The NCAA has finally officially exonerated Cam Newton and the Auburn Tigers following the investigation surrounding the alleged pay for play scandal involving Newton's father, Cecil. In the 13 month investigation, the NCAA says it conducted over 80 interviews, reviewed all bank account records, IRS tax documents, email and phone call messages, and found no evidence to conclude either Cam Newton or Auburn was involved in a pay for play scandal.There are a lot of idiots that need to eat crow for blowing this call. The haters were promising doom and gloom would come to the Tigers because "they knew without a doubt" Cam and Auburn had cheated even though they had no evidence.The NCAA Statement to Auburn's Athletic Director Jay Jacobs states "The NCAA enforcement staff is committed to a fair and thorough investigative process. As such, any allegations of major rules violations must meet a burden of proof, which is a higher standard than rampant public speculation online and in the media." In other words, everything that has been rumored was complete nonsense and there was no evidence to collaborate any of the claims that have been swirling around.The troubling part of this entire situation is how supposed "journalists" ran with unsubstantiated innuendo. Message board rumors were treated as facts by those that actually went to school and were hopefully taught at some point how to thoroughly vet a claim before publishing it as fact.Anyways, I'm not going to keep rambling on this, but I do think Cam and the Auburn family are owed an apology by several media pundits including but not limited to Thayer Evans, Joe Schad, Paul Finebaum, and Danny Sheridon. There are many others, but those four seemed to really harp on the issue and do their best at spreading each and every rumor that originated from anywhere. If they have the moxie to wrongfully accuse a college student and a University of cheating, they should at least have the class to apologize.NCAA clears Cam Newton and Auburn Are they owed an apology?
The Auburn Tigers defense is terrible. We aren't getting any push from our interior DT's, we are missing tackles, we can't stop teams on third down, we aren't getting turnovers, we aren't getting pressure, and we aren't making any adjustments. In our first three weeks, we have given up 624 yards (238 on the ground), 531 yards (333 on the ground, and 448 yards (227 on the ground). The Tigers defense has allowed 35 of 55 third down conversions, or 64%. The Clemson Tigers were even able to convert ten third downs in a row. I can go on forever with terrible statistic after terrible statistic attached to our defense.It is clear that some changes need to be made, but what? Below are several people have been discussing:Defensive Line - they are just unable to get any push or get off blocks. They are very young and lack experience. There is nothing we can do for that, but we do need to figure out who are our best and have them in the game at critical moments. Getting off the Field on Third Down - simply put, we have to make coaching adjustments. We seem to play such a soft zone and give the receivers such a cushion that we are beating ourselves. By the time the db, that is 7 yards down the field away from the receiver, gets there, they already have the first down. We need to tighten up the coverage and challenge the receivers at the line and challenge the ball in the air.Pass Rush - we basically have none, at least none from our front four. We have to start bringing blitzes. Even if we had descent coverage on their receivers, opponents quarterbacks have still converted on third because they've had all the time in the world to wait until someone finally gets open. We have to end this and bring the heat from all over the field.Coaching - Coach Chizik needs to be more involved and hands on with the defense, something he hinted at in his post game Q and A's. Coach Roof also needs to make some adjustments, as he acknowledged following the Clemson debacle that he was it fault. Coach Roof said he's "responsible for this. I have to go back and evaluate everything, including myself - what I’m doing, what we’re doing. That’s all I know to do"Linebackers - We need to make a change in personal. The guys we have been playing haven't been getting it done. They have repeatedly missed tackles, taken bad angles, and missed their assignment - this, of course, can be said about our entire defense. Make Defensive Coaching Changes - I'm only putting this on here because I've seen it posted all over message boards to fire Ted Roof. I think it is too early to really consider such a move. Furthermore, we all know how make a coaching change mid-season ends...see 2008 Coach Franklin and Coach Tubberville debacle. Therefore, we don't need to make such considerations until after the season, if at all. It is important to note, our defense has consistently become worse in each year Roof has been the defensive coordinator.Slow Down the Offense - our defense is very young at every position. We have an excellent run game with one of the best, if not the best, running backs in the nation. We need to start pounding it 25 to 30 times with Dyer. He is our best player and is reliable to get the job done. He had 151 yards on 16 carries for two touchdowns against Clemson. He was unstoppable. He can be used as a clock eater. Run it with him and then eat the play clock and do it again and get a few first downs this way. This will allow your defense to actually rest.Well, these are just a few suggestions that I have seen around the net. What Changes do you think need to be made? Changes in all seven areas mentioned or changes in only one or two areas? I'm only giving individual options, an option for all the above, and an option for all of the above except firing Ted Roof. If you think it is a combo of the suggestions or if you have your own ideas on what we need to change, please leave a comment and let me know what you think.
