My thoughts-Auburn survives Alabama, 28-27

A pumped up Gene Chizik is riding high into the SEC Championship game, Glendale is a calling!

• Cam Newton is phenomenal. There aren’t enough adjectives to describe what he has done this season.
• Is there any question that Auburn is the No. 1 team in the nation?
• He had a tough time sledding against the ‘Bama defense. Defensive coordinator Kirby Smart and Nick Saban must have looked at what LSU did wrong on defense to slow down Newton; he only had 22 carries for 39 yards, a career low that will last for a long time.
• Alabama is still a good team, even though they only mustered a pathetic three points from their last scoring drive in the second quarter; they finished the second half with only 55 yards of production.
• Greg McElroy could do no wrong in the first half of the game, especially the first quarter. He ended the day 27-37, 377, 2TDs, a 199 yards of that total was thrown to wideout Julio Jones.
• Jones is really spectacular, but I still give the edge to South Carolina wide receiver Alshon Jeffrey.
• Alabama needs to be more balanced on offense. If one thing is working, they stick with it. And in this game it was the passing game, where was Ingram and Richardson? They both combined for only 20 touches, not enough since the running game is your bread and butter. No one wants to admit it, but the offensive line has been widely inconsistent this season.
• Shame on Ingram for erasing either a touchdown or three points by allowing the ball to be punched out of his arms for a touchback. Also the butterfingers award should be given to Richardson who dropped an easy touchdown catch. More mental errors from this Nick Saban-coached team.
• Do you think McElroy being knocked out in the fourth quarter cost them the game? I don’t think so. Even if he was in and took the lead; it would have been another thrilling comeback victory by Newton and Co.
• For all the flak that Auburn’s defense gets, they continue to make plays when needed in the second half of games. In no shape or form are they as dominant in the second half like Oregon’s defense but they get it done. And against stiffer competition than the Ducks.
• Is there an award for the most comebacks in a season?
• Gene Chizik should be the Coach of the Year and Gus Malzahn has to be the best offensive coordinator in the nation.
• Cam Newton can be a pro quarterback, but he will need to work on his footwork, first and foremost.
• Would you believe that Alabama would have lost three games this season? Not me, I thought after their uplifting win at Arkansas that they would go unscathed in the brutal Southeastern conference. Boy was I wrong on that one.
• The Heisman is Newton’s to lose.
• Steve Spurrier is lurking around the corner in the SEC title game, a familiar foe that the Tigers met in Week 4: A different South Carolina team that is playing with a hunger and also a stronger Auburn team too.

My Top Ten Teams

Who will hoist the crystal trophy?

1. Auburn-Heading into a big game (Iron Bowl) against Alabama, the allegations and news surrounding QB Cam Newton has quieted and this is much needed for the Tigers. Newton is the most valuable player this season and a win here would surely lock up the Heisman.

2. Oregon Ducks-A very high-powered offense that goes full throttle all the time. They are No.2 in total offense (542.20) in the nation. This offense can be slowed down, and Tennessee did it for one half and Cal did it all game long. If the Ducks and the Tigers win out, look for a very enjoyable BCS title game, where defense will be optional.

3. Boise State-What can be said about this feisty team that is constantly fighting to be recognized. They continue to get it done on the field on both sides of the ball; even though, I feel that they are lacking in quality opponents on their schedule, they deserve a shot at the national title. Give them a chance; let’s see what they prove to the nation. And then hopefully in the next two years we will get a plus-one format that will seed the top four teams, and hopefully this will quiet the critics of the BCS, but is anyone ever satisfied??

4. TCU-Who would have guessed this season that TCU would be the best team out of the state of Texas. Yeah you read that right, no Longhorn sighting this season as Mack Brown’s team continues to sink to the bottom of the ocean. The Horned Frogs are the No. 1 team on defense and No. 9 on offense: they are balanced team that has put up a lot of points and shutdown opponents as well. It’s a heated, neck-and-neck race between them and Boise for who gets in the national title game if Auburn or Oregon falls. Both teams won’t sniff a BCS game but one will end up in the Rose Bowl as a consolation prize, which isn’t so bad.

5. LSU-Probably the best one-loss team in the nation. I know people will argue the fact, but you cannot find fault with a team that has only one loss in the SEC. Yes, people will mention the fluky wins over Tennessee and Florida but the win against Alabama is a darn good one. Couple that with the maturity of QB Jordan Jefferson, who looks like a new quarterback, and is showing confidence in his throws and designed runs. If Jefferson keeps this up, they will beat Arkansas this upcoming week. However, they cannot get to the national title this year with Boise and TCU undefeated, and the other one-loss teams in the rear view mirror and the fact they did not win their conference, so the voters will not let them into the national title game.

6. Stanford-You cannot deny this Pac-10 team some recognition, whose only loss came to the No. 1 ranked Oregon Ducks, a game where they had a good lead but could not hold on for the win. They have good coaching and probably the best pure passer (Andrew Luck) in the league that will make a big splash when he decides to head for the NFL. Coach Harbaugh has instilled a never-die attitude in these scholars of Palo Alto. I thought there would be a major setback with running back Toby Gerhart gone for greener pastures, and the league having more tape on Luck to figure out his weaknesses but this was not the case. No longer can you think of the Cardinal bunch as a group of geeks; they are winning now and looking very good at it.

7. Wisconsin-Good quarterback play that is set up by a solid running game. This team has lived up to its expectations finally. I have been waiting for this team to step up since ’07 and now it seems they have everything figured out. Much kudos to Coach Brett Bielema for a good season.

8. Oklahoma State-The Bedlam showdown with the Oklahoma Sooners, Saturday, will determine who represents the South in Big 12 Championship game. First year starter Brandon Weeden has thrown for an amazing 3,780 with 30 touchdowns to 10 interceptions. His main target is wide receiver Justin Blackmon (Biletnikoff finalist and likely winner) who has 1,560 and 17 touchdowns; this kid is amazing: his speed and physicality and good hands have made him a wet dream for NFL scouts. The Cowboys has the most explosive offense besides Oregon and Auburn. The Sooners better have that defense ready.

9. Alabama-the defending National Champs will not get a chance to repeat with two losses on the season. However, if they knock off their heated rival No. 2 ranked Auburn in the Iron Bowl that could go a long way for this squad for next season. The Crimson Tide’s running game has all but disappeared due to inconsistent play on the offensive line, and Greg McEleroy has played OK this season but not great. I think the offense needs to reinvent itself; you have to find ways to move the ball and put up six points on the board, field goals won’t do.

10. Ohio State-Terrelle Pryor’s comeback win against Iowa last week was a big win. Coach Tressel let Pryor loose a bit and it showed with him running with conviction and making the necessary throws for his team to win. If only we could get a full, consistent game from Pryor then we can give him the kudos he deserves and he can finally live up to the hype surrounding him coming to Columbus. I don’t see Wisconsin losing this weekend, so the Buckeyes will get their share of the Big Ten Title but the Badgers will go on to play in the Rose Bowl.

They did it: South Carolina goes to their first ever SEC Championship game behind the legs of freshman running back Marcus Lattimore, 36-14

Steve Spurrier is on his way to the SEC Championship game

It wasn’t exciting but no one expected it; no one thought the inconsistent and often manic Gamecocks could knock off the Florida Gators in the swamp but they did. Steve Spurrier got his signature win as head coach --going to their first ever SEC title game and downing the Gators at home (for the first time)--which they never done.

South Carolina was intent on running the ball down Florida’s throat, and they did so with freshman running back Marcus Lattimore, a home-grown talent, to the tune of 40 carries, 212 yards with 3 TDs. Mistake-free football was on the agenda last Saturday night in the Swamp.

QB Stephen Garcia was a modest, albeit unimpressive 15-26, 156 yards, O TDS, O INTs.  All the staff has asked of Garcia is that he does not turn the ball over and that is what he did; his partner in crime, wideout Alshon Jeffrey had no TDs on the night and only had 53 yards receiving, something you would not expect from the best wide receiver in the SEC or the nation, for that matter.

