Defensive Notes

[TigerEyes1914]

Here are your top defensive producers from the New Mexico State game. Players are given points for doing significant things correctly. They are docked points for missing assignments, missing tackles, penalties or loafing:

FROM NMSU GAME:
CB Jerraud Powers -- 27
SS Zac Etheridge -- 26
DE Sen'Derrick Marks -- 20
CB Pat Lee -- 17
DE Courtney Harden -- 16
SS/LB Eric Brock -- 13

**Missing in Action are Quentin Groves and Jonathan Wilhite although he had 2 INTs.

Here are your team defensive goals for the AU-NMSU game. They weren't posted earlier this week:

Win: YES, 55-20
Allow 13 pts or less: NO, 20
Allow 3.3 yards per carry or less: YES, 3.3
Allow 5.0 yards per pass or less: NO, 5.69
Create at least 3 turnovers: YES, 6
Allow no big plays (defined as 15+ rush or 20+ pass): YES on run (0); NO on pass (4)
Allow no TDs inside "red area": YES
Force opponent to convert less than 30% on 3rd down: NO, 47%

Also, NMSU's YAC (yards after catch) number was 51!!! What an improvement over the first 3 games. Perhaps we have learned to tackle again.

I'm gonna predict that the AU defense plays very good against the Gators and the offense protects the ball and makes enough catches to win the game 21-17!

WDE!!!

[WarEagle73]

Good research there Tigereyes. I do think folks are selling Auburn somewhat short on this game. This team had to learn some pretty tough lessons in a short span on time but I do think they are improving. Through our four games thus far we have lost two due to our own mistakes. These mistakes are correctable, it isn't as though Auburn suddenly has found itself sans good players. This team has play makers and game changers. The problem thus far is that most of these are young and thus make mistakes. This is still a quality SEC caliber team. :thumpsup:

[iHatebama]

Good stuff, WDE!

[TigerEyes1914]

Absolutely WE73! I really believe this team has the potential to be special if they can learn two things: 1) how to win and 2) how to trust each other. Like you said, the talent is there but they dont trust each other yet. Groves' comments this week about him not playing within the defensive scheme that was called is evidence of a great player not trusting his team and trying to overcompensate for team mistakes. He is such a great leader and admitted his errors openly. I expect to see a dominate Groves in the Swamp. If the CBs play well then we have a good chance especailly with Blackmon back. How do you think our young o-line will hold up? You think they can make enough holes for at least one of our RBs to gain 100 yards on the ground?

[WarEagle73]

How do you think our young o-line will hold up? You think they can make enough holes for at least one of our RBs to gain 100 yards on the ground?


That right there is the $64,000 question. I hate to say, but there is no way to know how they'll play. This is the first road game for three starting freshmen on the offensive line. The noise will be incredible They will not hear the snap count so Auburn will more than likely go with a silent count. We might see new Auburn legends christened Saturday night or we might see young players getting valuable lessons on playing SEC road games. Either way, those young players are the key to the game. If they give Cox (or Burns) the protection they need and open holes for the running game then we have a good chance to pull an upset.

[TigerEyes1914]

AU has been working on their whisper count all week instead of piping noise into their practices, but you're right, that atmosphere could get the best of our young guns. But they way they have played thus far, this could very well be the christening of a legendary o-line for us. You know it's kinda funny...when was the last time that a major game was coming up and there was virtually no press or even mention of our RBs or the running game?? Tate has impressed me these past few games. He seems to be running harder but his vision still needs work.

[WarEagle73]

AU has been working on their whisper count all week instead of piping noise into their practices, but you're right, that atmosphere could get the best of our young guns. But they way they have played thus far, this could very well be the christening of a legendary o-line for us. You know it's kinda funny...when was the last time that a major game was coming up and there was virtually no press or even mention of our RBs or the running game?? Tate has impressed me these past few games. He seems to be running harder but his vision still needs work.


It has been a wile since our running game was this far under the radar. I think that might work to our advantage. I think the combo of Tate & Fannin will progress into something similar to Brown & Williams. When you add Tristan Davis into the mix it just gets better. I think we'll probably see more of Davis this week than Tubberville has indicated.

[TigerEyes1914]

I do hope we get to see Tristan in action. They keep talking like he's really not ready to return punts yet but I figure if they're taking him to the Swamp, they plan on using him. Besides Pat Lee needs a break! He's gonna be chasing speedy receivers all night (i hope not literally though :unsure:)

[C_hris]

Here are your top defensive producers from the New Mexico State game. Players are given points for doing significant things correctly. They are docked points for missing assignments, missing tackles, penalties or loafing:

FROM NMSU GAME:
CB Jerraud Powers -- 27
SS Zac Etheridge -- 26
DE Sen'Derrick Marks -- 20
CB Pat Lee -- 17
DE Courtney Harden -- 16
SS/LB Eric Brock -- 13

**Missing in Action are Quentin Groves and Jonathan Wilhite although he had 2 INTs.

Here are your team defensive goals for the AU-NMSU game. They weren't posted earlier this week:

Win: YES, 55-20
Allow 13 pts or less: NO, 20
Allow 3.3 yards per carry or less: YES, 3.3
Allow 5.0 yards per pass or less: NO, 5.69
Create at least 3 turnovers: YES, 6
Allow no big plays (defined as 15+ rush or 20+ pass): YES on run (0); NO on pass (4)
Allow no TDs inside "red area": YES
Force opponent to convert less than 30% on 3rd down: NO, 47%

Also, NMSU's YAC (yards after catch) number was 51!!! What an improvement over the first 3 games. Perhaps we have learned to tackle again.

I'm gonna predict that the AU defense plays very good against the Gators and the offense protects the ball and makes enough catches to win the game 21-17!

WDE!!!


What is your signiture about guy???

[TigerEyes1914]

My signature is about the great history and tradition that our (AU & UGA) schools have.

[Sabama]

well...if B. Cox can keep it under 4 turnovers (your average) they may have a chance. I seriously doubt it though. What did Cox do on his 1st posession last week?...doh!.....yeah I expect more of that and a blow out by the Gators <CHOMP>

[TigerEyes1914]

Well to be fair to Cox, he and the center had not practiced together since it was a new center and Burns was taking snaps from him all week. After that first bad exchange he looked pretty good though.