FULLTIMEWOOOOOOOO
— What can you say? Our kicker has better nerves. That’s about the extent of it. We all take Wes Byrum for granted, I think. We should not.
— Remarkable fightback. Remarkable. And full credit to the defense: 7 points allowed to a team with a line, backs, and QB like that over the course of the entire second half and overtime … I mean, at this point, the defense is the better side of the ball for Auburn, right? Right? Certainly the more consistent of the two.
— Brutal game. Just brutal. Brutal from an emotional standpoint, brutal hits on the field, brutal ending if you’re a Clemson fan. I thought that pass from Parker had won the game.
— Malzahn still has no real confidence in Newton. Two timeouts, 90 seconds, only 55 yards or so to go to at least give Byrum a shot, and we play for overtime. Even with our defense clearly sucking wind. That’s not the decision of a staff with confidence in its quarterback. (Then again, why should they have confidence in Newton when it comes to reading defenses downfield?)
— There are problems, obviously. Third-and-short is still a gigantic bugaboo. If Clemson had run one more screen pass, they’d have probably won and I’d have probably destroyed my television, my one possession I treasure above all others. Newton, as I mentioned.
But tonight, screw it. Auburn won. They won a game that was as hard-fought and hard-earned as any they’ll play this year. Tonight, that’s all that matters. We’ll worry about the other stuff in the morning.
WAR EAGLE!
THIRD QUARTER
— Wow. Wow wow wow wow wow. The West Virginia game all over again. Give Chizik this: his guys don’t quit.
— Auburn dominated that quarter as badly as Clemson dominated the first half. Even moreso, actually. 150 yard margin for Clemson at the half is now a 60 yard deficit. A 210-yard swing in the space of a quarter.
— Not over yet, not by a long, long, long shot. But that 15 minutes made a lot of the things I wrote below look pretty dumb, huh?
HALFTIME: HEY THAT WAS FUN
— Look, if you can’t convert 3rd-and-short, you’re not going to sustain anything. Three third-and-shorts this half (before the last desperate drive, when Clemson was in prevent) resulted in 1. a run to nowhere 2. a pass that had no hope of completion 3. a useless, stupid hold. Fatal.
— We’ve said all offseason: Newton’s gotta be able to throw the ball. Newton’s gotta be able to throw the ball.
He can’t throw the ball. At least not on the basis on this half. 1-of-6 for 23 yards and 3.8 an attempt … that’s just not competent at this level. The throw a mile over Smith’s head was sadly exemplary of the half he just played. One completion in a half! I’m going to print out that preseason post I did where I said he’d be awesome and, I don’t know, shred it in the garbage disposal.
— The defense wasn’t much good, but they weren’t terrible. So much time-of-possession for Clemson, so many three-and-outs. One of the two TDs set up by an interception. I’m not angry at those guys. Not a whole lot, anyway.
— Hey, that’s our super-experienced world-beating offensive line getting completely owned by a team North Texas moved the ball on with impunity.
— The field goal was nice. But I’m not going to harbor any hope of somehow winning this game. For the second half, I just want to see some execution on offense, a little bit of a hole for our running backs, some sort of indication we understand how to defend a screen pass. They’re the better team. Auburn, just play like you aren’t drunk, please. That’s all I’m asking at this stage.
— COME TO AUBURN, RECRUITS! ACCEPT CHALLENGES LIKE 14-POINT HALFTIME DEFICITS AGAINST ACC TEAMS IN FRONT OF SOLD-OUT CROWDS ON ESPN!
— Back at the end of the game.
PREGAME, 5:45: Still no word on any uniform alterations, though we have reports that Nova is a late scratch and she’ll be replaced by Spirit. And just to verify anything that might need verification per Kenny Smith, Ziemba is starting, Dyer has been announced as the starting tailback, and Stevens is starting at linebacker.
Unless something major–i.e. the uniform thing happens–I’ll be back at halftime. War Eagle.
PREGAME, 5:15: Well lookie here:
Auburn and Clemson announced they will play on the opening weekend of the 2012 season in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff in Atlanta’s Georgia Dome …
Tickets will be distributed evenly between the teams, with each getting approximately 31,500. The projected per team payout is $2.1 million, which is higher than 22 bowl games last year.
This is in addition to the 2011 meeting between these schools in Clemson. I hope you like running into these guys, folks, since we’re going to be seeing a lot of them.
