From SportingNews' Tom Dienhart's SportingBlog on Auburn

[geechee]

Dienhart's SportingBlog
Auburn is just that good
May 15, 2006

Today's preview is the first in a team-by-team look at the SEC. Coming on Wednesday: Alabama.

Start with a loaded backfield. Add a strong line with a stout defense. Throw in a favorable schedule. What do you have? An Auburn team that might be capable of perfection for the second time in three years. Yeah, it could be that good.

Repeat after me: War DAMN Eagle!

You better believe it, Big Al. You, too, Uga, Mike and Smokey. Aubie will be king of the SEC. In fact, Auburn could win the whole shootin' matching. I'm talking BCS champion.

But that shouldn't come as news to you. This is a program that has won 22 of its last 25 games, including 16 of 17 SEC contests.

War DAMN Eagle!

Check it out: Auburn has the SEC's best collection of running backs. No, wait . . . Auburn has the NATION'S best collection of running backs, augmented by a blossoming quarterback and strong line. The defense overdoses on speed and athletic ability.

And then there's that schedule: LSU, Florida and Georgia all visit the Plains. The biggest hurdle? At Alabama. But Bama knows who its daddy is. Yeah, that's right: It's Aubie, the four-time defending Iron Bowl champs.

War DAMN Eagle!

Are there questions? Are there concerns? Sure. Some receivers need to step up, and the defense is working with its third coordinator in three years. But those aren't things Tommy Tuberville can't smooth out.

You remember Tubs, don't you? He's the coach Auburn wanted to dump a few years ago. Don't try to figure it out, just know this: Tubs is the SEC's best coach.

Yeah, life is sweet on the Plains. Go ahead, grab that roll of Charmin, warm up your arm and mosey down to Toomer's Corner. You're gonna need the practice. It's gonna be a fun fall.

War DAMN Eagle!

[nooneLT]

Check it out: Auburn has the SEC's best collection of running backs. No, wait . . . Auburn has the NATION'S best collection of running backs, augmented by a blossoming quarterback and strong line. The defense overdoses on speed and athletic ability.




i like many other teams would have to disagree with that statement.

[goallthewayua]

Check it out: Auburn has the SEC's best collection of running backs. No, wait . . . Auburn has the NATION'S best collection of running backs, augmented by a blossoming quarterback and strong line. The defense overdoses on speed and athletic ability.

I agree noone, I will agree that Auburn has one of the best collections of running backs in the SEC, but LSU's and our's isn't bad either. Plus Auburn's schedule isn't as easy as this guy is letting on. Who ever does Auburn's scheduling needs to realize that they need a cupcake first game to have a great season and even though Washington State was 4-7 last year they have a better chance to upset Auburn then a lot of people give them credit for. Look at their losses from last year. In every game they had a chance with the exception of USC.

at Oregon State 33-44

Stanford 21-24

#12 UCLA 41-44OT

at #25 California 38-42

at #1 USC 13-55

Arizona State 24-27

#11 Oregon 31-34

Plus they beat a good Nevada team and won at Washington. I'm not saying they will win or even that I would give them a 60%(lose)-40 shot (more like 85-15), but they do have a chance and Tuberville would be smart not to look ahead to the next week at Mississippi State or the LSU game. Anyway, as much as it pains me to admit I've got LSU picked to win the West and play Tennessee in the championship game. I've got Auburn picked second in the West.

[blues_cap]

i would have to say arkansas has the best collection of backs with mcfadden, jones, and the oft-forgotten peyton hillis. hillis puts them over the top as he can run, catch out of the backfield and block. im not sure any team has as quality as a 1-2 punch as ark plus a back as versatile as hillis. jmo.

[CRIMSONWHITE]

i like many other teams would have to disagree with that statement.

I agree noone, what have the other backs other than Irons done to garner that high praise? I would take our group of backs over Allbarn all day long. It's funny to me that there are so many writers at publications that have no clue.

[GeauxTo]

I agree noone, what have the other backs other than Irons done to garner that high praise? I would take our group of backs over Allbarn all day long. It's funny to me that there are so many writers at publications that have no clue.
Well, we sort of agree. The Barn stuff is all just plain funny because it is so preposterous. Certainly, Irons doesn't a running game make. I would pick Arkansas as the best overall running game; I think McFadden is better than Irons, plus they do have others as well. Also, I like our Alley Broussard and his bevy of speedsters that accompany him in the backfield. Broussard is a bruiser, and look for him to pile up some yardage this year. I'm not sure about Bama, but I do know that they almost always can be expected to produce a good running game. And, of course, Florida is not without running talent, and I expect Tennessee will have theirs, and, of course, UGA will come out running as well. So, to say that The Barn has the best running game is pretty much not the way it really is.

