AU program on solid ground

[DonAU1124]

AU program on solid ground

Posted by Phillip Marshall, The Huntsville Times September 19, 2007 11:43 AM

It's obvious where Auburn's football team is right now - plagued with all sorts of problems and seemingly headed for a disappointing season. Realistically, even having a winning record might be too much to ask.

But the most pressing issue isn't the state of Tommy Tuberville's ninth Auburn football team. It is the state of his program.

Anyone who looks with any degree of objectivity and knowledge knows that Auburn's program is solid. There's not a hint of scandal. Players go to class. Players graduate. For the most part, they stay out of trouble. Going into this season, Auburn was 35-5 in its last 40 games. It had won 21 of 24 SEC games and eight of nine from teams ranked in the top 10. It had the third best record in Division IA from 2004-2006.

If that's not good enough, then nothing any coach ever does at Auburn is going to be good enough.

Like it or not, the presence of Nick Saban on the other side of the state has changed the landscape. It's not easy to be Auburn and never has been, just like it's not easy to be Texas A&M, Michigan State, Georgia Tech, Oklahoma State and other similarly situated schools.

Saban arrived last January and sparked the dangdest media frenzy I've seen. It continues today, and it's not just in this state. I read just today where Tom Lemming, yet another self-proclaimed "expert," said it wasn't a matter of if but when Saban wins a national championship at Alabama. Maybe he's right. Maybe it's that certain. Saban, after all, won one at LSU in 2003.

But in 10 seasons at LSU and Michigan State, that was one of two times he lost fewer than three games. He lost five or more five times, half of his seasons as a college head coach. Tuberville doesn't have a national championship because his 2004 team didn't win the popularity contest, but Saban doesn't have a perfect season.

It's easy to overstate the importance of one game or one season. When Alabama and wildly popular coach Dennis Fanchione beat Auburn 31-7 at Jordan-Hare Stadium in 2001, it was widely viewed as a sign that Alabama was headed for great days and Auburn was headed downward.

Alabama hasn't beaten Auburn since.

The point is that, while Tuberville's job is hard, it's not impossible. Auburn has terrific talent in its lower classes. Every point this season has been scored by a freshman or a sophomore. Tuberville has shown he can recruit and has shown he can build a program. He has done it the right way. He cares deeply for the young men who come his way and they return that affection. His program is one of the nation's best.

A bad start doesn't change that. Neither would a bad season.


It's Great to be an AUBURN TIGER!

[dcbama]

It's easy to overstate the importance of one game or one season. When Alabama and wildly popular coach Dennis Fanchione beat Auburn 31-7 at Jordan-Hare Stadium in 2001, it was widely viewed as a sign that Alabama was headed for great days and Auburn was headed downward.



I don't think anyone considered the 2001 Iron Bowl as any kind of tell tell sign for Alabama's future success. We were six months away from probation and while no one knew the exact penalties, everyone knew we'd get hit pretty hard with something and it would be a rough few years for the Tide. What he wrote is just stupid.

[timNem]

I don't think anyone considered the 2001 Iron Bowl as any kind of tell tell sign for Alabama's future success. We were six months away from probation and while no one knew the exact penalties, everyone knew we'd get hit pretty hard with something and it would be a rough few years for the Tide. What he wrote is just stupid.

Phillip Marshall has never been accused of using logic in his articles.

[Jay Bee]

Phillip Marshall has never been accused of using logic in his articles.

He can't help being a bama grad...:thumpsup:

WDE!
jb

[azamugg]

dang Auburn, Im empathetic to your somewhat pathetic start but.....I don't think many Bama fans are rubbing your face in it, as a fan if you need to pump yourself up and be optimistic, great! but theres no need to propagandize your efforts in such a way......just a little too juvenile of an article fer me

[dcbama]

He can't help being a bama grad...:thumpsup:

WDE!
jb


Well, he wanted to be a columnist and one has to be able to read and write complete and coherent sentences to do that. A sociology degree from Farm U wouldn't really help him achieve that.

[Jay Bee]

Well, he wanted to be a columnist and one has to be able to read and write complete and coherent sentences to do that. A sociology degree from Farm U wouldn't really help him achieve that.

Wow. That stings...:laugh: Nice run on sentence... D-

WDE!
jb

[joe]

Phillip Marshall is a delusional barn loving tool

[BamaDude06]

There's not a HINT of scandal?
Thats funny.

[dcbama]

Wow. That stings...:laugh: Nice run on sentence... D-

WDE!
jb

Not a columnist. I got my degree in finance.

[Jay Bee]

Not a columnist. I got my degree in finance.

Good for you! Now, lemme have fries with that order..

WDE!
jb

btw, you do realize that this article was posted on the Auburn section of sectalk,eh?