But aside from that, I’m delighted to have Auburn in that spotlight, and I’m assuming for the “more home games” crowd (who I totally sympathize with), we’ll pair this game with three cuppitycakes. Also, 2.2 million smackeroos. Michael Scott refers to this as a “win-win-win.”
PREGAME, 4:20: And just as I post that, we get word that Craig Stevens appears to be back with the team, as expected. Will be interesting to see exactly how the linebacking rotation plays out; The Toro played too well last week to just consign him to the bench again.
PREGAME, 4:15: Andy Bitter and the soon-to-be-departed Andrew Gribble have their pregame posts up, and the big scoop: it’s freaking hot. As with the heat in Starkville a week ago, no idea who that might help.
Post-Gameday, a few people on Twitter noticed for the first time that Auburn has a policy of not letting Corso put on the Aubie head. The consensus was that this was “dumb.” The thought here is: up yours, ESPN. Some things are bigger than you are, and Aubie is one of them. (It’s his head, man.) Just because everyone else is jumping off a bridge doesn’t mean we have to. So there.
Apropos of nothing at all, Ohio St. may have won the game. But I think the Ohio fans win at life. (Via, HT to JCB.)
PREGAME, 1:35: Oh man, that’s quite the gut-punch for Georgia–particularly since with Blair Walsh on the sidelines, they only needed to get to Arkansas’s 40 or so on their final (non-Hail Mary) possession to have a great shot at a game-winning field goal. For once Spielman and Griese were right–going for a deep completion instead of a first down on that 3rd-and-5, particularly with a weapon like Walsh around, was idiotic.
As for the Hogs, well, that’s the best Mallett has played on the road by a mile, and that defense has a pulse now. Damn.
As for Ole Miss: LOLZ. Some credit to Vandy, though–that defense looks like it’s back to the usual ‘Dores “we’re going to make things tough on you no matter how horrific our offense might be” standards.
How ’bout another Gameday shot? Especially one of Alice Fraasa? Especially one featuring only the best in today’s t-shirt wear?
If you’d rather have some pregame reading material, I’ll re-recommend this Shakin’ the Southland preview, or you can look over Auburn’s just released men’s hoops schedule. Usually, I’d be appalled at the lack of challenges on the nonconference slate. This year? After the injuries and academic washouts? I think it’s kind of perfect, honestly.
PREGAME, 9:30: Watchin’ Gameday, for the first time this season. Crowd seems lively, and of course seeing Jordan-Hare’s magnificence–and Aubie rising up into the background of half-a-dozen shots–has been fun. I told ACC Rivals that Newton had, indeed, already become the biggest star on the team; if you needed proof, I think the full 60-70 percent of Auburn signs that reference him qualifies.
Speaking of signs, there’s some clever ones. But “Welcome Back Shon” is my favorite.
OK, we’ve got a little bit of time to kill, so here’s some my picks for the SEC this week against the spread. I’m against pick columns on general principle (since you can find them 8 gazillion places, and it’s not like mine have any intrinsic value), but what the hell, as long as it’s just part of a larger post:
Georgia (-1.5) over Arkansas: Preseason, I said the Dawgs could challenge Florida and that the Hogs were overrated. Still too soon to back away from that, especially with the Dawgs wounded and at home.
Vanderbilt (+11.5) over Ole Miss: Rebels haven’t put away either of two much weaker teams by this kind of margin. Vandy’s also due for a squeaker loss after getting blown out a week ago, even on the road.
Alabama (-24) over Duke: 54 points given up to Wake is going to equal at least 40 given up to the Tide, and I don’t see the Devils clearing more than 14.
Florida (-13.5) over Tennessee: The 48 points given up obscured the fact that the Vols managed all of 13 points against a wobbly Oregon D at home. Don’t see them scoring more than that against the Gators, who don’t seem to be missing Charlie Strong just yet.
Akron (+25) over Kentucky: After getting embarrassed against Gardner-Webb last week, the Zips should put up a greater effort.
Mississippi State (+7.5) over LSU: Mullen will have his guys ready after last week’s disappointment, and I’m not confident about Jefferson or Lee standing up to Diaz’s pressure.
Auburn’s -6 over Clemson; I’m staying away from that.
Lastly, before we sign off for a while, you need to see this:
Oh, and listen to the clip at that link, too. War Eagle! Back with another update, oh, whenever I feel like it. Maybe halftime of the first round of games.
Newton gif courtesy our new best friend, Patrickthetiger.
I made a sign that said “Wham, bam, thank you Cam.” I thought it was pretty clever, and made reference to Malzahn’s quick strike offense.