In the last two weeks against the USC Gamecocks and Arkansas Razorbacks, the Auburn Tigers struggled to get in rhythm on offense. The Tigers offense was made one dimensional. They were able to run the ball, but were completely incapable of moving the ball down the field through the air to keep the opposing defenses honest. Following the Arkansas loss, it appeared Auburn would enter practice this week with a quarterback controversy. Starting quarterback Barrett Trotter has steadily struggled more and more each week this season. Against the Hawgs, he only completed 6 of 19 passes (31.6 CMP%) for 81 yards, no touchdowns and one interception. However, Coach Gene Chizik squashed all innuendo about who will be starting this weekend by unequivocally supporting and stating he is sticking with Trotter and is not considering making the change to true freshman Khiel Frazier. Part of Trotter's struggles can be attributed to a lack of depth at the wide receiver position after two players, Shaun Kitchens and Antonio Goodwin, were kicked off the team in the off-season. Auburn's current top two wide receivers, Emory Blake and Travon Reed, were injured last week for the Arkansas game and it is uncertain whether they will play against the Gators or not. Trotter has also not received any help from the WR's filling in. They dropped five passes against Arkansas. There is no excuse for WR's at this level to drop balls that hit them between the numbers, but that is exactly what Auburn receivers have done the last few weeks. DeAngelo Benton and Travonte Stallworth really need to step it up this game to compliment the rushing game led by Michael Dyer and Ontario McCalebb. Dyer is fully capable of carrying this team, but it is impossible for him to do so if defenses have zero fears of Auburn's passing game. If this is the case against the Gators, they will load the box and are capable of stopping a one dimensional running offense. Jordan-Hare Stadium at Night in Auburn, ALThe Gators come into Jordan-Hare Stadium with the 11th ranked team in total defense, but are struggling even more than Auburn on the offensive side of the ball. The Gators starting quarterback, Jonathon Brantley, was injured two weeks ago against the Alabama Crimson Tide and will miss his second game in a row. To add insult to injury, the Gators backup quarterback, Jeff Driskel, is also injured. Coach Will Muschamp says it is a game time decision as to whether Driskel will be able to go or if 3rd string quarterback, Jacoby Brissett, will get the start. The Gators will most likely look to rely on their versatile running backs, Jeffrey Demps and Chris Rainey, to carry the load and take some of the pressure off either of the young quarterbacks. The two were wrecking havoc on defenses until they faced LSU and Alabama. Fortunately for them, while Auburn's defense has steadily been getting better, it is nowhere close to on par with those other two teams. However, the Tigers will try to make Florida beat them through the air like they did South Carolina two weeks ago. They were able to completely shut down Marcus Lattimore by loading the box, but Stephen Garcia was incapable of making them pay for it. Florida is favored by 1.5 points. For the Tigers to win this game, they must be able to stop the Gators rushing attack and get more offensive production from the passing game. Their special teams play, which has been stellar all season, will need to once again help the Tigers control field position. If they can do all these things and avoid turnovers and penalties, they should be in a position to win this game. Florida vs Auburn Can the Tigers offense improve enough to beat the Gators?
In the final weekend of the regular 2011 college football season, the #2 Alabama Crimson Tide will travel to Auburn, AL to play the #24 Auburn Tigers in the 76th Iron Bowl. Currently, Alabama leads the series 40-34-1. In the last two years, Alabama and Auburn have both had Heisman Trophy winners and both won the BCS National Championship. Mark Ingram won the Heisman in 2009, leading the Tide in winning the BCS National Championship Game. Cam Newton won Auburn's third Heisman Trophy in 2010, as he led the Tigers to a BCS National Championship. This year, Alabama is in position to play for another BCS Championship, and the Tide's running back, Trent Richardson, is up for the Heisman Trophy. Richardson will need to have a huge game in the Iron Bowl in order to help lock the Heisman Trophy Award. Auburn would love nothing more than to shut him down.Alabama is the better team, but the game is being played in Jordan Hare Stadium. Personally, I think Auburn can pull the upset because Alabama's offense is terrible. If the Tigers are able to block and create lanes for running back Michael Dyer and create turnovers, then they have a shot. What do you think?Auburn vs Alabama: Can the Tigers upset the Tide in the Iron Bowl?