[WarEagle73]

I think the point of his story is that wile Auburn is down Tubberville can and will turn it around. If he could fix what Bowden left then he can do this. The other point of the story is that wile Saban is a good coach with a solid record he isn't the second coming of Bear Bryant. In other words he's trying to say that things aren't as bad @ Auburn or as good @ Bama as some folks seem to think. I know most Bama fans on here (with some exceptions such as Perry & Sabama) know that. Most of the posts I've seen on here from the Bama fans are level headed in the way they approach their success thus far this season.

[AUChamps]

Phillip Marshall is a delusional barn loving tool
Oh and Paul Gattis doesn't do the same damn thing for the Crimson Tide? Gimme a break.

[aufan]

! but theres no need to propagandize your efforts in such a way......just a little too juvenile of an article fer me

then dont read it...maybe this is for AU fans since it is in the Auburn forum

[azamugg]

then dont read it...maybe this is for AU fans since it is in the Auburn forum

your advice is sound, but my post is evidence that I already had read it so really your advice was too late

[aufan]

azamugg: not trying to start anything or be ugly, just saying that the guy puts this positive article on auburn, and I am guessing mainly for us AU fans, and u bash it....some AU fans need to read some positive things right now...:thumpsup:

[AUChamps]

Everyone that knows about the Huntsville Times understands that you have Phillip Marshall doing his thing for the Auburn sports beat, and Paul Gattis doing his thing for the Alabama sports beat. Give me time and I'll find numerous articles where Gattis is riding high on Saban's jockstrap and the state of the Crimson Tide program. What say you then?

[azamugg]

azamugg: not trying to start anything or be ugly, just saying that the guy puts this positive article on auburn, and I am guessing mainly for us AU fans, and u bash it....some AU fans need to read some positive things right now...:thumpsup:

and I was just having some fun bro

[GeauxTo]

AU program on solid ground!

When I saw the title, I thought, "This has to be a joke!"
And it is, but The Barners just don't get it.

Losing to South Florida and Mississippi State at home is not so bad... if you're Samford.
:sad:

[WarEagle73]

When I saw the title, I thought, "This has to be a joke!"
And it is, but The Barners just don't get it.

Losing to South Florida and Mississippi State at home is not so bad... if you're Samford.
:sad:

As a matter of fact we do get it. This is a young team that has got to grow up fast. I've seen every major SEC team go through what Auburn is going through right now. It wasn't that long ago that UAB came into Baton Rouge on a Saturday night and beat a Nick Saban lead team. But look @ LSU now. Remember a few years ago when Florida was winning at best 7 games a year? Alabama has only had a couple really good years in the last decade. Each and every SEC team that's on top right now can look back just a few years and see losing records and horrible losses. This team will grow and they will get better. Just like every other SEC has had to do time and again. Maybe then us "Barners" will get it. :glare:

[Miden]

As a matter of fact we do get it. This is a young team that has got to grow up fast. I've seen every major SEC team go through what Auburn is going through right now. It wasn't that long ago that UAB came into Baton Rouge on a Saturday night and beat a Nick Saban lead team. But look @ LSU now. Remember a few years ago when Florida was winning at best 7 games a year? Alabama has only had a couple really good years in the last decade. Each and every SEC team that's on top right now can look back just a few years and see losing records and horrible losses. This team will grow and they will get better. Just like every other SEC has had to do time and again. Maybe then us "Barners" will get it. :glare:



Amen to that. For anyone to look at Auburn right now and say that the program is dragging the ground and wont bounce back is just foolish. If we can get into more of a rhythm and have some things actually go our way then this season could easily be turned into a decent one. You cant have everything go good for you every season.

Besides, our squad is very young, and who knows what great things they are capable of doing in the next few seasons.

[Sabama]

As a matter of fact we do get it. This is a young team that has got to grow up fast. I've seen every major SEC team go through what Auburn is going through right now. It wasn't that long ago that UAB came into Baton Rouge on a Saturday night and beat a Nick Saban lead team. But look @ LSU now. Remember a few years ago when Florida was winning at best 7 games a year? Alabama has only had a couple really good years in the last decade. Each and every SEC team that's on top right now can look back just a few years and see losing records and horrible losses. This team will grow and they will get better. Just like every other SEC has had to do time and again. Maybe then us "Barners" will get it. :glare:

whatever it takes to make you feel better....aubie in denial :biggrin2:

[WarEagle73]

whatever it takes to make you feel better....aubie in denial :biggrin2:

That has to be one of the most asinine statements even from a little insignificant mental midget such as you. Who is denying that we've had a terrible season so far?!? If your going to come into the Auburn board to spout your drivel then at least make some attempt to have even a snippet of reality interposed in your otherwise absurd posts. :thumbsdow

[Sabama]

ok, your one play away from being 0-3. Spin it off however it makes you feel better but thats the fact. Al Borges is fat, lazy and over-rated. He rode the coatails of a talented senior class. The offense has been a train wreck ever since. Starting an inept QB like B.C. is proof enough that he is in over his head. There is a reason he didn't get any head coaching offers after that 13-0 season. Those who know....know he's not all that. Kodi Burns looks promising but its just sad that they have to jump past Fields & others to a true freshman.

[AUChamps]

ok, your one play away from being 0-3. Spin it off however it makes you feel better but thats the fact. Al Borges is fat, lazy and over-rated. He rode the coatails of a talented senior class. The offense has been a train wreck ever since. Starting an inept QB like B.C. is proof enough that he is in over his head. There is a reason he didn't get any head coaching offers after that 13-0 season. Those who know....know he's not all that. Kodi Burns looks promising but its just sad that they have to jump past Fields & others to a true freshman.
He's a step up from Hugh Nall. And Hugh Nall was a big step DOWN from Bobby Patrino. BTW, Bobby is now suffering in NFL HELL thanks to Dogkiller Vick gone from the Falcons and therefore leaving the team with ZERO offense.

Let Patrino suffer for a couple seasons in NFL HELL. It did Carroll well, ditto Spurrier and Nick Saban. If nothing else, it'll snap that nomad/nothing is good enough for me complex that Patrino has. I'm glad we didn't hire him in 2003 because he would've just left for the NFL after a couple seasons anyway.

When Tubs decides to retire on his own will(thank you Tubs for scoring such a huge buyout), then we can talk new coaches. Maybe by then, Patrino will even be a changed man from his 2003 persona. Being a failed NFL coach has a way of making you an even better college football coach then you were before you went to the Pros.

Something to think about...

[Sabama]

I agree...Patrino would have bolted for Atlanta regardless. Your best bet is to catch him on the rebound...alla...Spurrier/Saban/Carol

[aufan]

at least make some attempt to have even a snippet of reality interposed in your otherwise absurd posts. :thumbsdow

You are asking sabama to do the impossible.....reality?....he has none(along with something upstairs)....just ignore the troll like everybody else is starting too

[TigerEyes1914]

This has got to be the funniest thread that I have read since come here!:laugh: Just the mention of AU having a 'solid program' brought all of this negative attention from our cross-state cousins and our bayou buddies?? Why in the world would there be soooo many bengals and elephants stalking a tiger forum?? I think that even with a 1-2 start you fellas are scared of us! :ohmy: You both have too many flashbacks of your teams riding high with good seasons and 'the best talent'(ahem) but getting beat by us. You guys are watching everything we say and do because deep down in places you dont talk about at parties:glare:, you know we have the talent and the coaching to turn this thing around. And you both are hoping and praying :unsure: that it doesnt happen the Saturday that we meet. Well dont get comfortable fellas, cause you know its coming:ph34r:!

[thethird]

This has got to be the funniest thread that I have read since come here!:laugh: Just the mention of AU having a 'solid program' brought all of this negative attention from our cross-state cousins and our bayou buddies?? Why in the world would there be soooo many bengals and elephants stalking a tiger forum?? I think that even with a 1-2 start you fellas are scared of us! :ohmy: You both have too many flashbacks of your teams riding high with good seasons and 'the best talent'(ahem) but getting beat by us. You guys are watching everything we say and do because deep down in places you dont talk about at parties:glare:, you know we have the talent and the coaching to turn this thing around. And you both are hoping and praying :unsure: that it doesnt happen the Saturday that we meet. Well dont get comfortable fellas, cause you know its coming:ph34r:!

Couldn't have put it better myself. Bama fans are the first ones to accuse AUBs of being obsessed with the cross state team. Yet this thread (within AUBURN'S BOARD) proves that Bammers are just the same. IT'S A RIVALRY! I wouldn't expect anything less.

[Sabama]

You are asking sabama to do the impossible.....reality?....he has none(along with something upstairs)....just ignore the troll like everybody else is starting too

Congratulations aufan....Your contributions are so insightfull. If bashing bama fans helps to ease your pain, have at it.

[thethird]

I think Sabama and shk should get a room.

[Sabama]

The funny thing about it is that you have no arguement after I stated the facts about Borges and your inept offense. If AU is so solid, why are they so decimated by a few injuries? Why is your starting RB flunking out of school? Face it, Tubby put it on cruise control after he signed his latest contract. If it wasn't for Will Muschamp, the aubies would REALLY be in a world of pain.

[timNem]

I think Sabama and shk should get a room.

what? why do you say that?

[aufan]

SABAMA: Like I have said before, PLEASE show me an example of where I bash bama fans .....all I have ever done is respond to stuff about YOU, not bama or anybody else, (which is the only thing that you do), which I now realize is bringing myself down to your pathetic level..so I will stop...PLEASE show me bashing bama fans...I would love to see an example....you will not find because I havent....please just grow up

[Sabama]

I just looked at aufans posts...the one liners are getting old. Not sure what I said to burst your bubble. Isn't it past your bedtime little buddy? Time to sign off and try again tomorrow.

[aufan]

Thats what I thought...no examples...you dont even know what in the hell you are talking about...nice:thumpsup: