed out that Coach Chizik was out of the country on a mission trip, the Rollison troll updated his story:

“Its crazy I'm on top of the world right now. Coach Chizik took the time to call me this morning while he is overseas. So proud to back going back to the Plains. AUBURN Lets GO!”

And:

“Coach Chizik not just called me from overseas, but he used one of those phones that work on airplanes! WDE! I'm back!”

Of course, there’s no way for Rollison to transfer back to a FBS school from a FCS school like Sam Houston (ed. note: This may not be the case). Further, the date for early enrollment passed in January, so there’s no way Rollison could join the team and be eligible to participate in spring drills, even if someone worked a magic waiver to clear a path to the Plains.

UPDATE: A reader also points out that the purported phone conversation(s) may represent a violation of NCAA by-laws if certain conditions are not met:

13.1.1.3 Four-Year College Prospective Student-Athletes. An athletics staff member or other representative of the institution’s athletics interests shall not make contact with the student-athlete of another NCAA or NAIA four-year collegiate institution, directly or indirectly, without first obtaining the written permission of the first institution’s athletics director (or an athletics administrator designated by the athletics director) to do so, regardless of who makes the initial contact.

 

To be fair, almost any fan base would be susceptible to a well played troll job, and this one was very well played indeed. If a Trent Richardson troll suddenly tweeted that he’d spoken with Nick Saban about coming back for his senior year…

To Mr. Rollison (or whoever posted as him), well done, sir.

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FBI reportedly investigating an Auburn basketball point shaving scandal

Yahoo! Sports’ “Angel of Death” Charles Robinson dropped a bomb this afternoon, just as the SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament kicked off. According to his sources, the FBI is investigating Auburn’s Varez Ward as part of a federal point shaving probe.

Robinson broke the news via his Twitter account.

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Suspended Auburn University point guard Varez Ward is under investigation by federal authorities in an ongoing point-shaving probe, Yahoo! Sports has learned.

Three sources with knowledge of the case said the FBI has been investigating Ward since late February after he and guard Chris Denson were suspended by the Tigers prior to a Feb. 25 home game against Arkansas. Two sources said Denson was also questioned as part of the point-shaving investigation, but he was cleared of any wrongdoing and returned to the team after sitting out the loss to the Razorbacks. The sources said additional players have been questioned in the case about whether Ward – who has not been with the team since being suspended – attempted to enlist them in a possible scheme. The sources said at least two games are under scrutiny: a 68-50 loss to Alabama on Feb. 7 and a 56-53 loss to Arkansas on Jan. 25.

Messages left at the FBI’s field office in Auburn and divisional headquarters in Mobile were not returned. Auburn spokesperson Kirk Sampson did not return a call or text to his cell phone seeking comment. The NCAA also declined immediate comment. An email to Ward was not returned.

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Ward has been suspended since late February. Now we know the likely reason for the suspension, and wasn’t Barbee smart to hold out on his contract, insisting that he not be penalized for NCAA (or presumably other) investigations.

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Update: Auburn’s statement on the matter:

“Auburn officials were made aware of a rumor regarding an allegation two weeks ago and immediately reported it to the FBI, the NCAA and the SEC. Because of the nature of the allegation, Auburn is not in a position to make any further comment on the situation.”

Update: Charles Robinson speaks about his investigation with Craig Shemon. Click play to listen.

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Tommy Tuberville suit connected to Donnan Ponzi scheme?

Current Texas Tech and former Auburn head football coach Tommy Tuberville was named Friday in a $1.7 million lawsuit, alleging that he and another defendant defrauded investors.

Filed in US District Court in Montgomery, the complaint alleges that Tuberville and a partner, John David Stroud, “by use of means or instrumentalities of interstate commerce and by use of the United States
mails: (a) employed devices, schemes, and artifices to defraud Plaintiffs, (b) made untrue statements of material facts and omitted to state other material facts necessary in order to make the statements made, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and (c) engaged in acts, practices or courses of business which operated as a fraud and deceit upon Plaintiffs.”

The plaintiffs have demanded their money back, but federal regulators’ review of company accounts shows less than $3,500.

Where’d all that money go?

View the full complaint below.