It was confiscated by ESPN production members… it wasn’t THAT inappropriate.
There’s a game going on in Athens! 24-24 with 2 min. left!
H-G, that’s a joke. Good poster, though.
Blue shakers, man. All blue shakers.
Saw this in the comment section at the “shakin the southland” game preview that is linked in the post above…. thoughts?
Auburn is splitting production costs with ESPN for Gameday today. This is a first in the history of Gameday. They were going to go to the Texas-Texas Tech game but Auburn stepped in and made this offer. Auburn wanted ESPN to stress what a great family atmosphere AU has and that out of all the schools in the SEC that they visit Auburn is the nicest place. ESPN refused. Last night when AU released that ridiculous statement that came directly from the AU spin machine and attributed quotes to the guys on Gameday they didn’t say, ESPN went ballistic. ESPN has cut a few segments featuring AU today and will spend a lot less time on AU than they normally would. The ESPN people are so mad with statement that they will not return to Auburn this year or next. Way to go barners…pickin’ a fight with ESPN…Brilliant!!!
Did ya’ll see how they led the show off with the quote from dabo that the reason they came to AU was because there were slim pickins, ESPN is pi$$ed!! You’ll see so much less about AU today on Gameday than you normally would for the home school!!
I think it sounds like whole-hog B.S., Wes, to be honest with you.
Wes,
I heard Alabama paid 1/2 their players. ESPN is coming out with a story next week. Saban also beats his wife.
I wish Saban would beat Roof about the head, face, and neck area.
Glad I’m not watching this. The newborn’s really helping out with the heartburn to getting whacked by the ACC. At least it’s a nonconf. I guess!
This isn’t going well…I actually stopped watching…Jerry, I’m afraid your 4th quadrant (worst case scenario) is coming true right now. Dysfunctional O combined with Dysfunctional D. They now have to become fully functional after the half or this is going to be a tough one to live down.
Please post something, anything that makes me feel better about this…
eh, don’t feel much better after that. I predict Auburn scores a td on this first drive and the game is decided by one score with both teams in the 30’s.
Dont conceed defeat yet Jerry. There is alot of football left to play. Cant fault the D when we have zero O in this game. What our first 1st down came at 8 minute mark in the 2nd quarter. Lets see what Mazahn can do……Is it too early to call for Trotter?
Reid,
You are not me.
Sorry, Reid, but getting outgained by 150 yards and out-first downed 17 to 6 doesn’t instill a lot of optimism in me. It’s not like the 17-3 lead is fluky somehow. Hope I’m wrong, but it’s going to take a 180-degree turnaround to pull this out.
Well how about those Ray Lewis commercials?
Saddest thing about Newton’s INT’s (at least the two that I’ve seen) is that he made good reads, but the ball just was out of place. The one would’ve been an easy 1st down, the second a touchdown.
If they pull this out at this point…it will be a miracle to Chizik’s credit. But that first half performance has made me a skeptic.
This has been one of the worst first half performances from an Auburn team I’ve seen in my life. Getting owned by an ACC team (yeah, we know they are fired up, but still) is just disgraceful. I feel there is a problem with our program…it just isn’t working. We seem to be moving backwards.
Ok so I was a drive off.
And there we go! One well-placed ball and we are in the endzone just a few plays later.
Tie BallGame Folks….Told ya.
YOU GOTTA BELIEVE
I wish we had done in the first half what we’ve been doing in the second half. We can’t let anything like this happen against any SEC team this year. Thank god we may squeek out of this one…but, good god!
Ok, we aren’t doing well, but these refs are very, very bad.
That’s two drive-extending pass interference flags.
Yeah, but it should not be close…not close enough for bad ref’ing to make a difference. If we lose this one, I won’t blame it on bad ref’ing, even though it is very bad.
Sad thing is Tubberville is holding last years runners up to 14 points. When do you think Chizik will take over the d and put roof as a position coach?
“But that 15 minutes made a lot of the things I wrote below look pretty dumb, huh?”
No, not really. We got way too far behind in the first half. We can’t have a 9 or 10 win season based on what we are seeing here. It’s just not possible. This is a very bad game by Auburn…no excuses.
This is just horrendous.
I am absolutely embarrassed to be an auburn fan. My high school runs better offense and defense. And we look like a bunch of redneck with the clock not working all day. We just got electricity!
It’ll be a miracle is we squeak out a win with a field goal. I really think we are headed toward a tie-braker….or a tie. WooHoo!