Spurrier could not ask for a better performance from the offense and defense, and especially from Lattimore that has exceeded expectations since his first snap. Who would have thought that Spurrier would have a freshman standout at running back?!  He is known for having and grooming superb quarterbacks, but Lattimore has fallen into his lap and he is willing to ride this kid to a victory in the SEC Championship game.

But I’m here to caution that they cannot beat Auburn in the title game with just running the ball and not passing for more than Garcia did. It will not happen. The Tigers will put up a bunch of points on the scoreboard and will continue until the final whistle. We all know that special player, Cam Newton; he is on a tear this season and he has one victory over South Carolina and he is looking for another one that will bring his team closer to Glendale.

Will Marcus Lattimore be healthy when they face Auburn?

It’s scary to think that Lattimore had 40 carries in the last game. This kid has been nicked up and I can already tell that he will continue to play his career at not a hundred percent. He runs hard and he is a north-south runner and that is fine. However, his style of running and the number of carries will cause him to wear down when they need him. Watching him in high school, ball security was a problem whenever he was over-utilized in a game and so far it has not been an issue, but it might if they continue to run him into the ground.

The Gamecocks have two more games left, Troy at home and @Clemson (their rival). It will be interesting to see how Lattimore is used in those games. You do not want him limping into the SEC title game because that will be a big problem. For South Carolina to flourish they need to open up all facets of their offense, this will make this team unstoppable like they were against then No. 1 Alabama.

Going forward to next season, it will be trying times (for South Carolina) where the departure of Garcia, at quarterback, and the insertion of Connor Shaw, will challenge the staff to not overuse Lattimore with a young quarterback. They will need to find ways to keep him fresh since they will have to rely heavily on the run game with a green quarterback behind center. I’m curious to see if Lattimore will be healthy come his junior year and if the wheels will fall off this wagon.

For now the future is bright for Spurrier and he has a huge game with Clemson and the title game to prepare for. He wanted to play close to the vest against Florida (and it worked) but how will this offense look against Clemson and Auburn? Will being conservative get this program a much needed win over Clemson and a much bigger win against Auburn?

Auburn downs Georgia behind the performance of Cam Newton, 49-31

I do not know what to say, or even how to express how enamored, awestruck, and baffled at Cam Newton. This kid is special, no one knew he would be this special, but I bet Gene Chizik and his staff would tell you they did. I crown Auburn as the best team in the nation, with Oregon escaping a scare against Cal (15-13); there is no doubt in my mind that the Tigers are the crème de la crème.

With all the swirling allegations about the recruitment of Newton to Mississippi State, Newton got it done on Saturday which he has been doing for eleven weeks now. Yeah, people are going to start piping up about Auburn’s luxury of home games this season, not playing defense, and they have to go to Tuscaloosa to play a pretty good Alabama team but for Newton it’s no sweat.

Cam Newton deserves Ric Flair's robe and heavyweight title

Players respond differently to adversity, some fold under the pressure and others rise to the occasion and that is what Newton did and his teammates. Newton made some NFL-type throws on a rope that were beautiful. He was playing with an angry streak, showing the doubters that he is unaffected by all this mess and hubris surrounding him. If there is one thing I know is that you do not want to play against a pissed off Newton, that’s for sure. The Crimson Tide better hope there is no damning reports coming out in the next ten days leading up to their Nov. 26^th showdown.

I’m usually level headed, but I say to hell with defense just score. And that is why I say Auburn will beat Alabama. Make it a track meet and watch the Tigers sink ‘Bama. There is a growing fear that if Newton touches the ball, they are going to score. So all those analysts can talk about Nick Saban telling his boys to run the ball (what running game, I say) and control the clock, but every time you turn it over, Auburn will score. You cannot kick field goals to beat this team and if the Crimson Tide is going to wait for the second half to wake up and game plan against the Tigers it will be too late.