UPDATE: In July 2011, former Georgia coach Jim Donnan was accused of running a Ponzi scheme. Among those said to have invested with Donnan’s enterprise:

Formed in March 2004, GLC Enterprises, as it was known then, attracted investments from several high-profile figures from the world of sport. Among them are former University of Oklahoma and Dallas Cowboys coach Barry Switzer; Virginia Tech football coach Frank Beamer; Texas State football coach Dennis Franchione; and Texas Tech football coach Tommy Tuberville.

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How does Gene Chizik not know whether Auburn signed single or multi-year scholarships? (UPDATED)

SCROLL DOWN FOR UPDATE.

During a 25-minute press conference yesterday, Auburn coach Gene Chizik discussed his 2012 signing class. During the Q&A he was asked if the recruits were offered one- or multi-year scholarships.

On if Auburn signed anyone to a multi-year scholarship...
"We signed everybody to the exact same scholarship."

Which is the one-year?
"Yes."

The university later said this was not true; that Auburn had followed the Southeastern Conference lead of Florida and had signed everyone to four year scholarships:

A tweet from Jay Tate from the Montgomery Advertiser:

Auburn now says it offered 4-year scholarships to today's signees -- sign one time and cannot have it revoked due to athletic performance.
— HABOTN (@HABOTN) February 1, 2012

How does the head coach of Auburn University not know what kind of scholarship his incoming class signed up for? Were his statements accurate? Did the university change the scholarship offer without his knowledge? More importantly, how might this have affected Auburn’s recruiting class?

Chizik lost out on several highly coveted athletes yesterday. Kwon Alexander, Ronald Darby, Eddie Goldman, Cordarrelle Patterson and Leonard Williams were all high on Auburn’s board but chose to sign elsewhere. Instead of closing with a bang yesterday, Chizik closed with a whimper. If Chizik didn’t know he could have been offering them cushy four-year deals to play with the Tigers, how many of those top recruits swing his way?

Recruiting is the lifeblood of college football. How and who you recruit to your program almost always translates to success on the field. Any advantage that could be used in the living rooms of top prospects is ruthlessly exploited.

There is a raging debate over whether offering four-year scholarships is a good idea or a bust. There are valid points on both sides and that’s a debate for another day.

But to have the head coach stand before the media during such a high profile press conference and flatly state that he and his staff recruited with one-year scholarship offers, only to have the university “clarify” his statement and claim that all were signed to four year deals is mind-boggling.

What’s going on over there? Surely the head coach isn’t this clueless.

UPDATE: Reader JDiddly23 has a valid question in the comment section: “won't this apply to ALL sports under Title IX and NCAA regulations?” It would seem like it would, and if I were a member of the 2011 signing class, I’d be more than a little interested in why the 2012 signees are so special. As mentioned above, there is a raging debate over the impacts of offering multi-year scholarships and the Title IX and equal treatment issues are two of the most important aspects of the debate.

UPDATE II: Via Jon Solomon of the Birmingham News: “Auburn coach Gene Chizik initially indicated he offered all one-year renewable scholarships this year. An athletics department spokesman later clarified that Auburn provided five-year scholarships.”

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Alabama leads in commitments from Press-Register Elite 18

With seven commitments, including five of the Top 10, the Alabama Crimson Tide leads in recruiting the best of the best from the state of Alabama.

The Tide commitments are No. 2 T.J. Yeldon, No. 4 Reggie Ragland, No. 5 Ryan Anderson, No. 6 Tyler Hayes, No. 10 Alphonse Taylor, No. 12 Darius Philon and No. 16 Darren Lake.

Check out the complete list here.

Auburn is next with four commitments and Florida State has three. In a somewhat surprising year, LSU has no commitments from a state from which they normally pull at least one or two quality prospects.

The list is heavy on linebackers in 2012, with six of the 18 at the position. Alabama has commitments from three of them. Two will be Auburn Tigers and one—Oxford's Kwon Alexander—is uncommitted. Alexander has taken visits to Alabama, Auburn, LSU and Florida State.

The No. 1 overall prospect is Hueytown’s Jameis Winston. Winston is verbally committed to Florida State, but several other schools are pushing hard and Winston is considered a “soft verbal” to the Seminoles.

Alabama has a nearly consensus No. 1 recruiting class developing but should it secure the football talents of Alexander and Winston, the Tide would have hauled in one-half of the cream of the state’s crop.

National Signing Day is Wednesday, February 1. Verbal commitments are nonbinding.

On Sunday, the Press-Register will release the Super Southeast 120, covering prospects throughout the fertile Southeastern Conference recruiting turf.

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