Nah….we are actually fighting for our lives in OT against Clemson on our own home team…shades of 2008.
sorry, I meant ‘our own home turf’…to hell with it, you know what I meant.
We are gonna GIVE this damn ballgame away.
Oh thank God.
WIDE EIDE WIDE3 WIDE WAR DAMN EAGLE IT’S WIDE WIDE WIDE
KICK THE BALL AGAIN KICK IT AGAIN STRIKE UP THE BAND WAR EAGLE!
Yipee! We barely won against an ACC team on our own field because they missed a field goal that any other team in the nation would have gotten. Great year ahead us!
Gene Chizik seems happy with the D- game we just won by the skin of our teeth…I’m thinking a lot of Auburn people aren’t quit so jubilant.
Hey, the first half was terribly ugly, but Auburn won. We don’t really know how good Clemson is. Sure they are in the ACC, but who knows they could win it.
Well, I guess HC takes over DC, if he want to still have a J O B. Boulware out while you are getting rid of the garbage. I dont want to over react, but Fairley and Byrnes are the only defensive players that should be playing at this point. Freshmen and sophomores. We are not going to be good in SEC play. We need to look to a brighter future. Roof and Boulware are not in that future.
Ok, here’s my Saturday night knee-jerk…I think a replay of 2008 is our best case scenario. We have a deeply flawed program that is nowhere near close to upper-half SEC level of play. 3 games in and nothing really works at all. There is no excuse for the way we played tonight…and no, we don’t have a good season ahead of us. I guess we’ll take what we can get this year.
Geez, guys. We won. Hell of a game. Came back from 17 points. Obviously Clemson was the hungrier, more intense team in the first half. Our guys made 18 bushels of big mistakes and still won. I’m happy we won. I’ll worry about the rest of the schedule when it happens. Enjoy the damn thing. A better third-and-two play on that 4th quarter drive would’ve been nice, but we won. Auburn won against a quality team, and that’s a good thing any way you slice or dice it. Much work to do, no doubt. But dammit, enjoy it!
Remember 2004 guys?
Auburn kind of sputtered. Then they went to LSU, fought a war*, and won 10-9.
After that, it was lights out the rest of the year.
Have faith guys. I believe in Auburn, and love it.
(*Kirk Herbstreit)
I hear you guys…but we need some drastic improvement. We didn’t play like a top 20 team tonight….I’m sorry, but we didn’t. And this is 3 games in with a home field advantage. We didn’t actually win…Clemson lost. And I’m not taking anything away from Clemson…they were the better team tonight…they just got a bad break.
BTW, if our team had quit…had not fought back, I don’t think we’d be looking at a 6-6 season…like I now think we are going to get…I think we would be looking at a 5-7 season. Yes, our guys fought back against a team we should have stayed with…at least within on touchdown the entire game.
Yes we won…but don’t count on a 9 or 10 game winning season. Let’s pray we have a winning season at all…that’s the best we are going to do this year.
Like momma always said.
If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.
At least not on Game day!
I see a lot of complaints here. You guys need to take a breathe. Auburn didn’t squeak this one out. AU outgained Clemson for the GAME – not just the second half.
Yes, Cam made some errors and as we have heard, 1) this is his first time to lead a D1A team — much less in the SEC, 2) as a starting college QB he has never had to fight advertisty in a game, and 3) Malzahn has noted his tendency to learn from his mistakes and not make them again.
Clearly the 2nd half was the result of coaches and players making corrections. I can live with that with a 1st year starter at QB.
I haven’t even touched on the defensive adjustments in the second half. I’ll say this for Ted Roof – the man knows how to pull the levers once he has some data, because if not for two phanton interference penatlies, it’s a shutout in the second half.
We won. Deal with it.
Now on to some business: I want any students reading WER/WBE to mobliize because I need a “yes we caM” poster for my office by Monday.
PLZ AND THX!
Anyone think the double clutch snap was intentional? Best case for Clemson= they get the offsides by Auburn (which was the initial call) and first down inside the 10. Worst case= they kick from 5 yards back. It looked fishy to me, never trust a Clemson person.
I think they’ll end up being a better team than people think they are now, these Clemson turkeys. We might, too. But if we continue play like this Sakkerlina’s going to WTFBBQPWN us. I can deal with that, but if we have to eat losses to Petrino and THE HAT and Dead Richt Walking But For AU Thrashing, I’m going to cry little girl tears.
In other news OLE MISS LOLLERSKATES.