Update - Game SummaryFinal Score - 16 Auburn Tigers 13 South Carolina Gamecocks - The game between the Tigers and the Gamecocks turned was a defensive showdown with both defenses creating several turnovers. Both quarterbacks played horrible. Stephen Garcia Statistics vs Auburn - completed only 9 passes out of 23 attempts (39.1 CMP%) for 160 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. He was also sacked three times. Garcia's quarterback rating was a 94.5 on the day.Barrett Trotter Statistics vs USC - completed only 12 passes in 23 attempts (52.2 CMP%) for 112 yards, 1 touchdown and two interceptions. He was also sacked four times. Trotter's quarterback rating was a 90.0 on the day.Trotter gets the nod as having performed better because when it mattered most, he stood tall in the pocket and hit Phillip Lutzenkirchen for a touchdown with less than two minutes left in the game before getting rocked by South Carolina's defensive line. Auburn's Michael Dyer had a better day than USC's Marcus LattimoreMichael Dyer's Statistics vs USC - 41 rushing attempts for 141 yards; 3.4 yard average; one touchdown; 18 yard longMarcus Lattimore Statistics vs Auburn - 17 rushing attempts for 66 yards; 3.9 yard average; one touchdown; two fumbles, one lost; 15 yard longAuburn vs South Carolina Game Statistics1st Downs: 22 AU - 13 USCTotal Yards: 358 AU - 289 USCPassing: 112 AU - 160 USCRushing: 246 AU - 129 USCPenalties: 5 for 55 yards AU - 7 for 55 yards USC3rd Down Conversions: 11 for 22 AU - 2 for 10 USCTurnovers: 4 AU - 4 USCEnd UpdateLast year, Michael Dyer and the Auburn Tigers beat the South Carolina Gamecocks and kept Marcus Lattimore in check twice, once during the regular season and again in the SEC Championship game. Dyer racked up 100 yards on 23 carries versus Lattimore's 33 yards on 14 carries in the first game, but Lattimore out-gained Dyer with 84 yards off 16 carries to 64 yards off 14 carries in the second, respectively. In the 2010 recruiting rankings, Lattimore and Dyer were ranked either the top back or the second back in the nation, depending on the service providing the rankings. The two nearly attended Auburn University together, but Lattimore had a change of heart in the final week of recruiting and chose the Gamecocks.Marcus Lattimore 2011 Season Statistics - 107 rushing attempts; 611 yards rushing; 5.7 yard average per carry; 36 yard long; 8 touchdowns Marcus Lattimore 2010 Season Statistics - 249 rushing attempts; 1197 yards rushing; 4.8 yard average per carry; 58 yard long; 17 touchdowns Michael Dyer 2011 Season Statistics - 62 rushing attempts; 426 yards rushing; 6.9 yard average per carry; 52 yard long; 6 touchdownsMichael Dyer 2010 Season Statistics - 182 rushing attempts; 1093 yards rushing; 6.0 yard average per carry; 38 yard long; 5 touchdownsAs bad as I would like to see Dyer have the better game, Auburn's rushing defense has been pathetic this season. It is ranked 112th and gives up an average of 227 yards per game. The Tigers have given up over 200 yards in three of four games, including over 300 to Mississippi State, and they have yet to face a running back as talented as Lattimore, currently second in the nation. The good news for the Tigers, however, is South Carolina has faced a much weaker schedule and is ranked 60th in rushing defense and gives up 137.37 yards per game. As for Dyer, Georgia's true freshman running back, Isaiah Crowell, was able to carve the Gamecocks defense for 118 yards on 16 carries. The Tigers plan is to make quarterback Stephen Garcia beat them. South Carolina's passing game has been terrible, even with wide receiver Alshon Jeffery. Thus, Auburn will stack the box to stop the run, and try to force the Gamecocks to have to throw the ball to win the game. Unlike the Gamecocks, Auburn's offense is more balanced. If the Gamecocks attempt to load the box and stop Dyer, Barrett Trotter is capable of burning them deep. Auburn receiver Emory Blake is an emerging star having scored a touchdown in eight straight Tigers games. So far this season he has 137 receiving yards on 16 receptions (19.8 yard average per reception) for four touchdowns and a long of 53 yards.USC will have to account for him at all times. Another advantage Auburn will have is in the kick-off return game. True freshman running back, Tre Mason, has been a stud this year with 411 yards on 14 kick-off returns for a long of 97 yards and one touchdown. His reputation as a threat of housing a kick every time he gets a chance led FAU to squib kick all game. Lets hope South Carolina chooses to kick to him!Anyways, this is the third time Dyer and Lattimore will face off. The personal battle is one to one, but Auburn has won both match-ups! What will happen in Round 3? Will Dyer out-perform Lattimore in a Tigers victory, or will Lattimore have a better day in the first win for the Gamecocks over Auburn since 1933?
Stephen Garcia Statistics vs Auburn - completed only 9 passes out of 23 attempts (39.1 CMP%) for 160 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. He was also sacked three times. Garcia's quarterback rating was a 94.5 on the day.Barrett Trotter Statistics vs USC - completed only 12 passes in 23 attempts (52.2 CMP%) for 112 yards, 1 touchdown and two interceptions. He was also sacked four times. Trotter's quarterback rating was a 90.0 on the day.
Michael Dyer's Statistics vs USC - 41 rushing attempts for 141 yards; 3.4 yard average; one touchdown; 18 yard longMarcus Lattimore Statistics vs Auburn - 17 rushing attempts for 66 yards; 3.9 yard average; one touchdown; two fumbles, one lost; 15 yard long
Following another embarrassing beatdown to a conference rival this season against the Georgia Bulldogs, the Auburn Tigers fans and media want Head Coach Gene Chizik to fire defensive coordinator Ted Roof. In each of Roof's three seasons as the DC at Auburn, the Tigers defense has progressively gotten worse. Often the players on the field look unprepared and lost. Auburn has a lot of talent on their team, and therefore there is no excuse for their defense to be ranked 86th in Total Defense, 97th in Rushing Defense, and 87th in Pass Efficiency Defense. The young team excuse is no longer acceptable because this team is not improving. In fact, they may be getting worse. It is true that they are young, and therefore most Auburn fans don't have irrational expectations. However, we do expect to see an improvement in their performance throughout the season. This has not been the case this year. Personally, I think it is time for him to go, but what do you think?Should Auburn Fire Ted Roof?
In week 6 against the Florida Gators, Clint Moseley entered the game for Barrett Trotter in the second half and seemed to provide a spark for the Auburn Tigers. He finished the game completing 4 of 7 passes for 90 yards, a long of 42 yards, no touchdowns, and no interceptions. His numbers weren't off the chart, but he looked good in the pocket. He stood tall and didn't seem to get nervous in the pocket. Moseley has never started a game and the Auburn Tigers face the vaunting LSU defense this weekend. It seems pretty clear that Trotter isn't going to be the future at quarterback for the Tigers. However, is it wise to give Moseley his first start this weekend? Trotter has a few starts in hostile environments this season when the Tigers went to Clemson, South Carolina, and Arkansas. However, he has gotten worse since the beginning of the season. This is a really tough decision for Auburn's coaches. What do you think they should do? Should Clint Moseley Start for Auburn against LSU?
The Auburn Tigers offensive coordinator, Gus Malzahn, left the team in December to become the head coach at Arkansas State. Malzahn's offense is widely considered as a variation of a Hurry Uptempo Spread Offense (HUSO), lining up the quarterback in the Shotgun instead of under center and spreading out the defense with three wide receivers. He has had major success as the OC for the Tigers, including helping win a BCS National Title in 2011 over the Oregon Ducks and shattering many offensive school records. A debate has picked up among Auburn fans on message boards across the web, however, concerning whether the Tigers should switch to a more pro-style offense. There has also been debate about which type of pro-style offense Auburn should run...West Coast offense, I-formation offense, or a Multiple Set offense. The West Coast offense has the quarterback mostly under center and is characterized by using short, horizontal passing routes instead of running the ball to "stretch out" a defense in order to open the potential for long runs or long passes. Auburn ran this type of offense under Offensive Coordinator Al Borges during its undefeated 2004 season.The I-formation offense consists of the quarterback under center with a fullback and halfback lined up directly behind him. It is characterized as a run first and run heavy offense that utilizes play-action to freeze linebackers to open up the vertical passing game. Auburn has ran the I-formation several times in its history and has been very successful when doing so.The Multiple Set offense consists of a playbook borrowing from all the different offensive styles. It utilizes a mixture of the Spread, West Coast, I-form, Single Back, and Pistol formations in its attack of a defense. It is the most complicated of the offenses and has the potential to consist of the largest playbook. In today's NFL, it is the offense that is run by most teams making it the true pro-style offense of the modern game.Personally, I would love for us to go to a multiple set offense. It is much more versatile and allows an offense the opportunity to line up in a formation best suited to defeat the opposing defense. Examples of teams running the Multiple Set offense includes the LSU Tigers and the Washington Huskies. But what do you think? Should Auburn ditch the Spread for a Pro-Style Offense? If so, which type?
After the performance against the Clemson Tigers, the Auburn Tigers fans expect to see improvement in their defense as they play the FAU Owls in Jordan-Hare Stadium in week four of the 2011 college football season. The Tigers will be looking to make their record 3-1 before entering the month of October.The Owls have the worst offense in the nation. In two games against Michigan State and Florida, they were only able to score 3 points. Their defense is also one of the worst in the nation. It has given up 85 points in two games. The Tigers defense has no excuse to not shut down the Owls. They are horrible. Stat Comparison of the Two TeamsFAU Owls Season Statistics through Week ThreeRushing Offense - ranked 120; 26.00 rushing yards per gamePassing Offense - ranked 119; 66.50 passing yards per gameTotal Offense - ranked 120; 92.50 total yards per gameScoring Offense - ranked 120; 1.50 points per gameRushing Defense - ranked 93; 192.50 rushing yards given up per gamePass Defense - ranked 95; 258.50 passing yards given up per gameTotal Defense - ranked 107; 451.00 total yards given up per gameScoring Defense - ranked 115; 42.50 points given up per game Auburn Tigers Season Statistics through Week ThreeRushing Offense - ranked 40; 183.33 rushing yards per gamePassing Offense - ranked 75; 210.00 passing yards per gameTotal Offense - ranked 69; 393.33 total yards per gameScoring Offense - ranked 39; 35.67 points per gameRushing Defense - ranked 116; 266.00 rushing yards given up per gamePass Defense - ranked 100; 268.33 passing yards given up per gameTotal Defense - ranked 117; 534.33 total yards given up per gameScoring Defense - ranked 107; 36.67 points given up per gameJordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, ALAuburn is favored by 33.5 points. They are going to crush the Owls without a doubt, but what is more important is how the Tigers defense plays. Will the Auburn Faithful see improvements in the defense? How many yards will they give up?
I love the hire of Brian VanGorder by Auburn Tigers coach Gene Chizik. The last month has been tough for the Auburn Family. We lost both of our coordinators, our top recruit to the Alabama Crimson Tide, our best player, Mike Dyer, has left the team, and Bama won the BCS National Title. The perception of the program and overall direction seemed to have been in a downward spiral. We really needed to change the momentum heading into National Recruiting Signing Day by making a big splash, and I think hiring a coach with NFL pedigree as our defensive coordinator did just that. I also like the timing of announcing the new defensive coordinator by Coach Chizik. It was not coincidental the announcement came on the same day two of Auburn's Rivals, the LSU Tigers and Bama, were playing in the 2012 BCS National Championship Game. Instead of being completely forgotten during tomorrow's media coverage of college football because a rival won the Title, the Tigers new hire will also be discussed and will steal some of the press Bama would have gotten in-state and in the SEC. His timing, in my opinion, was brilliant. The only other time of making the announcement that might have been better would have been the day after the BCS Title game.VanGroder has about 30 years of coaching experience, including a four year stop as the defensive coordinator in the SEC at Georgia. He has coached in various levels of college football and in the NFL as linebackers coach, defensive coordinator, and head coach. Coach Chizik said he was looking for a great coach and recruiter, and I believe VanGroder fits that billing. Here is a glance of VanGroder's bio: Central Florida defensive coordinator (1996-97)Central Michigan defensive coordinator (1998-99)Western Illinois defensive coordinator (2000)Georgia defensive coordinator (2001-04)Jacksonville Jaguars line backers coach (2005)Georgia Southern head coach (2006)Atlanta Falcons line backers coach (2007)Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator (2008-11)As defensive coordinator with the Georgia Bulldogs, Phillip Marshall of Auburn Undercover reports the following (bullets added):In 2001, the Bulldogs allowed 18.9 points per game, No. 5 in rushing defense and No. 17 in scoring defense. In 2002, led the Southeastern Conference in scoring defense at fewer than 15 points per game as Georgia won the league championship and finished No.3 in the polls.In 2003, VanGorder's defense was No. 3 nationally in scoring defense, No. 4 in total defense and No. 6 in passing defense. He won the Frank Boyles Award as the nation's top assistant coach.In 2004, VanGorder's final season, the Bulldogs were No. 8 nationally in scoring defense.Those are damn impressive statistics and are directly relevant for evaluating his potential at Auburn. He has had success in the South Eastern Conference and with the talent currently at Auburn, he should be able to produce better results and have more success than Auburn's former DC, Ted Roof. Adding NFL experience should make him even better. What do you think? Was VanGorder a great hire by Auburn head coach Gene Chizik?
Larry King
March Madness
Natasha Fame Leslie
Ryan Seacrest
Sanu Dellafiore
John Armstrong
Fred Hanna
Georgia Hester
