News Article: Auburn wrap-up: Alabama sticks to script, loses the plot

[RamJamHam]

I see we are in full "weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth" mode right now.

CNS and staff have been here 4 years. During that time they have won one NC and been in the hunt for at least one other (arguably two others). They of course spent 2007 getting rid of Shula's deadwood. Over the last three years, we are 35-5. Is there ANYBODY out there who would not have taken that offer in less than a heartbeat after losing to MSU in 2006?

I'm not saying there are not things to improve on. I think CNS and staff would be the first to tell you that, and I think they are already hard at work on it. They already have commitments from two highly-recruited DL guys who should be able to come in and improve that area immediately. Of course that immediately makes the LBs and DBs better. We will get Robby Green back, and he would have helped out immensely this year from a talent standpoint. We return 4 OL and will start a more talented QB; whether he is better than GMac remains to be seen.

To put it in perspective, many of us seem to be using winning the NC as the standard. Coach Bryant won it 6 times in 25 years, or 24% of the time. By my calculations, CNS and staff are right on schedule. As for the other 19 years where CPB didn't win it, or in the cases where his teams had bad losses (1981 loss to GTech team in Bham that went 1-10), I'm not sure we could stand it. Not to mention the consecutive 6-5 seasons in 1969 and 1970. You know, right before he reeled off what was at the time the most dominating decade college football had ever seen.

Maybe we should have fired Coach Stallings after the 35-0 loss to Florida, where it looked like that bunch of players and coaches did not have a clue about what they were doing. This coming off a 7-5 season and a 34-7 bowl loss to Louisville, of all people. Of course, the next game started a 28-game unbeaten streak.

We're all hurt that we lost to AU. And there are some changes that need to be made. But let's not throw the baby out with the bathwater here.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

Very well put.


2007: 7-6
2008: 12-2
2009: 14-0
2010: 9-3 (Bowl game yet to be played)

**This string of four years includes a BCS National Championship, a Heisman Trophy winner and two back to back undefeated regular seasons.

I see we are in full "weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth" mode right now.

CNS and staff have been here 4 years. During that time they have won one NC and been in the hunt for at least one other (arguably two others). They of course spent 2007 getting rid of Shula's deadwood. Over the last three years, we are 35-5. Is there ANYBODY out there who would not have taken that offer in less than a heartbeat after losing to MSU in 2006?

I'm not saying there are not things to improve on. I think CNS and staff would be the first to tell you that, and I think they are already hard at work on it. They already have commitments from two highly-recruited DL guys who should be able to come in and improve that area immediately. Of course that immediately makes the LBs and DBs better. We will get Robby Green back, and he would have helped out immensely this year from a talent standpoint. We return 4 OL and will start a more talented QB; whether he is better than GMac remains to be seen.

To put it in perspective, many of us seem to be using winning the NC as the standard. Coach Bryant won it 6 times in 25 years, or 24% of the time. By my calculations, CNS and staff are right on schedule. As for the other 19 years where CPB didn't win it, or in the cases where his teams had bad losses (1981 loss to GTech team in Bham that went 1-10), I'm not sure we could stand it. Not to mention the consecutive 6-5 seasons in 1969 and 1970. You know, right before he reeled off what was at the time the most dominating decade college football had ever seen.

Maybe we should have fired Coach Stallings after the 35-0 loss to Florida, where it looked like that bunch of players and coaches did not have a clue about what they were doing. This coming off a 7-5 season and a 34-7 bowl loss to Louisville, of all people. Of course, the next game started a 28-game unbeaten streak.

We're all hurt that we lost to AU. And there are some changes that need to be made. But let's not throw the baby out with the bathwater here.

 

[JD95]

Auburn has improved since that game. Does anyone think Auburn would have as much trouble with Mississippi State as it did in Week 2 if they played again today? I hope not.

Or Clemson. Or Kentucky.

Auburn is not static. Starting with LSU, then through Georgia and into Alabama, they've shown themselves to be clearly the top team in the conference.

The most frustrating part of this season to me is the complete lack of improvement in virtually any aspect of our team since Game 1. This was a hallmark of Shula's teams -- everyone else improved during the season, while Alabama did not -- which led to his distastrous record in November games. This Alabama team was no better on Thanksgiving weekend than on Labor Day weekend, while Auburn made huge strides during the year. That made all the difference in the second half on Friday.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

We "struggled" this season and still won 9 games. We "struggled" in the Shula years and couldn't win a game past the month of October and struggled to win six games, save the ONE season we won 10 games.

Even mentioning the Shula regime to compare this regime to should be a federal crime. We just had an off year both coaching and playing. It happens.

The most frustrating part of this season to me is the complete lack of improvement in virtually any aspect of our team since Game 1. This was a hallmark of Shula's teams -- everyone else improved during the season, while Alabama did not -- which led to his distastrous record in November games. This Alabama team was no better on Thanksgiving weekend than on Labor Day weekend, while Auburn made huge strides during the year. That made all the difference in the second half on Friday.

