Herbstreit Talks About 2011 SEC Football, Specifically UA and AU

[RollinTider1335]

Kirk also mentions that he has a question of who will be our weapon as a receiver? I find that interesting considering we are pretty deep at WR with a lot of talent. Somebody will rise I am convinced.

 

[bamaman07]

Do you think *u got their money's worth out of him? And, if the NCAA does what a lot of us think they should do, will *u still think they got their money's worth? I think they will, because they will always say that they know who won the games on the field and what Championships they were awarded for their efforts. It matters not to them that they did it with professionals (imo).

No doubt their fans will be thinking that when they have 40 scholarships taken away, get banned from postseason for three years, lose their entire coaching staff and have a big losing streak to Alabama as a result of their impending sanctions. No doubt. I highly doubt they'll find it worth anything with the penalties and public backlash they'll receive. Everybody around the nation knows AU cheated to win last year and that partial one in 1957.

 

[bamaman07]

No way Auburn makes it to a bowl game. I don't think they'll win a game against an SEC West opponent and maybe against any SEC opponent, east or west.

Cam Newton, like him or not, was literally one of, if not THE biggest difference makers in college football history.

Without him last year AU would have lost to Miss. State, Clemson, Kentucky, Arkansas, LSU, Georgia, and Alabama.

He, literally and personally was the difference between a win or loss in those games.

Take him away and consider that they lost almost their entire offensive line and several stellar defensive linemen and it really doesn't matter if they have a Malzhan or not, they're going to be horrible.

Even their running backs who looked so impressive last year were able to do so because defenses were so worried about Newton.

I agree with Herbie and think it's going to be a long long long season for the University of West Georgia.

sip

EXACTLY. Thank you. Not only do they lose Cam Newton, they lose four starting offensive linemen who were talented and had been through the ringer of four years. They lost Darvin Adams, Kodi Burns and Terrell Zachery at WR. Three very talented and experienced players there too. The defense is what took the biggest hit. Eight starters are gone from a very average defense along with some key backups. Fairley, Blanc, Clayton, Goggans, Carter, Bynes, Stevens, Washington, Etheridge and McNeil. They also lose their stud kicker Wes Byrum and punter. Add in that ridiculous schedule and that's a tough year in store. Auburn fans can't spin those facts.

 

[Crimson Cat]

I don't disagree with any of that really...
Last season, the barn had a senior-laden team and a savvy qb that was the difference maker in tight games; if Malzahn can whip their offense into a juggernaut this season with what he has to work with, I'll give him his props because I think he needs a star at qb as well as a good o-line to pull it off. I could see them winning 7-8 games which would be decent.

Bama is getting a lot of hype this year and expectations at least early on are a little high, imho. I think it will be a closer race than usual for the west between LSU/Arky/Bama. Bama's best strength is on the defensive side which I expect to be crazy good. Offensive side & special teams has some significant question marks not to mention we've lost some strong senior leadership on that side of the ball. CNS touched on that on the ESPiN interview and I think it will play a significant role in how good this team will be.

 

[CrimsonBeachBum]

CGM is going to help them some.

I heard an Aubie say last week, "We beat Alabama next year. After everything that has gone on this year, we are going to beat them." With that mindset, I see AU losing to MSU, Clemson, USCe, LSU, Arkansas and Georgia because of major payback. That doesn't even include the payback that Alabama is going to want, or what UF can do with them. That is why I can easily see them losing 6-8 games this year.

I agree with this and I have AU and Ole Miss tied for dead last in the SEC West. But because of the Malzhan factor at AU and Houston Nutt being what he is, I'd have to give the Barn a slight edge. They'll probably luck up and win a game or two that they aren't supposed to.

 

[bamaman07]

I agree with this and I have AU and Ole Miss tied for dead last in the SEC West. But because of the Malzhan factor at AU and Houston Nutt being what he is, I'd have to give the Barn a slight edge. They'll probably luck up and win a game or two that they aren't supposed to.

One thing to remember is that Ole Miss game with Auburn comes at the end of a brutal stretch in October for the boogs. They play at South Carolina, at Arkansas, at LSU and Florida at home all before Ole Miss. AU's bye week is right after the Ole Miss game. AU will be dragging by time that game is played and could have several losses. I think it's a toss up right now. Ole Miss can't help but get better after the way their season went last year and AU will certainly be worse.

 

[We_are_Bama]

Auburn lost way to much on both sides to surprise anyone ....... that will be a cold hard truth. Alabama was loaded last year but lack of experience on the defensive side killed them in big games .... expect the same from Auburn. New Oline and much of their defense is gone .... and they were not spectacular at all last year. Nick Fairley saved their secondary last year.

Correct

 

[graydogg85]

I'm convinced that Auburn has a good OC, but the positions coaches are garbage. I'm tired of hearing about all this talent that they have...

I agree with this.

Auburn has one of the better offensive coordinators in the country, and aside from that a very pedestrian staff including the head coach. Their defensive staff is very mediocre, which is surprising given Chizik's supposed pedigree.

 

[bamaman07]

I agree with this.

Auburn has one of the better offensive coordinators in the country, and aside from that a very pedestrian staff including the head coach. Their defensive staff is very mediocre, which is surprising given Chizik's supposed pedigree.

Losing Tracy Rocker will prove to be as big as losing Fairley and others off their defensive line. Rocker was a damn good coach. As much as they struggled on defense last year, this year will prove much worse. They're going to have issues defensively.

 

[We_are_Bama]

One of the guys on the round table on Jox today said no way auburn loses to Clemson or South Carolina, (he cited the fact that auburn has never lost to South Carolina has his reason) and very well could be undefeated going in to Baton Rouge on October 22nd. But he also said LSU would not be undefeated going into that same game. This off season has been a weird one where the barn is concerned. First, it was the bottom is going to fall out in 2011 due to losing scam, fairley, not to mention all those seniors. Then, what concern they had seemed to fade. Now, expectations for them are rising some what. I jus thope they get that arse beat on 10/1 in Columbia. It was bad enough hearing it from them when we lost there last season. I REALLY don't want to hear it from them if they go there and beat an even better Carolina squad.

 

[tidefan67]

I'm not sure that Hightower is the needed leader. Seemed like either Nico or CJ were taking that spot last year. Nico will be a junior, so he is more than capable of being a leader for this team.

In regards to AU - they may not be bowl eligible by the end of October...

I agree with you. C.J. reminded me alot of Ro last part of the season. He has more time in the system and if he grasps it the way I think he has, then we're in good shape.

 

[BAMA1979]

One of the guys on the round table on Jox today said no way auburn loses to Clemson or South Carolina, (he cited the fact that auburn has never lost to South Carolina has his reason) and very well could be undefeated going in to Baton Rouge on October 22nd. But he also said LSU would not be undefeated going into that same game. This off season has been a weird one where the barn is concerned. First, it was the bottom is going to fall out in 2011 due to losing scam, fairley, not to mention all those seniors. Then, what concern they had seemed to fade. Now, expectations for them are rising some what. I jus thope they get that arse beat on 10/1 in Columbia. It was bad enough hearing it from them when we lost there last season. I REALLY don't want to hear it from them if they go there and beat an even better Carolina squad.

I could see them beating Clemson considering Clemson goes into the fetal position anytime they play someone with a pulse.

 

[RTR91]

Here is support for Herbstreit in relation to his Auburn prediction:

@jimdunaway Road games Clem, SC, Ark, LSU, UGA RT @AUBlog: Auburn roster breakdown: 15 SR, 17 JR, 19 SOPH, 54 FR. 51.4 percent of the team are freshmen

 

[Purplepossum]

Havent believed anything he has said since he wrote that the Big 10 dominated the 1970s.

 

[bamaman07]

One of the guys on the round table on Jox today said no way auburn loses to Clemson or South Carolina, (he cited the fact that auburn has never lost to South Carolina has his reason) and very well could be undefeated going in to Baton Rouge on October 22nd. But he also said LSU would not be undefeated going into that same game. This off season has been a weird one where the barn is concerned. First, it was the bottom is going to fall out in 2011 due to losing scam, fairley, not to mention all those seniors. Then, what concern they had seemed to fade. Now, expectations for them are rising some what. I jus thope they get that arse beat on 10/1 in Columbia. It was bad enough hearing it from them when we lost there last season. I REALLY don't want to hear it from them if they go there and beat an even better Carolina squad.

I expect Clemson AND South Carolina both to beat them. Clemson will be a much improved team this year and they will have superior QB play in that game. Tahj Boyd, the QB for Clemson, is a stud. The game is also being played at Clemson and Dabo Swinney is on the hot seat. Edge goes to Clemson. South Carolina is deep, more talented and more experienced than Auburn this year. Plus they have the revenge factor from last year. Spurrier will beat them and beat them handily IMO. Too much talent for Auburn AND the game is in Columbia. Big edge to South Carolina.