This is Newton’s year (eighth player in FBS history to have 1,000 yards rushing and 2,000 yards passing), and he will seize the opportunity. I know earlier in the season, I compared Newton to Terrelle Pryor and forgive me for that. I had water on my brain. For the record, Pryor wishes he had Newton’s ability. Pryor should be utilizing his size (6’6, 233) in a better manner: bowl over defenders, stiff arm them, and show some true grit! Until Pryor shows urgency at the quarterback position, Ohio State will not play for the national title.

 Newton plays with fervor and moxie that Pryor does not show on Saturdays.  To be a star athlete you got to have a nasty streak and you got leave it all on the field, every time you step out there or why bother lacing up the boots. Newton has that mercurial touch and hopefully instead of turning things to gold, he can make a crystal trophy appear in his hands.

So Kirby Smart and Saban better be ready, bring all your powerful weapons because Auburn will be ready this time and it will be in their favor.  And Alabama’s offensive line better be ready for DT Nick Fairley and friends because they will be coming for blood. 

My Two Cents (11/12)-What is wrong with Alabama?

The Alabama Crimson Tide will not repeat as national champions; this season will not shape out like 2007 where a two-loss team gets into the national title game. With Boise and TCU still undefeated, one of them will certainly (I can hear Lee Corso saying, “Not so fast”) get the nod to play for the national title if Oregon or Auburn lose, over a one-loss or two-loss team.  However, if Oregon and Auburn remain undefeated then all bets are off for the two Non-AQ teams.

This year the running game has yet to get on track, who
are you looking at/for? We are looking for  you, Mr. Ingram.

With two losses on the season, Nick Saban can rally the troops for one last hurray with a win over Auburn in the Iron Bowl. I think the nation and me included have been spoiled by the running game with Mark Ingram (former Heisman winner), Trent Richardson along with impact wide receiver Julio Jones and QB Greg McElroy. I really thought that Richardson was going to trump Ingram in production and have the nation talking Heisman but it has not panned out that way.

After Alabama’s come from behind win at Arkansas, I stated that they would not lose another game all season long. I just did not see it and strongly believed it. They showed much resolve being behind and not panicking and that is a testament to the players and Saban and his staff. However, South Carolina made it look too easy jumping out to a large lead and holding the Crimson Tide at bay for the win. I really think the game in Fayetteville, AR took a lot out of ‘Bama, physically and mentally they were drained. Think about it, a team trying to repeat as national champion; the amount of pressure and scrutiny from the press is insurmountable. But who does not believe in Saban and how he has his guys dialed in like are a platoon ready to storm the coast.

Staying on top in any sport involves luck to some degree; you have to have a nugget of it while going through the weekly grind of games, meetings and practices. A two-loss Alabama team is not the end of the world for the people in Tuscaloosa, but they want more and deserve that much. The problem lies in the offensive line, which is not getting the push and is not dominant like last season, And a very green secondary is also the problem. Gamecock wideout Alshon Jeffrey (who I believe is the best in the SEC) made them look silly in their Oct. 9^th showdown, pulling in 127 yards on seven catches, yikes!!!

The young defense is not as formidable like the veteran-led squad from last year. The secondary needs some time under their belt to gain confidence and experience. Teams now know that they need to bomb away on the secondary and you will find success. And what is so important in football is making tackles, playing the ball (as a defender) and playing smart (no costly penalties); not doing any of these things can lead to six points or change field position. It really is vital that players stick to their assignment.

Nick Saban is a very good coach and approaches his craft like Bill Belichick (of the Patriots) with determination and focus. But anyone can be out coached and schemed; no one is exempt from that. So yes, Les Miles got one up on Saban and his crew and Steve Spurrier with his athletes put it to them. But it still remains that Saban is a good coach and his track record speaks for itself and his players buy into him. Without a good running game, the pass cannot be set up and vice versa. A decent quarterback will be good if he has a good running game, for this will set up play-action passes and open up passes to the flats and underneath.  No one can say that McElroy is a game-manger at the quarterback position (maybe that was true last year); this year you can see his level of maturity and knowledge of the offense.

The Crimson Tide need to find ways to resurrect their running game, get better offensive-line play, spruce up the play-calling on offense (use some trick or gadget plays), take some risks and hopefully than can flourish. Consistency is the key with this squad and playing hungry.