 

[REBELZED]

The most frustrating part of this season to me is the complete lack of improvement in virtually any aspect of our team since Game 1. This was a hallmark of Shula's teams -- everyone else improved during the season, while Alabama did not -- which led to his distastrous record in November games. This Alabama team was no better on Thanksgiving weekend than on Labor Day weekend, while Auburn made huge strides during the year. That made all the difference in the second half on Friday.

Let's not jump off the ledge yet

I said it in another post, but this team was 2 plays away from being 11-1. And the November losses were to legitimate top 10 teams. It's disappointing, but in the grand scheme of things our team did pretty well given the circumstances (youth, bye weeks, etc)...

 

[rhunter]

Just this AM able to climb out of deep depression and post

I like the analysis of the 4 year run- I'd have taken it in a heartbeat after crappy 2006 season-

I would like to see some adjustments on the offensive side of the ball as I know with the talent getting more experienced and CKS/CNS the defense will be much improved in 2011.

I wonder if Bama offense in 2011 will be like Gators in 2006 with Chris Leak and Tebow? That worked well for them or will McCarron just win the QB battle and be the starter.

Julio, Ingram, GMAC, and many others have provided me with great memories and stuff I can tell grandkids about (WAY down the road!!) and for that I'm grateful.

72,82,89,97,10- those are tough losses but I'm proud of the way our guys fought this year-

BUT- it's obvious we need some leadership like RO McLain, Javy, and others for next year to get back to ATL-

I fully expect AU to take a step back but ARKY, LSU are still there and surely the East will improve!!

 

[92tide]

Just this AM able to climb out of deep depression and post

I like the analysis of the 4 year run- I'd have taken it in a heartbeat after crappy 2006 season-

I would like to see some adjustments on the offensive side of the ball as I know with the talent getting more experienced and CKS/CNS the defense will be much improved in 2011.

I wonder if Bama offense in 2011 will be like Gators in 2006 with Chris Leak and Tebow? That worked well for them or will McCarron just win the QB battle and be the starter.

Julio, Ingram, GMAC, and many others have provided me with great memories and stuff I can tell grandkids about (WAY down the road!!) and for that I'm grateful.

72,82,89,97,10- those are tough losses but I'm proud of the way our guys fought this year-

BUT- it's obvious we need some leadership like RO McLain, Javy, and others for next year to get back to ATL-

I fully expect AU to take a step back but ARKY, LSU are still there and surely the East will improve!!

i dont foresee us running a 2 QB system. both AJ and PS are pocket passers for the most part

 

[Baryugin]

1. Offensive line play - just not what is expected from a Tide team. There were too many jail breaks and our guys to never seemed to work together as a single unit.

Lord, isn't that the truth. I can't get the image of the McElroy fumble out of my head. Our 2 O-linemen, in 3-point across from the next Warren Sapp, and both of them double-team someone else????? How??? That one play was likely the difference in the game... Looking at Auburn's other games, if I had been McElroy, I would have been leaning over the line, pointing straight into Fairly's facemask, "Ya'll see him, right? He's right there! Just wanted to make sure..."

I think that's where my brother turned off the game - we had missed the first part and when we started watching was when things started to go badly, so we assumed we brought the bad voodoo.

I'm over it, though...a benefit of living in Tennessee, especially with the big oranges keeping quiet after their season. I guess I can't begrudge Auburn a high point or two in their last year of fielding a football team. :biggrin:

 

[REBELZED]

I can't get the image of the McElroy fumble out of my head.

Unfortunately, this is how I will remember the 2010 season. In each loss, McElroy was hit in the back field and fumbled on what turned out to be a game-changing play. Brutal

 

[rhunter]

Good point- both are pocket passers and that QB battle will make the spring very enjoyable to watch-

We should be able to improve a game or so record wise next year with the road games against PSU and UF (and even AU) not looking as bad I thought back in Sept of this year.

LSU and an improved UT at home as well as ARKY.

I see 10-2 at the worst as long as injuries don't rack up.

Talent wise, again we should be at least equal to everyone on the schedule- THAT to me is what makes this "era" different than 2000-2007 (or08)

 

[Aries]

Good Read-except that SC will beat Auburn. There is no mammoth gap to overcome. If turnovers hadn't happened, Aub would have been beat the first time. SC is playing better football now then previously, Jeffreies is a beast as well as their RB.

SC wins and Aub's title dreams are gone.

 

[Heavy D]

A very bitter article but summed up nicely. This lose hurt probably worse than any I can remember. To be so close and to let it slip away makes the wound deeper.

As far as your comments on Oregon vs. Auburn, I think Oregon has a chance because I believe the offenses are a wash and I believe Oregon has a better overall defense. The Iron Bowl changed my perception of Auburn's defense... their D-line is very good and will possibly cause the Ducks problems. I just remember the same criticisms that are now being made of Oregon being made of Utah in the Sugar Bowl, specifically that they were too small. I think we will see.

 

[tidefan67]

Unfortunately, this is how I will remember the 2010 season. In each loss, McElroy was hit in the back field and fumbled on what turned out to be a game-changing play. Brutal

That play kills me too. I saw Ingram coming to block Fairley and didn't realize until later that he actually knocked the ball out of G-Mac's hand. The drop by Trent is what killed me. Well that and being married to an Aubie grad. At least she is civil when it comes to football.