[geechee]

The guy has not been looking at the full picture but he says he is going to post on every team in the conference so at least he will give us something to discuss and argue about for a while and you gotta love that. I will post them as he puts them up.

[BAMA NATE]

Well, we sort of agree. The Barn stuff is all just plain funny because it is so preposterous. Certainly, Irons doesn't a running game make. I would pick Arkansas as the best overall running game; I think McFadden is better than Irons, plus they do have others as well. Also, I like our Alley Broussard and his bevy of speedsters that accompany him in the backfield. Broussard is a bruiser, and look for him to pile up some yardage this year. I'm not sure about Bama, but I do know that they almost always can be expected to produce a good running game. And, of course, Florida is not without running talent, and I expect Tennessee will have theirs, and, of course, UGA will come out running as well. So, to say that The Barn has the best running game is pretty much not the way it really is.

We are in full agreement for a change. But...the Tide is going to have a beast of a running game just so you know and can be sure. Back on topic, all this Auburn hype is a bit much. As a Tide fan I will admit they have a very good team but a BCS title contender I strongly doubt. I'm not sure what the media is seeing in Brandon Cox but he is no Vince Young or Matt Leinart. Of course they love Irons because he is a classic mouth but also backs it up. Is all this hype payment for AU getting "screwed" in '04? The statement about their running game proves this guy's ignorance. They have Kenny Irons and who else? A bunch of average guys that can't stay healthy. Their defense will be a typical stingy SEC unit but they do have holes to fill. Another thing about AU is that they always seem to fail to win the biggest one of the season. It will be the same case this year with LSU knocking them off in O.T.

They will contend but I'm not even expecting so much as a Western division title.

[GeauxTo]

It will be the same case this year with LSU knocking them off in O.T.
They will contend but I'm not even expecting so much as a Western division title.
I really think we will take it to The Barn this year. In Jordan-Hare, the Bengal Tiger fans are generally louder than The Barn fans anyway, unless they do something spectacular. Look for them to be rather quiet this year, intimidated by the visitors from Baton Rouge, and the way we slap around their highly touted O, sacking Brandon like a rag doll and bottling Irons up like a Dr. Pepper.
:laugh:

[k_chapp]

C'mon geaux, INTIMIDATED? Say what you want, but nobody is going to be intimidated at home against you or anyone else. I have a lot of buddies that are LSU alumns, so I have a great deal of respect for LSU, but intimidated? Geaux to hell.

[GeauxTo]

C'mon geaux, INTIMIDATED? Say what you want, but nobody is going to be intimidated at home against you or anyone else. I have a lot of buddies that are LSU alumns, so I have a great deal of respect for LSU, but intimidated? Geaux to hell.
Lighten up, k. Those Mormons are getting to you.
:laugh:

[AUTiger94]

C'mon geaux, INTIMIDATED? Say what you want, but nobody is going to be intimidated at home against you or anyone else. I have a lot of buddies that are LSU alumns, so I have a great deal of respect for LSU, but intimidated? Geaux to hell.
:laugh: Bottle up irons? I hope you have a better game plan than last years Geaux! :laugh: NOBODY intimidates us!

[GeauxTo]

:laugh: Bottle up irons? I hope you have a better game plan than last years Geaux! :laugh: NOBODY intimidates us!
On our last visit to Jordan-Hare, I remember how loud the LSU fans were as we were walking up the ramp to get to our seats. I heard a couple of Auburn fans behind us say, "Geez! Can you imagine how loud it is in their stadium?" But we lost, 10-9 after leading the whole game. Coming down the ramp was much quieter from the LSU faithful.

[Noah.Dreams]

I really think we will take it to The Barn this year. In Jordan-Hare, the Bengal Tiger fans are generally louder than The Barn fans anyway, unless they do something spectacular. Look for them to be rather quiet this year, intimidated by the visitors from Baton Rouge, and the way we slap around their highly touted O, sacking Brandon like a rag doll and bottling Irons up like a Dr. Pepper.
:laugh:
Having traveled on the LSU alumni's bus from Atlanta to Auburn, I'll have to agree with you regarding the LSU noise. We had four buses of LSU fans out shout 80k Auburn fans in an LSU loss...

[Bburton86]

LSU fans rank #1 in overall insanity.

[GeauxTo]

LSU fans rank #1 in overall insanity.
Well... I resemble that remark.
:laugh: