How Embarassing

That was pathetic. That was unacceptable. That was embarassing. That was a whole lot of other adjectives that come to mind, none of which gives warm and fuzzy sensation. We got beat like a red-headed step child. The first play from scrimmage was foreshadowing of what was to come as Brandon "what color jersey does my team wear again?" Cox lobbed one up ripe for the taking...and Georgia took it. It will be commonplace to say that the Tigers lost in in the 3rd quarter, but to be brutally honest, it was way before then. Even though at the half the score was 17-10, it shouldve been much worse. The only reason our offense was able to score was because of stupid penalties on a very pumped up UGA team. For that reason, and thanks to the defense, did AU sustain any drives. It had to happen though. Too many games this season has our D been the glue that holds together a win and even some close losses. In the 3rd quarter, once again, the D set us up to hold on and take it to the wire. Jerraud Powers (who is the only competent, trustworthy corner on the team) made a nice INT by baiting Stafford into the throw to set the Awulffense up at the 27. Again, the D is the only reason we scored. The next drive we could not cash in for 7 which could have started deflating UGA, but instead had to settle for 3. Following the go ahed FG, the defense finally let 11 straight weeks of lights out play get to them and ran out of gas. Although, I blame the secondary (excluding Powers of course) moreso than the rest of the D. However, when it all comes down to it. I blame the lack of offensive execution. Perhaps its the playcalling? I dont know. I do know that it is rediculous that our receivers cant get open. Its hard to believe that Tim Hawthorne, Rob Dunn, Chris Slaughter, et al (all of whom were highly regarded recruits) dont have the talent. The problem is much higher than them.

Here is why our offense did not work:

1) The O line did not block as well as they needed to, therefore our running game was ineffective.

2) Because of the illegitimate ground game, the play action pass was therefore ineffective.

3) We cant throw the long ball.

4) Since we cant throw the long ball, all UGA had to do was blitz and cover short and medium passes.

5) Cox holding the ball too long + non blocking O-line = sacks

The recievers combined for 6 passes caught. 6! 6! I wont say anything more about this as it infuriates me. The offense we have is not a big play style offense. It is designed to chew up time and move the ball methodically downfield. The only problem is that it wasnt moving. I vote for some new philosophies or maybe a mixture. We need big play capablities.

Interesting Facts:

Aubrun and Bama have each lost to MSU, UGA, LSU, and a team from FL (USF and FSU)

Both teams are 6-4

Both are unranked

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Another interesting bit of info:

In the 2003 season
-Auburn had just endured a disappointing season, culminating with a blow-out loss at Sanford Stadium against Georgia.
-Tommy Tuberville was rumored to possibly be coaching his last game...with Bobby Petrino reportedly ready to leave his current head coaching job after just one season to replace him.
-Alabama had a brand new coach who would be coaching in his first Iron Bowl and would be bringing Alabama back to the top of the SEC.
-After originally being scheduled as a CBS afternoon game, because of the poor performance thus far by both teams, CBS opted out. ESPN then picked up the game as their Saturday Night Game of the Week.

Sound familiar?

I will say this. I know I definiately could not have gone out there and played any percentage as well as the players go out and do. I know I cant coach anywhere close to a good as any on the staff. That being said, my opinion doesnt matter, plain and simple. The only reason any fans get so ticked off with performances like Saturday's is because we've been spoiled. We have tasted victory time and time again. We have felt what its like to be mentioned with elite teams. We have experienced winning a lot of games. Its for those reasons and the simple fact that I love Auburn with all that I have that its such a crushing loss in a disappointing season. A lot of Auburn fans believe this team is better than 6-4. Im one of them. We keep forgetting though, that these are a bunch of 18-22 yr old young men (mostly 18 and 19 on this team). This is a VERY young team. It will be great to see what they in the coming years. Its easy for us to complain and place blame. Each of the players experienced that same loss on Saturday. Something tells me it bothers them a little bit more and they take slightly harder than I do knowing that they were the ones that lost. The difference is, that they have to go back out there each week and try and get better, while we sit on our asses and point out the problems. You better believe they want to make up for it.

But now as fans we have a job to do, just as the players have a job to do. In less than 2 weeks, everyone knows who is coming into our house. This game will be our season. Sure, its been a disappointing year. The one thing that can take the pain away is to wipe the floor with the school we all love to hate. I challenge all the fans out there to slow down and think before you change your attitude towards Coach Tubberville and start calling for his head. He has done so much for Auburn, and we take him for granted. I challenge you to come to Auburn ready to go to war for this team, to stand behind them no matter what and put some validity behind the cheer that we chant each week. No matter how we play, or who we have lost to, It is great to be an Auburn Tiger. You better come ready to let the players and coaches know it.

War Damn Eagle